Shoreline Community College signs landmark agreement with Cambodian University

Dancers perform during the signing ceremony for an agreement
between Shoreline Community College and
BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Shoreline Community College has signed a landmark agreement with BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“We’re very excited to be BELTEI’s first American partner,” Shoreline’s Interim President Daryl Campbell said. “BELTEI’s focus on the needs of students, the community and business and industry matches that of Shoreline Community College. 

“This agreement is another step forward in Shoreline’s internationalization initiative,” Campbell said. “One in three jobs in Washington is dependent on international trade. By addressing global competencies for our students, we better prepare them to find success in the global economy.”

BELTEI is a private university developed by BELTEI International Institute founded in 2002. President Ly Chheng is the founder and Director-General of the BELTEI group and President of BELTEI International University. BELTEI International Institutes have opened 13 campuses across Phenom Penh, Cambodia’s capital.

The agreement was signed April 22, 2014 during a ceremony at the main Phnom Penh campus. “The event was phenomenal and drew significant attention from the media in Cambodia,” Campbell said.

At the signing, President Chheng said the memorandum of understanding will help students obtain the knowledge and skills needed to compete in national and international labor markets, become good leaders and understand more about cultures and civilizations of other countries.

The agreement calls for:

• Sharing best practices in teaching, and learning to advance U.S.-Cambodia relations through higher education;
• Developing Khmer and English language and culture programs to promote cross-cultural understanding and global competencies;
• Increasing exchange of students between the U.S. and Cambodia to develop future leaders and global citizens who can meet the challenges of the 21st century;
• Increasing exchange of faculty to engage in joint research, curriculum development, and teaching methodologies to advance global education and initiatives;
• Increasing exchange of educational leaders and administrators to initiate global partnerships and identify resources to develop sustainable international programs; and
• Exploring other areas of mutual interest and agreement between BELTEI University and Shoreline Community College.

As a result of the agreement, Shoreline Executive Director for International Education Diana Sampson said that Shoreline could see Cambodian students on campus as early as this fall.

BELTEI was recognized with a prestigious TAYO ASEAN Award for their contribution to serving youth and the local community. TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) is a 10-country member organization based in the Philippines to promote social activities for community and youth.

BELTEI is an acronym of six major subjects: Business, Economics, Law, Tourism, English, and Information Technology. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in Business Administration, Arts and Humanities, Law and Social Sciences, Tourism and Hospitality and Technology and Science. They have established international exchanges and partnerships with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.