2021 Autumn Graduate Ceremony in Cambodia Satellite Campus

Phnom Penh--- On 27 September 2021, the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) of Nagoya University conducted an online graduation ceremony with overseas campuses. The ceremony started with an opening remark by Professor Akira Yamauchi, director of ASCI. It was followed by the congratulatory messages from Professor Akira Fujimaki, Vice President of Nagoya University, Professor Nobuyuki Hamajima, Designated Professor for the Graduate School of Medicine, Professor Satoru Tsuchikawa, Dean of the Graduate School of Bio-agricultural Sciences, and Professor Aya Okada, Dean of the Graduate School of International Development.
 
Five students of ASCI successfully obtained PhD degrees this September. Out of which two are from Cambodia.

1. Ms. Ong Socheath graduated from the Graduate School of Bio-agricultural Sciences

Title of PhD Dissertation: Occurrence, Distribution, Genetic Variability and Biological Properties of Bacterial Rice Pathogens in Cambodia

2. Ms. Mon Sreyleak graduated from the Graduate School of International Development

Title of PhD Dissertation: Essays on Exchange Rate Policies
 
At the graduation ceremony, they were asked to make presentations of their PhD research findings. In Cambodia, Ms. Sreyleak attended the ceremony from a hotel arranged by the ASCI Cambodia campus, with the participation of her family members. However, unfortunately, due to health condition, Ms. Ong Socheath was not able to attend the ceremony and her presentation was instead conducted by her academic advisor, Dr. Sotaro Chiba.
 
COVID pandemic affected our lives in many ways. Our program is not an exception. Under normal circumstances, professors can travel from Japan to Cambodia to provide in-person supervision and guidance at least once a year. Students can also travel from Cambodia to Nagoya University in Japan for schoolings for a certain period of time. However, these were impossible during COVID time. During the pandemic, students had to take risks to come to the workplace for conducting experiments and/or collecting data while the city was under partial lockdown. Despite all these odds, both students have worked very hard – with tireless supports and guidance from academic advisors and supporting staff – both have now become Dr. Ong Socheath and Dr. Mon Sreyleak.
 
Last but not least, congratulations to both Dr. Ong Socheath and Dr. Mon Sreyleak, for this big achievement. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and the next chapters of life.


                       Dr. Mon Sreyleak