A Voice for Cambodian Youth: Launch of the Francophone Gazette at URDSE
- Editorial team
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
On November 28, 2025, the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh proudly celebrated the birth of the Francophone Gazette. This bilingual French-Khmer review, entirely conceived and produced by students, highlights their work and ideas within the Francophone programs in law, economics, and management.
More than just a simple journal, it aims to be an unprecedented space for expression where young people can strengthen their writing skills and confidence in mastering French.
Support from Major Institutions
The Gazette came into being thanks to the support of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) as part of its call for projects in the Asia-Pacific region. IM Kravong, representative of AUF-Cambodia, emphasizes that this initiative contributes to promoting a dynamic scientific Francophonie in Cambodia while encouraging new generations to open up to the Francophone world.
The review also benefits from close partnerships between URDSE and the Ministry of Education, the private sector, as well as several local and international partner institutions.
A Unifying and Educational Team Effort
Behind each issue is a small team of volunteer students, supported by their teachers and French civic service volunteers. Kem Sokunnadavid, a final-year law student, testifies to the importance of this collective work, which fosters a true spirit of mutual aid and solidarity among students.
This hands-on experience in writing and collaboration also enhances the young people's professional skills through every stage of editorial production—research, writing, proofreading, and harmonization.
Historical Commitment to Francophonie in Cambodia
Since its creation in 1949 and its evolution into URDSE in 2003, the university has always been a key player in the development of the French language and Franco-Cambodian university cooperation.
With nearly 19,500 students and several relocated degrees from partner French universities, it trains a large Franco-Cambodian community. More than 2,000 Francophone graduates have thus emerged from URDSE, now working in various economic and legal spheres of the country. The Gazette thus fits into this tradition of excellence, strengthening the university's cultural and pedagogical influence.
A Key Player in Scientific Francophonie in Asia-Pacific
URDSE is an integral part of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie network, a true driver of scientific Francophonie in Asia-Pacific. This network implements concrete actions in training, cooperation, and student support, particularly through scholarship programs, teacher training missions, and pedagogical development projects.
This Franco-Cambodian cooperation benefits from strengthened support from France and European institutions, testifying to a deep and lasting academic partnership.
Digital Accessibility and Outreach
The Francophone Gazette is available in digital version, offering international visibility to students and their work. This innovative publication thus becomes a unifying tool that amplifies the voice of young Cambodian researchers and students, while promoting cultural and scientific exchanges within the Francophonie.
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