Month: May 2025

The field of psychology asks the simple yet crucial question: why do people behave the way they do?  Why do they feel the way they feel?  How can we influence the way that people act and feel?

For students to develop Mastery of Public Policy, they must recognize that public policy is also often about considering the way that people behave, and the things that they feel.  People’s feelings and behaviors are crucial to their engagement with public policy, from behaviors such as paying tax and complying with road rules, through to feelings such as national pride, and loyalty towards the King.

The field of political psychology looks beyond the individual, and asks why the population as a whole acts and feels the way it does.  In our study of political psychology, we use a range of psychological models and theories to consider the best ways in which public policy can influence the behavior and feelings of people; but also the ways in which the behaviors and feelings of people should influence public policy.

We examine these matters at a range of levels – from individual, to family, to nation – and in a range of circumstances, from positive issues like economic development, through to harmful national emergencies such as genocide and warfare.

Public policy is ultimately powerful because it affects people.  A Master of Public Policy must therefore understand the psychology of people, as individuals and in groups, in order to devise and assess public policy which can advance the welfare of those people, and the Kingdom as a whole.

On the morning of May 21, 2025, students from our Master of Science in Digital Economy and Master of Public Policy programs, along with staff from the NUM School of Public Policy, participated in the Learning Event led by Dr. NOP Kanharith, Director of the NUM School of Public Policy, at Sun and Moon Hotel, Phnom Penh.

The event was organized under the Ponlok Chomnes II program (PCII).

Studying Public Policy has been a transformative experience for me. It has not only deepened my understanding of how societies function and decisions are made but has also equipped me with the tools to think critically about the policies that shape people’s lives. Through this major, I have developed essential skills in policy analysis, strategic planning, and critical thinking skills – skills that are crucial for anyone aspiring to work in the public sector and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. 

In the face of Cambodia’s complex development challenges, this major provides the tools to create evidence-based and practical solution aligned with national and sub-national needs. It bridges theory and practice, preparing students to contribute to a more inclusive governance. I believe more Cambodian students should pursue this field to help build a sustainable future for our country.

Public Policy, as a part of Political Science, is developed through a Systematic Process that involves problem identification/reidentification, policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. It is influenced by various factors, including political ideologies, public opinion, economic considerations, and legal considerations.

The decisions and actions are taken by government bodies or authorities to address societal problems or improve the conditions of a country or community. It encompasses a wide range of issues, such as healthcare, education, taxation, transportation, technology, digital economy, financial technology, e-commerce, environmental regulations, social welfare, and economic development so on.

Cambodian government now uses public policy to promote the general welfare, ensure social justice, protect public health and safety, and provide essential services to citizens. Public policies can be enacted through legislation, executive orders, and regulations. The government also aims to address both long-term and immediate needs of society and are subject to continuous review and adjustment based on domestic, regional and international evolving trends and status-quos. 

Understanding and analyzing public policies are vital for government, citizens, policymakers, and researchers. Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of policies is necessary to assess their impact and make informed decisions about potential policy improvements or changes, particularly in monitoring and evaluation (M &E) as the tools needed.

In fulfillment of needs and desired outcomes of policies, citizens can engage themselves with public policy by participating in the democratic process, such as political choice, voting, contacting elected officials, joining advocacy groups, or providing feedback during public consultations. 

Professor Dr. Anthony Marinac teaches “Political Psychology” to the second-semester students of the Master of Public Policy at the National University of Management-School of Public Policy (NUM-SPP). 

On May 10, 2025, the National University of Management-School of Public Policy (NUM-SPP) held an online seminar with a focus on sharing experiences in writing master’s and doctoral theses. The session was aimed at students of the Master of Public Policy and Master of Science in Digital Economy programs, as well as doctoral students from NUM SGS. The seminar featured Mr. Hun Seyhakunthy as the speaker and was coordinated by Associate Professor Nop Kanharith.                            

Here is the biography of the speaker:

Mr. Hun Seyhakunthy is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Development Economics, concentrating on human capital accumulation in developing countries. His specialized interests include industrial policy, firm-level productivity, and labor and education economics. Seyhakunthy has significant experience in coordinating and managing grants and projects funded by international organizations and government agencies dedicated to development cooperation, such as the Asia Foundation, USAID, Sida, SDC, UNDP, and Mekong-Lancang Cooperation. Additionally, he possesses skills in statistical analysis and data science and has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles, working papers, policy papers, and technical reports.

From Cambodia to Italy! One of our master’s students from the NUM School of Public Policy is embracing an exciting exchange experience at the University of Calabria (UNICAL) as part of the International Master of Science in Digital Economy program.

“Studying at UNICAL has been a great experience for me. Everything is so different from my home country, but in a good way. The university has a nice campus and the classes are interesting. I like the way the teachers teach they are friendly and explain things clearly. The culture here in Italy is very rich and beautiful. I enjoy the food, the lifestyle, and the way people enjoy their day. I’ve made some friends, both local and international. We learn together, travel, and have fun. I’m really happy to be part of this exchange program.”

Dr. Pheng Sokliep, lecturer of the course “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Smart City Planning” under the Master’s Program in Digital Economy at NUM School of Public Policy, guided his students through a presentation on Artificial Intelligence.

We are pleased to share photos of our Master’s students in Digital Economy presenting their insights on AI processing—exploring how intelligent systems learn, think, and operate.

Led by Dr. Pheng Sokliep, the discussion opened new perspectives on the future of AI in smart cities. We extend our gratitude to Dr. Pheng Sokliep and the students for their dedication and exceptional efforts in teaching and learning at NUM SPP.

NUM School of Public Policy-National University of Management, Veal Sbov International Campus

Pursuant to advice of H.E Prof. Hor Peng, Rector of the National University of Management, Associate Professor Nop Kanharith, Director of the NUM School of Public Policy paid a courtesy visit to the Asia Foundation Headquarter at San Francisco, California, USA on April 22, 2025 where he met Mr. Mark Keonig, Vice President of the Asia Foundation and had a wonderful conversation regarding cooperation and policy education in Cambodia.  

We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Mark of the Asia Foundation Headquarter for the warm hospitality. 

Associate Professor Nop Kanharith, Director of the School of Public Policy at the National University of Management (NUM SPP), conducted a study visit for international cooperation at the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP), University of California Berkeley, from April 21-22, 2025.

During the visit, Associate Professor Nop Kanharith conveyed the sincere regards from H.E. Professor Hor Peng, Rector of the National University of Management, to Professor David C. Wilson, Dean of GSPP, and expressed gratitude to the faculty members for their warm hospitality and sharing their experiences in program development.