We interviewed Somary Thuon of Friend’s International on her thoughts on SEASIN project and the role of Higher Education Institutions in the society.
1) In your perspective, what kind of role should universities (HEIs) play in the society? What are HEI’s role supporting social innovation?
Universities exist as institutions for the creation and dispersion of knowledge. On the level of university researchers in social innovation initiatives, contributions of individuals and/or groups can be the analysis social issues (problems), provision of expertise and/ or ‘counter-expertise’, and the co-production of knowledge with other (non-academic) SI actors.
2) What does social innovation look like in your country? What is its potential?
Social innovations in Cambodia are in the form of social entrepreneurship, and social business. The potential is interesting as the social issues are varied in this poor country. Cambodia can be a laboratory of any new knowledge generated and resolve the social issue in Cambodia. In the past social enterprise related topics and initiatives in Cambodia have been often quite foreigner driven. Being personally involved in SEASIN and connecting with other people based in the region might help to balance this out a little bit.
3) What do you hope to achieve out of SEASIN project?
Networking and getting to the expertise in the area.
4) How can we collaborate better across the region?
To prioritise the use of Facebook groups and pages because its more interactive and more fun to use.
5) What are you most excited about for this project?
Meeting with the academician and seeing practitioners in the region.
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