NCUK at the King Charles III Birthday Celebration in Phnom Penh
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On 3 June 2026, NCUK was proud to sponsor the British Embassy Phnom Penh’s celebration of His Majesty King Charles III’s 78th birthday, held at the Hyatt Regency in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Adrian Ting, Business Development Manager – Asia, attended on behalf of NCUK, representing our commitment to the region and to the growing network of partnerships that support international education across Cambodia and beyond.
The event brought together nearly 400 guests from government, foreign missions, businesses and civil society, reflecting the breadth and depth of the UK–Cambodia relationship.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating the Four Nations of the United Kingdom,” highlighted the culture, music, food and storytelling of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Guests enjoyed traditional delicacies, from Scottish smoked salmon to Welsh rarebit and Irish potato farls, in an evening that showcased British heritage and the values underpinning the UK’s international partnerships. For an organisation founded by UK universities, the celebration was a natural setting to reaffirm our presence and purpose in the region.
The evening underscored the strength of UK–Cambodia relations across education, trade, development and people-to-people links. British Ambassador Dominic Williams MBE (pictured left) noted the importance of bringing together partners “who work with us to bring the UK and Cambodia closer together.”
H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia, joined as Guest of Honour. His attendance spoke to the shared priorities that drive the bilateral relationship forward.
Over the years, our two nations have cultivated a partnership founded on mutual trust, shared values, and constructive cooperation in many areas of common interest. As our relations continue to deepen, may the friendship between our peoples grow ever stronger for the peace, prosperity, and sustainable development of both nations.
H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia
Education is central to that partnership. For ministries, agencies and institutions focused on developing national talent and strengthening education systems, quality-assured international pathways offer a credible, scalable solution.
NCUK has been at the forefront of international university pathways since 1987, when we were established by a consortium of leading UK universities. Today, our global community spans:
- 140+ Study Centres worldwide
- 40+ countries and territories
- 50,000+ students progressed to leading universities internationally
NCUK’s sponsorship carried added significance this year. We are honoured to have recently received the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, the UK’s most prestigious business accolade. To mark this recognition at an event celebrating His Majesty The King, alongside government ministers, diplomatic missions and education leaders, was both fitting and meaningful. The award reflects the collective effort of our partner institutions and teams across more than 40 countries, reinforcing NCUK’s standing as a trusted, internationally recognised provider of university pathway programmes.
Above all, the celebration was an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and explore new ones with the stakeholders who shape education policy and institutional strategy across Cambodia and the wider region.
If your institution, ministry or education agency is looking to develop quality-assured pathways to global higher education, we would welcome the opportunity to connect.
Get in touch with our partnerships team to find out how NCUK can support your strategic goals.