8 August 2025 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), through its Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM) Program, has launched a significant initiative to strengthen higher education in Cambodia by developing an advanced Master’s curriculum in Sustainable Aquaculture. This effort supports Cambodia’s transition toward climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable aquatic food systems through education and capacity building.
Led by Dr. Krishna R. Salin, Chair of the AARM Program at AIT, the project is being implemented in collaboration with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Faculties of the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and the Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture (PNIA). It focuses on curriculum design, outcome-based teaching and learning strategies, and faculty capacity development. Several universities in Cambodia have participated in the workshops conducted as part of this project since March 2025.
The newly designed Master’s program integrates an Outcome-Based Education (OBE) framework aligned with the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) and the Cambodian national higher education standards. Courses cover critical themes, including advanced aquaculture production systems, water quality analysis, aquatic animal health and welfare, food safety, environmental sustainability, business management, and ethical aquaculture practices.
“Beyond technical instruction, our goal is to enable Cambodian universities to produce a new generation of aquaculture professionals who are system thinkers, ethically grounded, and ready to lead sustainable aquaculture in the region,” said Dr. Salin. “This initiative will contribute to Cambodia’s national goals for food security, blue economy growth, and climate adaptation.”
The project also emphasizes a strong capacity development component through hands-on workshops, faculty mentoring, resource sharing, and institutional cooperation, further advancing AIT’s commitment to regional collaboration and higher education reform in Southeast Asia.
For more information about the AARM Program and its initiatives, please visit: www.aitaquaculture.org.
