The Experience of Dr. Silliman

As a senior college administrator and former English as a Second Language teacher, I can attest to the caliber and quality of the Advanced Study of Khmer (ASK) Program sponsored by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa and hosted by the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

Whether you are a college president, senior administrator, dean, director, linguist or language enthusiast, the ASK Program is an excellent opportunity for third year Khmer speakers to gain exposure to the system of education, institutional similarities or differences between the US and Cambodia.

Through lectures/presentations, formal and informal meetings with educators and government officials, and cultural excursions, scholars enhanced their knowledge and understanding of Cambodian culture, educational system, history, as well as gained a deeper knowledge of the social, economic and political milieu.  As a participant, I enjoyed the opportunity to establish connections with organizations and agencies that greatly enriched my personal as well as professional portfolio.The ASK Program also affords researchers an opportunity to see Cambodian culture, language, environs and historical artifacts first hand ? a wealth of primary source of information. 

If you are an experienced education administrator responsible for planning, conducting, or supervising programs in modern foreign languages or area studies at the elementary, secondary, or postsecondary level, I wholeheartedly endorse the Advanced Study of Khmer (ASK) Program offered by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa.


Sincerely,
Dr. Silliman, Mark
ASK participant, Summer 2005
Former Chancellor of Leeward Community College
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822