Insight: Cambodia Journal of Basic and Applied Research

Science Workshop “Urban Quality of Life and the Build4People Citizen Science App” at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)

2025-02-11T08:50:34-07:00

The Science Workshop “Urban Quality of Life and the Build4People Citizen Science APP” jointly prepared and implemented by the Build4People Work Packages “Behaviour Change,” “Urban Green Infrastructures,” and “Sustainable Urban Transformation” took place at the CKCC (Cambodia-Korea Cooperation Center) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh on 4 December 2024. The workshop’s main objective was to link the Build4People project’s overarching theme, research, and enhancement of urban quality of Life in Phnom Penh with the B4P Citizen Science App. The App and its details are available at https://apps.apple.com/hr/app/build4people-citizenscience/ id6478510837 and and at the Google Playstore, as well.

Key impacts of celebrity endorsement in social media platforms on consumer purchase intention of the soft drink brands

2025-02-08T08:14:22-07:00

Due to the rapid global expansion of social media, consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive in their purchasing decisions. Currently, celebrity plays a crucial role in influencing consumer purchasing behavior. However, this area has not received much attention, which presents an opportunity for the current study to fill this gap. Therefore, this research aims to investigate how companies leverage celebrity brand congruence to enhance their appeal to customers. To achieve this objective, this paper explores the connection between social media, celebrity endorsements, and consumer behavior in an environment where transparency and authenticity are important. By using a quantitative analysis, we conducted an online survey with 564 participants from diverse demographics. The findings from Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) reveal significant relationships as follows: celebrity brand congruence positively influences attitude toward the brand; celebrity expertise correlates with attitude toward the brand; celebrity attractiveness impacts attitude toward the brand; and celebrity trustworthiness enhances attitude toward the brand. Interestingly, the study identifies a powerful connection between attitude toward the brand and purchase intention. Finally, the research provides significant implications for marketers and brands in terms of using the influence of celebrities in developing marketing strategies to promote their business.

Unveiling the Link Between Climate Change Perceptions and Migration: A Case Study in Takeo Province, Cambodia

2024-10-22T01:07:37-06:00

This study investigates the relationship between climate change perception and migration in Cambodia, a country highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The research focuses on Takeo province, located in the Mekong Delta. Data collection involved a mixed research method, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study findings reveal a perceived increase in average temperature over the past two decades but differing perceptions of annual average rainfall. Factors such as reliance on rainfed agriculture and limited access to irrigation contribute to this discrepancy and influence vulnerability to weather extremes. Socio-economic characteristics, including household head age and landholding size, impact migration decisions, with slow-onset environmental events playing a significant role. The study emphasizes the importance of environmental factors in migration decisions by enhancing the understanding of climate change perceptions and migration in Cambodia. Several recommendations are proposed to address these issues.

Effect of Season of Planting and Fertilizer Application on Cassava Production and Profitability in Upland Cropping Systems in the Southeast Cambodia

2025-02-03T23:59:00-07:00

The shift towards continuous mono-cropping of cassava and maize has led to soil degradation, loss of soil fertility, declining yield and profit for smallholder farmers in upland cropping areas of Cambodia. This requires the development of technologies for sustainable agricultural production in the uplands of Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces in Cambodia. However, studies regarding technology transfer have been published by various existing research, and none of the research has yet been conducted in Southeast Cambodia. This paper has investigated the effect of varying planting dates and fertilizer applications on cassava production and profit in South-Eastern Cambodia. Field experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of season of planting and fertilizer application on cassava fresh tuber yield and profitability in Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces. The experiment was arranged in a 2x2x2x4 Factorial Randomized Design Experiment with factor Province (Prey Veng, Svay Rieng); Season (early wet season: May-December, late wet season: August-April); and fertilizer (nil, plus). Measurements were taken for crop establishment (%) and yield of wet tuber (ton.ha-1). The profitability of experimental treatments was determined using gross margin analysis. The experimental result showed that the growth and production of cassava in Southeast Cambodia are influenced by planting area, planting time, and fertilization. Cultivating cassava in Svay Rieng Province results in higher growth, production, and profits than in Prey Veng Province. Cultivating cassava in the early wet season results in higher growth, production, and gross margins compared to the late wet season. Cassava is very responsive to fertilization but the application of fertilizer has not provided economic benefits on land conditions with low productivity. To increase cassava productivity and maintain soil fertility in South-Eastern Cambodia, it is necessary to select an appropriate planting area, plant during the early wet season and apply fertilization based on soil analysis. The application of intercropping and crop rotation is necessary in order to obtain fertile soil for optimal cassava growth and production.

Students’ Responses on the Application of Active Learning Strategies in Open and Distance Learning (ODL): A Study on Bangladesh Open University (BOU)

2025-01-07T23:06:37-07:00

This study tries to ascertain the reactions of students toward the implementation of active learning strategies in the open and distance learning (ODL) environment. In order to investigate the real situation of active learning in the ODL environment, two research questions have been formulated in relation to the research title. The study has opted for a mixed-method research design. Data has been collected from students through the use of survey questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 110 students completed the questionnaire in the survey. Convenience sampling was used to pick six students for FGD. The study’s findings indicate that faculty members are not consistently implementing active learning strategies due to institutional challenges and teachers’ personal motivation. Out of the 18 chosen active learning strategies, only a small number have been frequently used in the present classroom. About 50% of the active learning strategies are employed intermittently, and the remaining strategies are hardly or never used. The students express contentment with the implemented active learning practices in the classroom.

The teacher's perspective on effective of mathematic teaching at primary school in Cambodia

2024-11-22T23:57:23-07:00

The research paper examines mathematics teaching and learning outcomes in primary schools in Cambodia. It highlights the importance of quality education in fostering student development and addresses challenges such as academic performance disparities and learning loss. The study emphasizes the need for effective teaching strategies, formative assessment, and differentiated instruction to enhance mathematical proficiency and overall educational achievement. The fieldwork occurred from June to July 2023 in four districts of Kampong Chhnang province. A sample size of 278 teachers from 4 study districts were selected, and individual face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative methods such as the Weighted Average Index (WAI), t-tests, and chi-squared tests with qualitative methods like desk reviews and interviews with stakeholders in the education sector. The WAI assessed teachers' perceptions of mathematics education and students' learning outcomes. T-tests were used to explore gender differences in perceptions, and chi-squared tests were used to examine associations between respondent gender and teaching practices. The study highlights that primary school teachers' evolving perceptions towards teaching mathematics emphasizes the need for support to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. Teachers employed alternative strategies, prioritized conceptual understanding, and tailored lessons to individual proficiency levels. They promoted active student participation through collaborative activities and provided avenues for student choice despite curriculum constraints. By integrating abstract and concrete ideas in teaching, teachers facilitated connections between mathematics and real-life scenarios. Moreover, significant differences were observed in how male and female teachers engaged with student involvement. Encouraging the use of manipulatives was recommended to aid in concept comprehension. Policymakers should implement professional development for teachers and allocate resources to the school level to enhance mathematics education. Promoting active student participation involves student-centered learning to engage the students' voice and participation in mathematics learning. Achieving gender equality in math education requires providing professional development opportunities for teachers focused on gender equity in mathematics education.

Accuracy Improvement of Khmer Text Recognition by Correcting Post-recognized Characters

2025-01-22T00:45:00-07:00

Key Messages

The Constitution of Cambodia establishes Khmer as the official language, making accurate digital processing of Khmer documents crucial for national development. Limitations hinder current digital transformation efforts in both public and private sectors in Khmer text recognition technology.
Existing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tools show significant limitations with Khmer script, with common character recognition errors affecting document processing efficiency. Our post-processing correction method improves Khmer OCR accuracy from 93.4 to 96.4%, representing a significant advancement in Khmer text digitization.
The proposed solution can be integrated into existing document management systems without requiring extensive infrastructure changes. Government agencies and private organizations can achieve higher efficiency in document digitization while maintaining Khmer language integrity.
Government institutions should prioritize the adoption of improved Khmer OCR systems to enhance public service delivery. Investment in Khmer language digital tools will support Cambodia’s digital transformation goals while preserving its linguistic heritage.

Book Review: History of Cambodia 1st Edition. By Adhemard Leclère, 1914. Translated by Tep Meng Khean 2005. 490 pp. Price: $ 20 (Paperback)

2025-02-11T08:54:39-07:00

Adhémard Leclère’s History of Cambodia (1914) is a seminal text that chronicles Khmer history from its mythical origins to the early 20th century during French colonial rule. Written by a former French resident in Cambodia, the book reflects both Leclère’s deep interest in Khmer culture and the colonial perspectives of his time. Divided into two sections, it examines Cambodia’s ancient empires, regional relations, and eventual subjugation under French protection. Leclère’s created his art in Indochina at the height of French colonialism. This historical background greatly influenced his viewpoint and understanding of Khmer history. The historical significance is that it is a masterpiece of Leclère, who published a comprehensive work on Cambodian history in 1914.

This book is carefully divided into two sections. The first segment consists of 10 chapters, and the second one consists of five. In the first chapter’s opening section, Leclère dives into the place of origin background of Cambodia, emphasizing the rich soil delta of the Mekong River and its contribution to the development of early agricultural villages. As we dive deeper into Chapter 2, the focus on acceptance of Indian religious and cultural customs has been studied with particular interest in the spread of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sanskrit. Chapter 3, explains the growth of the Khmer kingdoms is chronicled in this section of the book, emphasizing their strong trading networks and concentration of leadership.

Making Cambodia’s Higher Education Responsive to the Labor Market in the Digital Transformation Era.

2025-02-08T08:23:20-07:00

Cambodia has been one of the few post-conflict countries that have successfully brought peace after a prolonged civil war for decades. Since the 1990s, Cambodia has opened up to the world and is attracting international assistance and foreign direct investment for national construction and rehabilitation. The general election was organized between 23 and 28 May 1994 with support from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). 1991 Cambodia was categorized as one of the least developed countries or LDC. The country has made good progress due to effective macroeconomic management, political stability, and a liberal trade and investment regime that has enhanced high economic growth and poverty reduction (MoP, 2010). Cambodia aspires to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050. According to the United Nations Development Programme (2024), the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has endorsed Cambodia to graduate from the LDC in 2029 with a five-year preparatory period.