Harris Search Associates and RGC Search Seek President for the University of Puthisastra

April 17, 2018 – The University of Puthisastra (UP) in Cambodia has retained the services of Harris Search Associates and RGC Executive Search to finds its next president. Jeffrey Harris, founder and managing partner of Dublin, OH-based Harris Search, and Anthony Ainsworth, director of Bangkok, Thailand-based RGC Search, are leading the assignment. The organizations are members of IIC Partners, an international network of executive recruitment firms.

UP is a private university in Phnom Penh that focuses on health sciences and technology. It is committed to developing higher education in Cambodia and enabling its students to become future healthcare and technology leaders of that country.  The university was fully recognized by the Royal Government of Cambodia in 2007.

Reporting to the university’s board steering committee, the president has overall strategic and operational responsibility for UP faculty and staff, programs, physical plant and facilities, performance and execution of the mission, said Harris Search Associates.

A Hands-On Leader

The president provides day-to-day management of institutional priorities for the university and is expected to be an entrepreneurial, visible, hands-on leader, committed to fostering fiscal and operational excellence, said the search firm. The individual is also expected to also provide vision, leadership and financial guidance to ensure the fiscal integrity, compliance, operational excellence and growth of the institution while ensuring quality operations.

Among the responsibilities of the role, UP’s president serves as the school’s head of administration and chief liaison with both internal and external leadership groups; consults with and advises the board and the steering committee on budget, enrollment, faculty and administrative issues; builds partnerships and provides leadership and direction in the delivery of academic programs and services throughout the region; and promotes teamwork between the different departments and faculties and serves as a role model for fostering a positive atmosphere at the university.

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Candidates are required to have a master’s degree or earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution, and a record of professional accomplishments and scholarship; a strong and sustained record of teaching excellence and interdisciplinary initiatives; substantial administrative personnel and budgetary experience; evidence of extraordinary interpersonal and communication skills with faculty, staff, students and community members; and evidence of a strong commitment to helping students obtain a broad-based education.

Developing Cambodia

The job also calls for evidence in curriculum development including a commitment to collaboration and innovative pedagogies; demonstrated ability to manage a complex academic organization and work effectively with colleagues across divisions; evidence of effective community involvement, outreach, leadership and demonstrated ability to forge partnerships and build productive relationships with both campus and business community constituencies; and evidence of recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and staff.

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The University of Puthisastra, which is in Phnom Penh, has about 2,000 students. It is accredited by the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia. Its founder and chairman established the school with a belief that education is a priority for the development of Cambodia and that it is essential to develop the next generation of leaders with values of excellence, integrity, innovation and service to society, said Harris Search Associates.

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In addition, UP recognizes the importance of developing its students into international citizens, with an ability to communicate and work with people in other countries, said the search firm. UP prioritizes international involvement through exchange programs, scholarship programs, research projects and mission trips. The university is looking to serve as an incubator to catalyze the development of Cambodia’s higher education system and health care and technology sectors.

Veteran Recruiters

Harris Search Associates is a global executive search and board advisory consulting firm. Its practice is focused on identifying and attracting leaders to support the growth of clients in the areas of research, science, engineering, academic medicine and commercial enterprises. The firm’s clients include leading universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers and commercial organizations.

Mr. Harris leads the firm’s higher education, academic medicine and general management practices. He conducts senior leadership assignments that range from higher education institutions and academic medical centers to multinational corporations on an international basis.

Related: Russell Reynolds Associates Places First Non-Jesuit President at Fairfield University

RGC (Richard Glynn Consultants) is one of the leading executive search companies in Thailand. Established in 1987, it helps multinational and local corporations identify and appoint leaders in their field.

A Strong Network

Mr. Ainsworth, who joined the firm in 1999, specializes in senior positions for the banking, securities healthcare, consumer and trading sectors. Before joining RGC, he was a general manager in business and management consulting for IMIC in Phnom Penh, where he established a placement agency, as well as a remuneration and benefits practice. His business background includes positions with Lehman Brothers, Euromoney and the Body Shop.

In 2009, Mr. Ainsworth was reelected to the board of IIC Partners as director for Asia Pacific after having served from 2002 to 2006. He is currently the lead director on transborder activity. He has worked in business consultancy and executive search in Southeast Asia since 1993.

IIC Partners, which specializes in executive search and leadership consulting services, has 43 partner firms and over 450 international consultants operating in 52 cities across 34 countries. Each of the firms are independently owned and managed. Their areas of specialization include: industrial, financial services, consumer & retail, energy, life sciences, technology, board, higher education, infrastructure and human resources.

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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media