The Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) is a private American Overseas Research Center working to promote research, teaching and public service in the social sciences, arts and humanities, as they are related to Cambodia. CKS also aims to connect Cambodian scholars, students and artists with their international colleagues for the purposes of fostering understanding of Cambodia and Southeast Asia.

History

CKS was founded in 1999 as an international non-governmental organization by a consortium of universities, organizations, scholars and individuals. Initially, CKS programs were developed in priority fields for Cambodians, like architecture, anthropology and archaeology. CKS has since taken a new approach to its research and training activities in recent years, collaborating directly with Cambodian and overseas universities through their Building Institutional Capacity in Higher Education project supported by the Rockefeller Foundation

Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...

 and the Toyota Foundation.

Programs

CKS works to encourages foreign scholars working in Cambodian to collaborate with local scholars in order to develop the human resources of Cambodians and allow for the transfer of knowledge and expertise among Cambodian scholars and their international counterparts. Additionally, CKS offers a fellowship program, research and training programs, publishing and translation programs, and hosts a variety of conferences, lectures and workshops.

CKS's three core objectives are to:

• Facilitate research and international scholarly exchange through programs that increase understanding of Cambodia and its region;

• Help strengthen Cambodia's cultural and academic structures and integrate Cambodian scholars into their regional and international community;

• Promote a vigorous Cambodian civil society.

Due to the lack of access to books and educational resources through libraries in most of Cambodia, CKS started building a library collection in 2001, specializing in Cambodian and Southeast Asian history and culture with over 8,500 volumes to date. An addition to the library was opened in January 2010 under the patronage of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni

Norodom Sihamoni

Norodom Sihamoni is the current reigning King of Cambodia. He is the eldest son of Norodom Sihanouk and Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. Previously Cambodia's ambassador to UNESCO, he was named by a nine-member throne council to become the next king after his father Norodom Sihanouk abdicated in 2004...

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Partnerships

CKS is the only Southeast Asian member of the American Overseas Research Center. The Consortium of the CKS is a membership based network of committed institutions and individuals that include universities, libraries, academic societies and museums. Some of the Consortium of the CKS’s numerous international partners and affiliates include: The American Association of Asian Studies, Asia Cultural Council, Cornell University

Cornell University

Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...

, Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, New York University

New York University

New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...

, Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...

, UCLA and the University of Chicago

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...

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CKS receives its funding through foundation grants, corporate support and generous private individuals and groups.

Governance

CKS is led by its board of directors:

Lois de Menhil, Ph.D., President

Anne H. Bass, Vice President

Olivier Bernier, Vie President

Dean Berry, Esq., Secretary and General Counsel

Gaye Fugate, Treasurer

Locations

CKS is based in Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia, and is the gateway to Angkor region.Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market...

, Cambodia with an office in Phnom Penh and administrative and support offices in New York City and Paris.