About Us
The story of KIT is still being written, and every student, faculty member, and alumnus contributes to its rich history. As KIT continues to evolve and grow, it remains steadfast in its commitment to providing quality education and fostering innovation, while maintaining a deep respect for the natural environment that surrounds it.
Sachio SEMMOTO, Ph.D.
Chairman Of The Governing Board
Dr. Sachio Semmoto, Chairman of the Governing Board at Kirirom Institute of Technology, holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of Florida (1971) and a Bachelor of Science degree from Kyoto University (1966). With over 30 years of experience in senior management roles within the telecommunications industry, Dr. Semmoto is a renowned entrepreneur.
His professional journey took off when he joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (NTT, Japan) in 1966, where he served until 1983. He then co-founded DDI, the first private telecom startup in Japan, which has since evolved into KDDI Corporation - a firm with a market capitalization of approximately $100 billion.
After DDI's IPO, Dr. Semmoto transitioned into academia, becoming a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Keio University, Tokyo, Japan in 1996. He also held positions as a Visiting Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, and was a Research Fellow at Stanford University.
In 1999, Dr. Semmoto founded and led eAccess, Ltd., an internet access startup that revolutionized Japan’s DSL market to become the second-largest global market player. After eAccess's IPO in 2004, he founded and became CEO of EMOBILE, which grew to be Japan’s fourth-largest mobile network operator. Both EMOBILE and eAccess were sold to SoftBank in 2013.
Today, Dr. Semmoto serves as a special professor at the graduate school of Kyoto University. He has been a board member of the Reuter’s Communication (UK), a high-tech company, Network Appliance In Silicon Valley, and is currently a Fellow of IEEE. He is also a member of the Royal Swedish Engineering Academy.
Dr. Semmoto is the chairman of the Frances & Sachio Semmoto Foundation, which aims to provide students from Asia Pacific nations—who otherwise would not have the means—to access postsecondary education in Japan.
Leadership
Directors
Ms. Rosemary Tan
Director
Rosemary Tan, an accomplished professional with a rich educational and work history, is a creative director and shareholder at Tungling Group of Companies, a property development firm. She has held this position since April 2016.
Her journey began in education with an Associate in Applied Science degree from Parsons School of Design, New York, where she majored in Interior Design and graduated in 1990. Her desire for knowledge led her to Pace University, White Plains, New York, where she obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1987. She graduated Cum Laude, exhibiting academic excellence.
In addition to her work with Tungling Group of Companies, Rosemary Tan has held significant roles within the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). Her dedication to EO is evident in the plethora of roles she has undertaken over the years. She has served as the Asia Bridge Campus Chair in Sabah, Malaysia, in 2009 and in Haikou, China, in 2015. Additionally, she led as the Asia Bridge Chair for the Asia Pacific region from 2009 to 2010.
On a global level, Rosemary's contributions to EO are equally impressive. She has been an EO Forum Trainer since May 2001, a role that underlines her commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering growth. She served as a Global Director from 2011 to 2014 and ascended to the position of Global Chairperson from 2013 to 2014. Furthermore, she was appointed as an EO Ambassador to Ashoka from 2017 to 2019.
Her long-standing association with EO and her consistent contributions to its various initiatives reflects her dedication to entrepreneurship and her commitment to fostering a supportive community for entrepreneurs worldwide. Rosemary Tan exemplifies the essence of a global leader, making a positive impact in her field and beyond.
Dr. Chheang Vannarith
Director
Dr. Chheang Vannarith has accumulated over a decade of work experience as a track-two think tanker and geopolitical and geo-economic analyst with a focus on Southeast Asia. In 2013, he was honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and as a Southeast Asian Young Leader by the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in 2016. Currently, he holds the position of President at the Asian Vision Institute (AVI), leading projects on geopolitical risk analysis, governance innovation, inclusive digital economy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to his role at AVI, he serves as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and as Chair of the Advisory Council of the National Assembly of Cambodia.
From 2009 to 2013, he was the Executive Director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP), after which he served as a lecturer of Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Leeds (UK) from 2013 to 2016. He also worked as a Southeast Asia Consultant at the Nippon Foundation (Tokyo) from 2016 to 2018. His academic achievements are impressive, having earned his PhD in Asia Pacific Studies from APU in 2009.
Dr. Chheang's skill set is diverse and includes geopolitical and political economic analysis with a focus on Southeast Asia, knowledge communication and government relations, and organization and team building. His educational background is equally impressive, having earned a PhD in Asia Pacific Studies from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Oita, Japan in 2009, a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from the East-West Center, Honolulu, USA in 2009, an MA in International Relations from the International University of Japan, Niigata, Japan in 2016, and a BA in International Relations from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam in 2002.
In his recent work experiences, as the President of Asian Vision Institute (AVI), he has been developing and managing projects on geopolitical risk analysis, sustainable development, and inclusive digital economy, and also overseeing the operations of the institute. He also played a crucial role in drafting aide memoire and speeches/remarks for the leaders of the National Assembly of Cambodia as the Chair of the Advisory Council in 2019. In the same year, as an Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, he provided policy analysis and inputs and drafted speeches/remarks for the chief diplomat. From September 2018 to January 2019, he was an Associate Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, where he worked on a research project concerning the Geopolitics of the Mekong Region.
Mr. Eisuke Tachikawa
Director
Eisuke Tachikawa boasts an impressive and diverse professional background. His education journey began in 2000 when he entered Hosei University Undergraduate School, where he studied in the Faculty of Architecture. He graduated from Hosei University in 2004. Without delay, he then pursued further studies at Keio University Graduate School, entering the Faculty of Science and Engineering Department of Architecture in April 2004. He graduated from Keio University in September 2006.
His work history is just as impressive as his educational background. In 2017, he was appointed as a Special Guest Associate Professor at Keio University's Graduate School of System Design and Management. The following year, he served as Branding Director for the Shizuoka City Art Center Formation Project, which was overseen by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Most recently, in July 2020, he was named a creator for the planning and review of the OSAKA KANSAI Expo 2025.
He currently holds the position of CEO and Design Strategist at NOSIGNER, and is the Chairman of the Japan Industrial Design Association. Other roles include Visiting Professor at Kanazawa College of Art, and Board of Directors member at the World Design Organization. He also serves as an advisor for the Ishikawa Prefecture Noto Peninsula Earthquake Restoration and Reconstruction. Additionally, he is the Chief Design Officer and Director at both Machimirai Co., Ltd. and Naorai Co., Ltd, a Director at 47 PLANNING Co., Ltd, and the Chief Design Officer and Director at ZENLOOP Co., Ltd.
KIT Leadership
Dr. Masamu Kamaga
President
Dr. Masamu Kamaga, currently serving as the President of the Kirirom Institute of Technology (KIT) in Cambodia, brings with him a rich academic background and extensive professional experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from Chiba University, Japan, and obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Engineering from the esteemed Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Dr. Kamaga began his career conducting power electronics research at prestigious organizations such as AIST and TOSHIBA. Later, he transitioned into academia, taking up teaching and research roles at Maranatha Christian University and Bina Nusantara University in Indonesia. Here, he also lent his expertise as a guest lecturer at numerous universities and high schools and was selected as a speaker at the 2016 TEDxBandung event.
In 2019, Dr. Kamaga joined KIT Cambodia, initially serving as the Vice President for Academic Affairs. During this period, he orchestrated major curriculum revisions across all departments, including the Foundation Year Program, revamped the student policy and handbook, and successfully transitioned to e-Learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2021.
As the Vice President for Global Engagement for the 2022-2023 term, he led KIT Cambodia's internationalization initiatives and promoting digital education in alignment with global digitalization standards through the Center for Teaching and Learning. His diverse experience coupled with his enduring dedication to excellence positions him as an invaluable asset to the KIT community.
Our Journey
KEY INITIATIVES
FIVE KEY INITIATIVES OF THE NEW KIT MANAGEMENT
Educating Digital and AI Engineers: This initiative is dedicated to developing engineers who are proficient in digitalisation and AI. The goal is to drive societal impact and advancements through the creation and implementation of innovative digital and AI solutions.
Fostering Leadership with Entrepreneurship and Resilience: This initiative aims to nurture adaptable leaders in the digital and AI realm. The focus is on instilling a resilient and entrepreneurial mindset, empowering these leaders to navigate and excel in the fast-paced, ever-evolving digital landscape.
Propelling Rural Development through Technology and SMEs: This initiative seeks to leverage technology and collaborations with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for rural advancement. It is a concerted effort towards bridging the rural-urban divide by making technology accessible and beneficial to rural communities.
Encouraging Sustainable Innovation through a Stronger Connection with Nature: This initiative underscores the importance of preserving nature and promoting sustainable development. It encourages the use of advanced technology to develop eco-friendly solutions and practices, thereby fostering a stronger connection with nature.
Global Collaborations, Especially with Japanese Industries: This initiative is focused on strengthening collaborations, particularly with Japan, to address global challenges and explore new opportunities. It aims to foster a global community of learners and innovators, united in their effort to make a positive impact on the world.
Location
Nestled within the picturesque Kirirom National Park, Kirirom Institute of Technology stands as Cambodia's premier institution for fostering innovation and critical thinking. Surrounded by the park's lush greenery, the institute offers students a serene and inspiring environment conducive to academic exploration and personal growth.
Adjacent to the institute, the vKirirom Pine Resort provides a tranquil retreat for students and visitors. The resort's comfortable accommodations and range of activities offer a welcome respite from academic pursuits, allowing individuals to rejuvenate and appreciate the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
This unique combination of academic rigor and leisure activities creates a well-rounded experience for those who choose Kirirom as their destination.