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U of A dual degree teams excel in Cambodian national competitions

Feb. 26, 2026
Arizona International
Eight students pose with a competition award, all reaching toward the trophy cup held by a young man in the center.

Students enrolled in the dual degree program of the University of Arizona and American University of Phnom Penh pose with a trophy from the  Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The team claimed top honors in the event.

American University of Phnom Penh

Students enrolled in the University of Arizona–American University of Phnom Penh dual degree partnership claimed top honors in two national academic competitions in Cambodia this spring: one in law, one in business. Teams will now represent the country on an international stage in Washington, D.C. Their performance reflects the caliber of students in the dual degree programs, a partnership now in its second decade.  

National Champions in the Courtroom  

The recent win by the law team at American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) marks the second year in a row the school has claimed Cambodia's national champion slot in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. As one of the most prestigious international law competitions in the world, this year's program drew more than 800 teams from nearly 100 countries.  

Four members of the winning team are enrolled in the AUPP–Arizona dual degree law program: captain Noraknun Chhum and classmates Ratanaleakta Tan, Sovanita Prom, and TepiPanhchapor Ing. The team also received awards for Best Applicant Memorial and Best Combined Memorial (recognitions given for the quality of written legal briefs) and placed multiple students among the top three national oralists.  

As national champion, AUPP also competed at the Jessup International Rounds in Washington, D.C., March 28 – April 4.  

Finalists in the Boardroom  

AUPP also placed first runner-up in Cambodia's national round of the CFA Institute Research Challenge, a globally recognized equity research competition testing financial analysis, valuation, and professional presentation. Three of the five team members are enrolled in the AUPP–Arizona dual degree business program: Rona Tann, Mengsea Hak, and Zhu Ly.  

"The fact that several dual degree students were part of these achievements makes them especially meaningful for the partnership," said Matthew Schenk, interim president of AUPP. "It is a strong example of how the academic alignment between AUPP and the University of Arizona is translating into tangible student outcomes."