1. Introduction
The International Relations Institute of Cambodia “IRIC” was established in 2005 as a think-tank of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia, under the umbrella of the Royal Academy of Cambodia. According to its mission statement, IRIC is devoted to research, fact-finding, analysis, evaluation and policy recommendations. IRIC focuses on issues affecting Cambodian foreign policy, development, the welfare of Cambodian society as well as broader regional and global topics relevant to contemporary international relations.
IRIC has engaged in partnerships and cooperation with other national and international research institutions and think-tanks to enhance and improve its research, academic profile, and status. Seeking to achieve a substantial leap forward in quality of its overall performance in academic research and policy consultation, in August 2019, IRIC established an International Advisory Board (IAB). It was constituted to enable IRIC to benefit from the experience of respected scholars and analysts working in think-tanks, universities and research institutions who have made significant contributions to academic research and public policy development. IAB serve as a major driving force to guide IRIC towards improved cohesion, consistency, and coordination of its diverse component parts.
The primary purpose of the advisory board is to ensure the institute leadership has ready access to diverse input and ideas from international academic circles during scheduled consultations. It is intended that this input, advice, and guidance will assist and support IRIC in its mission of providing top tier academic research, and policy consultation.
To ensure that IRIC receives a diversity of perspectives of ideas and views, the advisory board represents not only a variety of disciplines, but also an extensive range of cultural backgrounds.
2. Role of IAB
- Provide strategic advice and guidance, and support the research and policy consultation work of IRIC.
- Assist IRIC in developing relationships with key international research institutions and think tanks and establishing an international vision.
- Provide advice on research directions and communication strategy, as well as publications.
- Contribute to the sustainability of IRIC by promoting IRIC’s international profiles and achievement.
3. Membership
IAB members include an array of eminent and prominent figures from international research institutions, universities and think-tanks, who are respected for their contributions in their respective fields.
3.1 Terms
The members of the IAB shall be appointed for a period of three years, with the option of re-appointment. This flexibility in term will accommodate both a staggered turnover of membership and retention of expertise. IAB membership will be reviewed in the last six months of each term for member participation, and capacity to contribute
3.2 Service
IAB Members will deliver the following:
- Strategic direction for IRIC’s research and policy consultation work;
- Guidance as to the research priorities of IRIC;
- Reviews as required:
- Activity Plans
- Concept outlines for workshops
- Participation in workshops and meetings;
- Contribute to activity plans, progress and other reports as required by IRIC.
4. Mode of Operation
The IAB face to face meetings will be held once a year in Cambodia or abroad, while teleconferences/webinars can be initiated by IRIC when necessary.
IAB members will participate in scheduled meetings and discussion and liaise with their peers to provide input and feedback to IRIC. IRIC will manage the daily operational functions required to achieve the goals and objectives set by the Advisory Board as documented in the strategic plan.
The meeting shall be presided over by the chairman of the board. The meeting shall be convened on the initiative of the board chairman or on request of members of the board or on request of the director general of IRIC.
IAB members will provide consultation and advice with respect to the topics studied by the board through a LinkedIn Group, or teleconferences/webinars when necessary.
5. Rules of engagement
Members of the IAB will not receive a honorarium from IRIC.
Reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses for attending the annual face to face meeting can be provided where requested, and if booked according to IRIC travel rules.
6. Conflicts of interest and confidentiality
IAB Member shall not participate in any IAB discussion where a situation or circumstance of personal or professional nature can compromise his/her ability to provide advice and recommendations in the interest of best performing his/her objectives and tasks.
Members of the IAB shall respect, where necessary, the confidential character of the proceedings and shall protect any information whose disclosure could damage the interests of the IRIC in general.
In the event confidential information is shared, members of the IAB shall sign a confidentiality agreement.
7. IAB’s first membership
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Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rüland, Professor of Political Science of Department of Political Science of Univ ersity of Freiburg, Germany |
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Prof. Dr. Victor Sumsky, Director of ASEAN Centre in MGIMO University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Russia |
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Prof. Dr. Caitlin Byrne, Director of Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, Australia |
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Prof. Dr. Bradley J. Murg, Professor of Political Science and Director of Global Development Studies at Seattle Pacific University, and Affiliate Professor at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington , USA |
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Prof. Dr. Yeonsik Jeong, Ph.D. in Political Science, Professor of Faculty of International Relations of the Changwon National University of the Republic of Korea, and President of the Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies, South Korea |
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Mr. Brian Eyler, Senior Fellow and Director of Stimson’s Southeast Asia program of the Stimson Center, USA |
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Prof. Dr. See Seng Tan, President/CEO-Elect, International Students Inc. (ISI), USA, and Professor of International Relations, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore |
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Prof. Dr. Fabio Indeo, Senior Analyst of NATO Defense College Foundation, Italy |
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Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, Director General and Senior Researcher of Institute for Southeast Asian Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam |
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Prof. Liao Ran, Director for Development and Resources at Your Public Value, Germany and Professor at the Law School of Hunan University, China |
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Prof. Dr. GU Jiayun, Vice Dean of School of Asian and African Studies and Director of Khmer Study Centre, Beijing Foreign Studies University, China |
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Prof. Dr. TAKAHASHI Akio, Professor at Department of South Asian Studies, Institute of Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo, Japan |
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Prof. Dr. Xie Zheping, Deputy Director of Policy Research Office and Associate Professor of Institute of Education, Tsinghua University, China |
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Mr. Love Englund, Owner/CEO of The Room Design Studio (Architecture) in Cambodia, Owner/Director of Muraya (Construction) in China, and Owner/Director of Morakot Micro Finance in Myanmar, Sweden |
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Prof. Dr. KUIK Cheng-Chwee, Associate Professor and Head of Centre for Asian Studies of the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS) of National University of Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia |