On the second day of the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting, the National Defence University, as the host and co-chair with the Canadian Military Academy, organized presentations delivered by nine participating countries: Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand, and Singapore. These presentations addressed three sub-themes: 1. Military Preparedness and Response to Environmental Disruptions; 2. Preparing Military Leaders to Understand the Role of Non-State Actors in Shaping Regional Security; and 3. Building Resilience – Preparing Military Leaders to Operate in a World Influenced by External Forces. In addition, the meeting was honored by the distinguished presence of Her Excellency Ambra Dickie, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to ASEAN, who was invited to deliver a special address to the participants on the four sub-themes of the 27th ARF-HDUCIM Meeting.

For the first day of the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting, the National Defence University of Cambodia, as the host and co-chair together with the Canadian Defence Academy, organized presentations from seven countries: Cambodia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, and Vietnam. These presentations covered two important sub-themes: 1. Climate-Induced Migration and Its Security Implications, and 2. Military Preparedness and Response to Environmental Disruptions.

The National Defence University has the honor to inform the public that, in accordance with the Terms of Reference (TOR) on the Organization of the ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions (ARF HDUCIM), adopted and put into effect at the 10th ARF HDUCIM Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on 7 September 2006, the National Defence University of Cambodia, as host and co-chair with the Canadian Defence Academy, will organize the 27th ARF HDUCIM Meeting. This important event, which brings together 27 member institutions from across the ASEAN Regional Forum, will be held from 18 to 21 November 2025 at the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.

On Tuesday afternoon, October 28, 2025, His Excellency Lieutenant General DOK Sopha, Rector of the National Defence University (NDU), received a courtesy call from a delegation of the Chinese Military Attaché Office in Cambodia. During the meeting, both sides discussed the progress of ongoing cooperation and explored new initiatives and opportunities to expand military training collaboration between the National Defence University and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 22, 2025, His Excellency Lieutenant General DOK Sopha, Rector of the National Defence University, received a courtesy visit from Lieutenant Colonel Paul Payne, Chief of the Canadian Defence Attaché Office, and Sergeant Marc-André Sauvé, Assistant to the Defence Attaché Office in the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in Hanoi, Vietnam. During the meeting, both sides discussed two main topics: 1. The progress of preparations for the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting, which Cambodia will host and co-chair with Canada in late November 2025; and 2. Plans to organize a workshop on the International Law of Armed Conflict at the National Defence University in early December 2025.

On Friday, October 17, 2025, the National Defence University, in collaboration with the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Commissariat, organized an awareness program on firefighting techniques. The morning session featured theoretical presentations and case studies on fire prevention and emergency response, while the afternoon session included observation and practical exercises with the active participation of university staff, students, and trainees.

On the morning of Friday, October 17, 2025, the National Defence University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, organized a special lecture on “Basic Economic Theory and the Current Economic Situation of Cambodia.” The event was held under the distinguished chairmanship of His Excellency Dr. Hean Sahib, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Permanent Vice President of the Supreme National Economic Council, at the National Defence University auditorium.

On the morning of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, His Excellency Lieutenant General DOK Sopha, Rector of the National Defence University, accompanied His Excellency General Chay Sang-yoon, Permanent Secretary of State of the Ministry of National Defence, as the high representative of His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, to attend the royal ceremony in commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk, the great hero and father of Cambodia’s independence, territorial integrity, and national unity, “Preah Borom Ratanak Kaudh”, our most revered and sanctified monarch.

On Saturday, October 11, 2025, under the leadership and close attention of His Excellency Lieutenant General Dok Sopha, Rector of the National Defense University, the University, in collaboration with the Ream Naval Base and the Australian Embassy, organized a friendly volleyball and tug-of-war competition between English language students and Australian Navy sailors at the Multinational Training Center, Ream Naval Base. It is worth highlighting that the Australian Defence Force has been a long-term partner of the National Defense University since 1994, particularly in the area of English language training and human resource development. Through this activity, the University’s English language students had the valuable opportunity to practice their language skills in real-life communication and to build personal connections with members of the Australian Navy.

On the evening of Saturday, October 11, 2025, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dok Sopha, Rector of the National Defense University, attended a reception welcoming the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy ship Qi Jiguang (PLAN 83). The event was held under the high chairmanship of His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, at the Preah Sihanouk Autonomous Port.

On the evening of Friday, October 10, 2025, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dok Sopha, Rector of the National Defence University, attended a reception welcoming the Australian Navy ship HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155), an Anzac-class frigate. The event was held under the high chairmanship of His Excellency General Tea Vinh, Secretary of State of the Ministry of National Defence, representing His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, at the Preah Sihanouk Autonomous Port.

On the morning of Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the National Defense University (NDU) warmly welcomed a delegation from the Australian War College (AWC), led by Her Excellency Brigadier General Lara Troy, Commandant of the Australian War College, accompanied by three officers and thirteen students undertaking the Australian Command and Staff Course. The delegation visited the National Defense University of Cambodia with the following objectives: - Courtesy Call and Bilateral Discussions: The delegation paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Lieutenant General DOK Sopha, Rector of the National Defense University, to discuss ways to strengthen and expand cooperation between the two defense educational institutions. Discussions focused on potential collaboration in short-term human resource training and the development of national security courses at NDU. During the meeting, His Excellency the Rector also extended an invitation to Brigadier General Troy to attend the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting (ARF HDUCIM), which will be hosted by the National Defense University and co-chaired with the Canadian Defence Academy in November 2025. - Academic Exchange: Both sides delivered presentations on their respective institutional structures and training programs, followed by a lively question-and-answer session aimed at sharing experiences and best practices in defense education. - Cultural Engagement: The visit concluded with the delegation attending classes at the College of Social Sciences and Languages, providing participants with the opportunity to learn more about the culture of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Cambodian society. It is noteworthy that the Australian Defence Force has been a long-standing partner of the National Defense University since 1994, particularly in English language training and human resource development. In recent years, this partnership has expanded to encompass a broader range of cooperative activities, including leadership exchanges, expert visits, and strategic-level training programs, further deepening the enduring friendship and cooperative partnership between the two institutions.