2012-2013 - Center for Khmer Studies

lation. Where they exist, essential resources like libraries
and research facilities are for the most part woefully inadequate.
We invited students and faculty from two of Siem
Reap’s main university campuses, Build Bright and
Paññāsāstra, for ‘An Evening with CKS’, to show what we
can offer and how we can help them with their studies and
research. We presented CKS’s activities in English and
Khmer, gave them a tour of our campus, and encouraged
them to come and make the most of our facilities. Events
like this work and have a big impact on our outreach efforts
to local educational communities.
Directly related to these outreach events is the CKS lecture
series. We encourage and provide opportunities for
Cambodian students and faculty to come and listen to the
research experiences of our research fellows and learn
about the latest ideas from other guest speakers working in
the field of Cambodia and Southeast Asia Studies. Notable
recent lectures by CKS fellow Dr. Mathew Kosuta,
University of Mahidol, Thailand, as well as guest lecturers
Adjunct Professor Benny Widyono, University of
Connecticut and Assistant Professor Kheang Un, Northern
Illinois University. They covered diverse topics including
Mathew’s fascinating research into Theravada Astrology,
Benny’s economic growth in Cambodia since UNTAC, and
Kheang’s timely account of U.S.­ASEAN relations.
Later in June we headed into another busy summer season
of events and programs. First was the ‘Siem Reap Conference
on Special Topics in Khmer Studies’ co­organized with
APSARA (Authority for the Preservation and Management
of Angkor and the region of Siem Reap), the University of
Sydney and the École Française d’Etrême­Orient, in June.
The topic developed by CKS fellow Dr. Julia Estève was
‘Religious Studies in Cambodia: Understanding the Old and
Tracing the New’. Twenty eight papers were delivered over
three jam­packed days by an important mix of Cambodian,
regional and international senior and junior scholars. The
conference was followed by the beginning of two major
CKS programs: the Khmer Language and Cultural Study
Program and the Summer Junior Resident Fellowship
Program. As the following pages will show these are just
some of the highlights in what is another busy but rewarding
year of programs and activities at CKS.
Michael Sullivan, Ph.D.
Director
Michael Sullivan (CKS) and Jonathan Spencer (AISLS) make opening remarks on the first day of the Sri Lanka - Cambodia Colonial
Legacies Workshop
IN FOCUS 5