The Strategic Plan of Zaman University for 2010 - 2015

 

 

 

1. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & QUALITY

 

Everyone demands quality university education in Cambodia. Students seek a distinctive tertiary education which facilitates ways to land on prestigious jobs not only locally but also abroad. Parents are in search for a high standard university which is at par with overseas universities. Public and private companies need potential employees to be equipped with a whole range of skills like critical thinking, good command of English, good communication and presentation, teamwork, self-driven and being able to work independently. In fact, there are a number of factors which result in excellence in university education. Zaman University will be strategizing its plans to achieve this excellence in line with the issues mentioned below:

 

A. Staff

 

Having considered the lack of skillful lecturer in Cambodia and the difficulties in attracting talented faculty staff from overseas, the university should set meticulous criteria in recruiting qualified staff to achieve high standard in degree programs.

The faculty staff should

  • - be promising academicians in their specialization field
  • - have had the history of guiding students successfully
  • - be equipped with modern pedagogical approaches especially with student-centered learning
  • - be well-informed in using IT as the university will be emphasizing on web-based learning
  • - being active in publishing their works in national and international magazines, journals and conferences
  • - foster a climate of intellectual expectation and achievement among colleagues and students
  • - be able to share their experience with colleagues and students in a challenging intellectual environment
  • - be dealing with strategic issues related to the development of Cambodia in the form of proposing projects and collaborating with government and non-government organizations.

The university will

  • - provide sufficient resources and assistance for content development and the use of technology in modules
  • - provide a challenging intellectual environment for the staff grounded in academic freedom
  • - communicate performance expectations and accountability for job descriptions
  • - provide uniform and constructive evaluation of faculty staff
  • - help in building bridges between the university staff and the industry
  • - provide professional development opportunities for both academic and administrative staff
  • - promote meaningful student-faculty interaction in and out of the classroom
  • - provide academic and administrative staff with competitive compensation, benefits and employee services

 

B. Students

 

The university should recruit students who have a certain level of intelligence in being able to study and understand concepts covered in modules. Having certain level of intelligence, highly-motivated and academically qualified students will help in creating a challenging intellectual environment on university campus. The university will conduct an entrance test to select these qualified students before new term starts. The test will also

  • - help the school to offer financial aid to students who are motivated, smart and hardworking but economically disadvantaged
  • - allow the university to gauge students' level of mathematics, sciences and English language and direct them into relevant programs

The world is rapidly moving into student-centered learning experience. This type of learning fosters students to take initiatives in learning. Students retain the knowledge acquired in this manner much longer. Research also suggests that students learn more when challenged. The university will design modules with modern methodologies which challenge students' understanding while improving their skills on critical thinking, working independently, communicating and presenting their ideas well and working in a team. University students need to be more independent and given free space to pursue their interests and to expand their social circle through student club activities. For this purpose, the university will recommend students to set up and join in club activities on campus. Students perform better and have more positive experiences when they are healthy and actively engaged in learning. Student clubs, indoor and outdoor activities, and collaboration with public and private companies will build students' character, foster their leadership and citizenship skills. The global world needs global citizens. Events with global themes, international collaboration with institutions, the presence of international students and staff, engaging prominent business and government leaders are key issues to expose students to diverse matters and cultures.

 

C. Preparatory School and Foundation Year

 

The university will have an English preparatory school for students who need to improve their English at all levels. After 1-year preparation, students should reach to the level in which they are able to converse well in the language and have good command of English. Students will sit for English Proficiency Test at the end of 1-year training. If they pass the test, they will start taking modules from their respective departments. If they cannot get a satisfactory result, they will have to take Advanced English modules from the English Preparatory School while studying in their departments until they are cleared from the test. After English preparation year, students will be studying foundation subjects to supplement their existing knowledge in areas which are related to their departments. This is necessary especially for students who did not understand or forgot their high school knowledge or did not have access to sufficient support in their high schools.

 

D. Usage of IT

 

There will be a high-speed access to the internet anytime and anywhere in the university building. Other than having lectures, project discussions and presentations in the building, module management for all the modules and happening around the campus will be announced online. Hence, students will be encouraged to have a laptop in effectively following up their course materials, assignments, submissions of documents, announcements etc. Every faculty staff will be given a desktop to manage their module by actively using the module website. They will have full access to e-library and other issues related to the university.

 

E. Learning Facilities

 

Staff and students will be provided with state-of-the-art computer and network environment. Students will work on their assignments and projects together with classmates in the university building and have access to rich resources in the library, e-library and school website. The school website will have necessary information about happenings at campus. The website will also provide a learning portal for each module for both student and staff. Civil engineering laboratory will facilitate students to effectively experiment their theoretical knowledge. Students and staff can find solutions to their administrative matters with student affairs, human resources and library via online. Besides providing quick food and drinks, the canteen also will be designed to assist in students’ learning.

 

F. Internships

 

The university should collaborate with industry and businesses to help them in their projects. Also, students should get first hand of experience of their field before they graduate. Therefore, the university will attach them to the companies in Cambodia to get their internships done. Upon completing their internship, students will be asked to share the learning experience with their peers and departments and be graded for this effort.

 

G. Learning Outcomes

 

The university will set up career service unit which will have close links with government and non-government organizations. The unit will provide students with job offers available in the market through career fairs to make sure that every graduate student lands on a prestigious post. At the end of the 5-year, the student affairs unit should report on the outcome of the first-batch of students in terms of their graduation success and full-time employment.

 

2. RESEARCH and SCHOLARSHIP

 

A. Faculty Staff

 

The university will encourage the faculty staff to deal with long-standing issues in Cambodia and provide alternative avenues for the development of the country. To achieve this target, the staff will be supported in their collaborations with industry, national and international tertiary institutions, government and non-government organizations, foundations and individuals. The university will also encourage the staff to increase the quality and quantity of publications and proposal. The university will strengthen academic staff, students and graduate programs, in many ways, to be able to compete for and draw research proposals.

 

B. Scholarship

 

The university will provide scholarship for outstanding and highly-motivated students who are from lower socio-economic level. It will also talk to agencies to find scholarship for needy and successful students at undergraduate and graduate level. The university will particularly be interested in and finding ways to get sponsorship for the projects which are strategic for the development of Cambodia.

 

C. Student Achievements

 

Students who have the potential in competing at national and international competitions will be encouraged and supported. They will be awarded according to the level of their accomplishment.

 

3. SERVICES and OUTREACH

 

A. Engagement with Public and Business

 

The university aims to become an economic, social and cultural catalyst for the developments in Cambodia. It will improve linkages between the university, and the community and industry. The University together with its students, academic and administrative staff will organize or join in ongoing projects which help the unfortunate and poor Cambodians. The university will be in touch with business and industry players for students to do their internships. To strengthen our close links, we will invite successful and exemplary individuals from public and private companies to share their success story with students. Career fairs and exhibitions will be held at campus for students. Companies will have a chance to select successful candidates for their business and also students will have a chance to know the business and industry world better before they graduate.

 

B. Continuing Education

 

Recognizing the fact that the quality education is an ongoing problem in Cambodia, Zaman University will organize workshops and teacher-training programs for high school and primary school teachers. Another outreach program will be for our potential high school students. They will be given opportunity to join in supplementary English, Mathematics and Science lessons. This will allow promising and underprepared students to perform better at the Entrance Examination. The University will also offer short courses to improve the skills of working professionals, business and industry groups upon request.

 

C. Service-centered Culture

 

The university will inform all the stakeholders about happenings on the campus regularly online and by post. The university will establish consistent facilities for quick repair and the improvement of the conditions of the surrounding. The reception unit will be friendly and adopt service-oriented approach.

 

4. RESOURCES and SUPPORT

 

A. Marketing

 

The university will emphasize on the image and the reputation of the university which is hankering after excellence in Cambodia and Asia-Pacific region in the next 5 years. This will, in return, support student and faculty recruitment, involve the university in the development of Cambodia, get our first graduates landed on prestigious jobs and improve a variety of skills of working adults through outreach and professional development programs. The university will widely publicize the achievements of student and staff. The university aims to foster a strong affinity with Cambodians and understanding of the contributions it will make to the quality of life and economic development in Cambodia.

 

B. Information Technology

 

Zaman University will continue to invest in its technology infrastructure. These investments will support improvements in library and student affairs management, course management, and internal and external communication.

 

C. Human Resources

 

Academic and administrative staff are the critical human capital for Zaman University. Their knowledge, skills and passion are essential to creating and maintaining the University's commitment to quality and excellence.