Royal University of Phnom Penh and
University of Washington Social Work Partnership

Program Director: Tracy W. Harachi, UW School of Social Work, tharachi@u.washington.edu

The School of Social Work has launched a new collaboration with the Royal University of Phnom Penh to establish the first college level social work program in Cambodia.  Future faculty members from Cambodia are attending the master's degree in social work at the University of Washington as part of the first phase of the partnership.

"This is an exciting opportunity to help change the social landscape in Cambodia," says Dr. Tracy W. Harachi, whose research and consulting work in Cambodia created the linkages that formed this partnership. "Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world and has experienced the multiple legacies of genocide, civil war and colonization. It has the highest rates of infant mortality and HIV infection in Asia. And the majority of the country resides in rural areas where access to water or sanitary facilities is scarce."

Professor Harachi believes that a college-level social work program in Cambodia—where none currently exists—can help educate Cambodians to be “social welfare leaders” who can address the country’s wide range of social issues.  The partnership's new faculty will lead the way, returning to Phnom Penh at the completion of their degrees to build a school of social work at the Royal University. 

While a growing number of agencies and organizations lend their support to the partnership, more donations are needed to ensure the program’s far-reaching success.

• More Info About the Partnership
  • Phase I (PDF)
  • Phase II and III (PDF)
• More Info About the Faculty
• Updates

“When people support this project,” says Professor Harachi, “they are helping to positively impact an entire country for many generations to come.”

Double-click on this play icon to start a streaming video that briefly describes Cambodia and the Partnership. Please note, this video contains graphic images which may be disturbing to some viewers.

Sponsor social work students from Cambodia. You can make a gift online right here. 

Make a gift online right here! Or send gifts to:

RUPP Partnership
c/o Development Office
University of Washington School of Social Work
Box 354900
4101 15 th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98115