Royal University of Agriculture

Royal University of Agriculture Hosts Pre-Event for Young Scientists at the 17th ICERD Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 26 March 2026

The Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) successfully organized the Pre-Event for Young Scientists on 26 March 2026, as part of the 17th International Conference on Environmental and Rural Development (ICERD). The event took place from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Auditorium Room, bringing together approximately 80 participants from more than 15 countries, including Cambodia, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and others.

The session commenced with opening remarks delivered by Dr. Borarin Buntong, Director of the Division of Research and Innovation at RUA, on behalf of H.E. Prof. Dr. Ngo Bunthan, Rector of RUA. The remarks highlighted the importance of empowering young scientists through capacity development, international collaboration, and active engagement in research and innovation. The Pre-Event aimed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of young researchers in key areas essential for scientific advancement. The program featured a series of expert-led sessions covering scientific writing, data analysis, environmental studies, and digital innovation.

Dr. Hin Lyhour delivered a practical session on Basic R and Graphs using ggplot2, emphasizing the importance of reproducible research and effective data visualization. This was followed by insightful presentations on scientific writingby Dr. Santa Pandit and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chou Phanit, focusing on improving research communication and publication quality.

In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chou Phanit presented on Environmental and Socio-Economic Studies, introducing participants to key concepts such as cost-benefit analysis, ecosystem services valuation, and the role of environmental economics in decision-making.

The session also highlighted the growing importance of digital transformation in research. Dr. Rival Valcin delivered a presentation on AI tools and digitalization support, encouraging participants to responsibly integrate emerging technologies into their research workflows.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Machito Mihara, Secretary of the International Society of Environmental and Rural Development (ISERD), who commended the active participation of young scientists and emphasized the importance of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation in addressing global sustainability challenges.

The Pre-Event for Young Scientists successfully provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, skill development, and international networking. It also set a strong foundation for the main conference, reinforcing the role of young researchers in advancing sustainable environmental and rural development.

For more information, please contact:
ICERD Secretariat, Royal University of Agriculture
Email: icerd_rua@rua.edu.kh