Ji Yong Kim, Assistant Professor in Raritan Valley Community College’s Arts & Design department, left, recently attended “Between Political and Climate Change in Southeast Asia,” a two-week faculty development seminar at the Inya Institute and Center for Khmer Studies in Cambodia.

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Ji Yong Kim, Assistant Professor in Raritan Valley Community College's Arts & Design department, recently attended "Between Political and Climate Change in Southeast Asia," a two-week faculty development seminar at the Inya Institute and Center for Khmer Studies in Cambodia. The program was part of the Overseas Faculty Development Seminars sponsored by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers.

The seminar focused on the interplay between politics and climate change in Southeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on Cambodia and Myanmar. It was designed for community college professors around the nation, with a total of 14 participating.

Professor Kim participated in daily sessions with experts from Cambodia and Myanmar, who discussed various topics ranging from civil society organizations to the media landscape and climate change challenges. The seminar included tours of Cambodia, with visits to such locations as Phenom Penh, Battambang, and Siem Riep, home to the famous Angkor Wat temples.

Professor Kim plans to incorporate Cambodian arts and culture into his art classes at RVCC.

Overseas Faculty Development Seminars are fully-funded programs conducted abroad to assist faculty and administrators from U.S. community colleges and minority-serving institutions in gaining international experience. The goal is to develop and enhance international courses, curricula, and teaching materials at their home institutions.

CAORC invites faculty members to apply for an upcoming opportunity to travel and learn about foreign history and culture. The deadline for the January winter break travel sessions to Bangladesh, India, or Senegal is July 19. For more information,  visit https://www.caorc.org/.

Established in 1981, the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) is a private nonprofit federation of independent overseas research centers (ORCs). CAORC promotes advanced research, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, with a focus on conserving and recording cultural heritage and understanding and interpreting modern societies.

Ranked by WalletHub.com, Intelligent.com, and CollegeEvaluator.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to  a Planetarium, Science Education Institute, and 3M Observatory; a Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students. The College offers approximately 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training and professional development courses.

Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, New Jersey.