乐播传媒

Dr. Chea San Chanthan, chancellor in charge of Pannasastra University of Siem Reap and overseeing international affairs, left,
and 乐播传媒 President Roger Best complete a memorandum of understanding between 乐播传媒 and Pannasastra University.

 

At first glance, a public university from west-central Missouri might seem an unlikely host for a well-attended educational networking reception in Phnom Penh. But in March, the 乐播传媒 (乐播传媒) brought together Cambodian government officials, U.S. Embassy representatives and leaders from some of the country's most respected universities for a conversation about global partnerships and student opportunity.

 

The event was a highlight of 乐播传媒 President Roger Best's recent trip to Southeast Asia 鈥� a mission that combined new initiatives in Cambodia with renewed partnerships in South Korea. For Best, the trip wasn't just about expanding 乐播传媒's global footprint. It was a chance to explore how higher education, at its best, still builds bridges across borders.

 

鈥淲e know Cambodian students work hard, are motivated to learn and are curious, making them ideal candidates for study at 乐播传媒,鈥� Best said in remarks to The Phnom Penh Post. 鈥淲e also desire to partner with these wonderful institutions through dual degree and exchange programs so that we can provide opportunities for Cambodian students to study in the U.S., while sharing our resources and ensuring our partnership is beneficial to Cambodia.鈥�

 

That mix of openness, humility and purpose would define the trip 鈥� and offer a timely reflection on where 乐播传媒 fits in a rapidly changing global higher education landscape.

 

Two countries, two missions

鈥淲e visited two countries on the same trip,鈥� Best said in a follow-up interview. 鈥淏ut we had very different reasons for going to each.鈥�

 

Joined by a university delegation that included Jeff W. Robertson, dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology; Phil Hull, director of International Student Services; Laura Searcy, coordinator of Exchange and Sponsored Programs; Kenneth Bias, chair of the Department of Early, Elementary, Middle and Physical Education; Sandy Cruz, director of Dual Credit for Online and Learning Engagement; Ryan Kim, program coordinator and assistant professor of Sport Management; and Greg Holz, international recruitment officer and former NGO leader who lived in Cambodia for 16 years, Best saw both need and opportunity in a country where the university already has longstanding ties.

 

Cambodia's higher education system, Best explained, is relatively young, shaped in part by educators who returned from the United States to build American-style institutions in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge era.

 

鈥淚t's an emerging market when it comes to American-style education,鈥� Best said. 鈥淭here's a strong affinity for the United States. Many university leaders there were educated here.鈥�

He added that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet was the first person in his country to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

 

That Cambodian affinity for U.S.-style higher education translated into action. During this trip, 乐播传媒 signed new memorandums of understanding with the Institute of Technology of Cambodia and Pannasastra University, and renewed a dual credit agreement with Pannasastra International School, which operates 27 K-12 campuses nationwide. Those agreements open the door to future student exchange, teacher development and dual degree pathways.

 

乐播传媒's model includes helping local high school teachers earn credentials to deliver 乐播传媒 courses to students in secondary school.

 

鈥淚t's professional development for their teachers, it's an opportunity for education for their students,鈥� Best said. 鈥淚f they're not yet qualified to teach college-level classes, we can help them get there.鈥�

 

The Cambodian leg of the trip included a visit to the Cambodian Children's Fund, a school system built on the edge of Phnom Penh's former city dump. The facility, founded by a former Hollywood producer, now offers housing and education to families emerging from extreme poverty.

 

鈥淭hey've created a model that's about dignity and structure,鈥� Best said. 鈥淲hen the producer first talked to the kids in that area, they weren't asking for food or money 鈥� they were asking for education. There's a hunger there for learning.鈥�

 

South Korea: A different kind of conversation

In South Korea, the agenda was more familiar. 乐播传媒 has had partnerships with several institutions in Seoul for more than 15 years. These relationships have focused largely on exchange programs 鈥� students from South Korea coming to 乐播传媒 for a semester or academic year 鈥� but Best saw room for growth.

 

鈥淲e reaffirmed those partnerships and also discussed faculty collaboration and dual degree programs,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ne of our partners even suggested creating a tri-national research conference that rotates between 乐播传媒, a South Korean university and one in Japan.鈥�

But what left the strongest impression was the scope of government investment in university research. South Korean institutions, Best noted, aren't focused on revisiting old studies. They're moving into the heart of what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution 鈥� artificial intelligence, health care innovation, advanced manufacturing 鈥� with significant national backing.

 

鈥淭his is stuff that is at our capability or beyond,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 came away from South Korea very impressed, and also a little concerned. Are we doing enough in the United States to sustain leadership in innovation? Other countries aren't waiting around for us to figure it out. They're moving forward.鈥�

 

Best wasn't just speaking as a university president 鈥� he was reflecting as a citizen and educator. 鈥淚f I came away with any concerns from my international travel,鈥� he said, 鈥渋t was that.鈥�

 

A culture of quiet excellence

While international visits often come with press releases and enrollment goals, Best was quick to position 乐播传媒's global work as an extension of its mission, not a publicity stunt. He's also aware that 乐播传媒 doesn't have the size or marketing machine of a flagship university.

 

That hasn't stopped international partners from taking notice.

 

鈥淭here's a lot of respect for the research and applied learning we do,鈥� he said. 鈥淢any of these institutions know that our faculty are well-trained and active in their fields. They're interested in collaborating because we bring something to the table 鈥� and we listen.鈥�

鈥淲e're historically a regional comprehensive university,鈥� Best said. 鈥淏ut we're really good at what we do. The quality of education, the research, the faculty commitment, it's there. We just don't always tell the story.鈥� Best recalled learning about a major faculty achievement at 乐播传媒 from a third party, not from the professor involved.

 

鈥淭hat's part of our culture,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e don't always talk about the great things we do because we assume, well, that's just the job.鈥�

 

It's a culture that has earned 乐播传媒 quiet respect abroad, and inspired internal reflection, too.

 

Global engagement, local impact

For Best, the value of these partnerships isn't just outbound. Bringing the world to Warrensburg matters just as much.

 

鈥淲hen I first came to 乐播传媒 in the 1990s, I was very impressed that we had so many students from other countries,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey brought a richness into the classroom that helped all of us think differently.鈥�

 

That impact is especially meaningful in Missouri, where many students haven't had the chance to travel internationally.

 

鈥淏y having international students on campus, they experience new cultures without leaving home,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey make friendships across borders and expand their sense of the world.鈥�

 

Currently, 乐播传媒 is Missouri's top destination for international enrollment, with students from 58 countries. Rather than a headline statistic, it's seen as part of the university's broader commitment to global learning.

 

鈥淲hen students come to us, we want their time here to redefine what they believed was possible,鈥� Best said. 鈥淲e've seen it happen over and over. Students find careers they never imagined. They discover new strengths. And they become leaders not just here, but in their communities around the world.鈥�

A Midwestern posture, a global perspective

After more than a week of visits, meetings and cultural exchanges, Best returned home reflective.

 

鈥淲e're not a perfect country,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut we have a standard of living with a level of access to resources and support that's often taken for granted. In countries where people have less, they're often working harder just for a chance and they're grateful for the opportunity when it comes.鈥�

 

That observation stuck with him and it shapes how 乐播传媒 thinks about its role abroad. Not as a savior. Not as a brand. But as a partner.

 

鈥淚t's easy to be complacent if you've been in a leadership role for a long time,鈥� Best said. 鈥淏ut other nations aren't waiting. They're moving forward. And we need to be part of that, not just for our own students, but to help shape a better, more connected future.鈥�