Meeting Between Cambodian Ambassador and Sofia University Faculty Highlights Academic Cooperation​ [VIDEO]

Sofia, July 21, 2025 –A significant meeting took place between H.E. Dr. Chea ChanBoribo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Republic of Bulgaria, and senior representatives of the Faculty of History at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” The attendees included Professor Mira Markova, Senior Faculty Member; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milena Petkova, Deputy Senior Faculty Member; and Professor Rumyana Marinova-Christidi, Head of the Jewish Studies Department.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a range of topics, including history and historiography, Cambodian historical studies, and potential future collaboration between the two institutions.

Professor Mira Markova highlighted that the Faculty of History is the oldest faculty within Sofia University. When the university was established, national ideals of higher education were being formed, and the Faculty of History became its first faculty.

The faculty offers a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Archaeology

• Ethnology

• Archival and Documentary Studies

• Political History and Geography of the Balkans

• Jewish Studies

• General History and Geography

• History and Philosophy

• History and Foreign Languages

In addition, the faculty offers six postgraduate programs.

Professor Rumyana Marinova-Christidi emphasized that Sofia University is the only institution in the region offering a comprehensive academic program in Jewish Studies. She expressed interest in developing cooperation in fields such as archaeology, heritage conservation, contemporary history, and other areas through academic exchange programs.

Professor Markova proposed establishing an agreement for student and academic exchange between the Faculty of History at Sofia University and the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

H.E. Dr. Chea ChanBoribo welcomed the proposal and expressed a strong commitment to supporting this collaboration. He highlighted Cambodia’s long and rich history, noting that the country was once a mighty empire and has undergone various governance systems over the centuries. The ambassador also shared personal reflections from his time as a student in Bulgaria, offering insights into Cambodia’s historical journey — from the French colonial period, through the Khmer Rouge regime, and into the country's recovery and growth since the 1990s.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Markova extended an invitation to H.E. Dr. Chea ChanBoribo to deliver a public lecture at Sofia University at his convenience. She noted that students are highly interested in contemporary politics and the historical heritage of Asia and requested a special presentation by the Ambassador on Cambodia’s economy, politics, and history.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the mutual interest in establishing a cooperation agreement between Sofia University and the Royal University of Phnom Penh, with a focus on student exchanges. The faculty noted that many programs at the Faculty of History are taught in English, enabling Cambodian students to participate — including in fields such as Digital Humanities, Anthropology, and studies of the Ottoman and Bulgarian Empires.

The Ambassador underlined that one of his core missions in Bulgaria is to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen the friendship between the Cambodian and Bulgarian people. He expressed his dedication to advancing this goal through cooperation agreements, particularly in the field of education.

Additional ideas raised during the meeting included organizing a photo exhibition about Cambodia at Sofia University to introduce Khmer culture to local students. Participants also proposed hosting a cultural reception celebrating Cambodia–Bulgaria relations, featuring traditional Cambodian cuisine, music, and customs.