On 2 October 2026, the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) held the inaugural meeting of the Cambodia Research, Collaboration and Learning Exchange (CiRCLE), bringing together faculty and researchers interested in advancing the School’s work in Cambodia.
The meeting introduced the priorities of the SSHSPH Cambodia Programme Phase III (2026–2030), which focuses on policy-directed research, institutional capacity building and translating regional and international best practices to the Cambodian context.
A key focus of this next phase is strengthening strategic partnerships with Cambodia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). These collaborations will focus on priority areas including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cancer prevention and control, maternal and child health, health technology assessment and strategic purchasing. CiRCLE will also serve as a platform for the wider School community to contribute through technical expertise, capacity building, joint grants and publications, field visits, teaching, and mentorship.
The School is also pleased to welcome Srean Chhim and Phearavin Pheng as NUS SSHSPH–NIPH Fellows under the SSHSPH Cambodia Programme. Both Fellows will be based at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), a key partner of SSHSPH in Cambodia, supporting research, capacity building, and policy engagement.
Srean Chhim joins as the NUS SSHSPH–NIPH Fellow (Quantitative), bringing more than 10 years of experience in epidemiology and quantitative public health research in Cambodia. Currently a PhD candidate in Epidemiology at University Medical Centre Utrecht, Srean has extensive experience in study design, statistical analysis, large-scale surveys, surveillance and health systems research across NCDs and infectious diseases.
Phearavin Pheng joins as the NUS SSHSPH–NIPH Grants and Partnerships Fellow, bringing more than a decade of experience in public health research, grant management, programme coordination and stakeholder engagement. He holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Paris-Saclay University and has extensive experience leading and coordinating research across HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and NCDs, as well as working with government, academic and international partners.
We warmly welcome Srean and Phearavin to the School and look forward to working with them to strengthen SSHSPH’s partnerships and impact in Cambodia.