Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities
It is quite common knowledge that to become well-rounded and useful citizens of a nation, particularly a developing one, and to release stress, school and university students should participate in extra-curricular activities and social events such as New Year celebrations, Fun-Raising Event, Clean-Up Day, charity trips, community service, and sports. The following clubs and programs were established or are being established to achieve this goal.
1. IFL Debate Club
Recognizing the need for students to develop strong English communication skills in order to compete in the regional and international arenas, the English Department founded the Debate Club in February 2001 with the aim of developing skills in education, business, communication and networking, through participation in ASEAN events, such as the ASEAN Varsities’ Debate, the All Asians’ Debate, the Austral-Asian Intervarsity Debate Championship, and AUN Young Speakers Contest.
The club’s members can improve their English language competence, general knowledge about ASEAN nations and the rest of the world, and their reasoning, analytical and critical thinking skills. They exchange ideas and experiences with one another and develop confidence in public speaking, particularly expressing and defending ideas before large audiences.
2. IFL Dance Club
IFL Dance Club, which has been in existence for seven years, aims to provide students at IFL to learn and preserve traditional Khmer dance and music and to socialize with their fellow students across different year levels.
The Club’s activities take place every Saturday morning from 8:00 to 11:00. Prior to 2006, the Club normally conducted a dance class in which participants learned Khmer popular dance. In 2006-2007 academic year, however, three distinctive classes were introduced: music (flute), Flag Dance, and Ploy. These three classes were run mainly to prepare students for their performance during the 2006-2007 Khmer Culture Day and New Year celebration and the 5th ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum in August, 2007. The Club has instructors from the Royal University of Fine Art and the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
3. Department Of English Football Club
In its existence for more than half a decade, this football club has always participated in the annual RUPP Football Cup. It has won the Cup three times, won 2nd place once, 3rd place twice, and 4th place twice. In spite of this victory, this club is not mainly about competition and winning; it is intended to maintain and improve its members’ health and instill the spirit of friendship and sports that there are always winners and non-winners and that if one loses this time and wishes to win next time, one needs to put more effort.
Besides participating in the university’s tournament, the club’s members also play football and have friendly matches on campus almost every Sunday for both health and fun. Some 10 lecturers from the department frequently participate in this weekend activity.
4. IFL’s Khmer New Year Celebration
Patriotism, joy, pride, preservation and lasting memories are all generated in this one-day event of the year, which showcases some of the best artistic, academic and cultural performances of students and lecturers from all the departments of IFL. Students never want to miss this event as it marks the celebration of the Khmer New Year, the summer break, and a strong unity within the IFL community.
5. Fund-raising Event
Initiated by the 2009-2010 IFL’s Organizing Committee, this event extends IFL’s lead in both academic and non-academic endeavors. Added to IFL’s wide array of extra-curricular activities, the annual Fund-Raising Event unites IFL and non-IFL participants in efforts to raise funds to help the poor and needy. It provides opportunities for students, parents, educators, and even employers to give back to society through financial and material contributions. Funds raised by the event are used for charity trips to orphanages outside Phnom Penh.
6. IFL’s Clean-up Day
IFL loves “green” and it gets greener each time it holds the annual Clean-Up Day. Promoting environmental awareness and actions, this event attracts hundreds of attendees who are enthusiastic in restoring a better balance and sustainability to our environment.
7. Department Of English’s Job Fair
The latest addition to the IFL’s event calendar, Department of English’s Job Fair was first organized in 2010, attracting over 300 3rd and 4th year students and more than ten leading private and public institutions/businesses. The Fair aims to provide opportunities for students, who are soon to graduate, to meet in person representatives from their potential workplaces. Presentations, Discussions, and Booth visits for job-searching tips as well as available job vacancies are the main activities during the fair.
8. Cambodian ELT Conference
The latest addition to the IFL’s event calendar, Department of English’s Job Fair was first organized in 2010, attracting over 300 3rd and 4th year students and more than ten leading private and public institutions/businesses. The Fair aims to provide opportunities for students, who are soon to graduate, to meet in person representatives from their potential workplaces. Presentations, Discussions, and Booth visits for job-searching tips as well as available job vacancies are the main activities during the fair.
