On the afternoon of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the College of Social Sciences and Languages organized a presentation program on the results of the General English Program students’ study tour to Kep and Kampot provinces. The event was held under the high chairmanship of His Excellency Lieutenant General DOK Sopha, Rector of the National Defense University, and was joined by Lieutenant Commander Karleah Fitzpatrick, Assistant Australian Defense Attaché to Cambodia. It is worth noting that this study tour is an annual program sponsored by the Australian Defence Force, aimed at encouraging outstanding students with strong academic discipline to gain broader knowledge of the geography, history, and culture of various regions of Cambodia.

After receiving the high-level authorization from His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, the National Defense University, together with the Canadian Defence Academy, organized the Intermediate Law of Armed Conflict Course for 30 National Defence Training students and Master’s Degree students in Military Science. The five-day course, held from 1–5 December 2025, aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of the legal principles governing both international and non-international armed conflicts.

On the afternoon of Thursday, November 20, 2025, the National Defense University, as the host and chair of the meeting, officially closed the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting (ARF-HDUCIM). During the ceremony, it formally handed over the chairmanship of the 28th ARF-HDUCIM to the Canadian Defence Academy, which will host and co-chair the event with the Philippine defense institution in October 2026 in Canada.

On Wednesday morning, 19 November 2025, the National Defense University held the official opening ceremony of the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting (ARF-HDUCIM) under the high chairmanship of His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh. It is also noted that, in accordance with the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the organization of the ARF-HDUCIM—approved and put into effect during the 10th ARF-HDUCIM in Kuala Lumpur on 7 September 2006—the National Defense University, as host and co-chair alongside the Canadian Military Academy, will convene the 27th ARF-HDUCIM with delegates from 17 countries and institutions from 18–22 November 2025 at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh.

In addition to the plenary session of the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Meeting (27th ARF HDUCIM), the National Defence University as the host and co-chair alongside the Canadian Defence Academy, also coordinated 21 formal bilateral meetings requested by delegates from participating countries. The high number of bilateral engagements underscores the significance of the 27th ARF HDUCIM, which functions not only as a platform for international military education but also as an important avenue for military diplomacy that supports the promotion of security, peace, and stability across the region.

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.