Michael Renfrew
- Andrew Millar
- May 27
- 4 min read
Moved to: University of Puthisastra
Moved from: EnergyLab
Congratulations to Dr. Michael Renfrew on His New Role at the University of Puthisastra. We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Michael Renfrew on his recent appointment as Director of Research at the University of Puthisastra (UP) in Phnom Penh. This transition marks a significant milestone in his professional journey and reflects his unwavering dedication to sustainable development, innovation, and academic excellence in Cambodia.
Reflecting on His Transformative Tenure at EnergyLab Cambodia
Dr. Renfrew joined EnergyLab Cambodia in January 2023, where he played a vital role in shaping the clean energy landscape as Program Lead and later as Operations and Program Lead. During his time with the organization, he became a driving force behind several impactful initiatives that directly contributed to Cambodia’s ambitious climate and energy goals.
He was instrumental in supporting the nation’s aim to achieve 70% renewable energy in its national grid by 2030. His work extended far beyond internal strategy—he engaged with stakeholders across government, private sector, and civil society to ensure that policy developments, particularly around electric mobility, were grounded in both research and practical implementation. One of the highlights of his work was the contribution to the National Electric Vehicle Roadmap, a forward-looking document that aligns with Cambodia’s broader sustainability objectives.
Michael also championed public engagement and awareness through key events such as Clean Energy Week and the Electric Mobility Showcase. These platforms brought together innovators, investors, policymakers, and academics to share knowledge, build connections, and spark new ideas. Under his leadership, EnergyLab released its first Fellowship Report, which offered a critical analysis of Cambodia’s energy future and highlighted pathways to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels while boosting local innovation.
Through this combination of policy input, public engagement, and evidence-based research, Dr. Renfrew helped elevate EnergyLab Cambodia’s profile as a leading voice in the region’s energy transition efforts. His departure leaves a legacy of thoughtful leadership and systems-level thinking that will continue to influence the sector long after his tenure.
Stepping into a New Role at the University of Puthisastra
In early 2025, Dr. Renfrew embraced an exciting new challenge as Director of Research at the University of Puthisastra, one of Cambodia’s leading institutions in health sciences, technology, and innovation. His appointment marks an important step in UP’s continued commitment to expanding its academic reputation and research footprint in Southeast Asia.
As Director of Research, Michael is tasked with strengthening the university’s research capabilities across faculties, supporting the development of academic publications, and fostering a culture of inquiry, collaboration, and innovation. His leadership is expected to bring structure and inspiration to research practices, ensuring they meet international standards while remaining locally relevant. In his new role, he will also play a key role in mentoring young researchers, developing interdisciplinary projects, and forging partnerships with external institutions and donors.
The University of Puthisastra has positioned itself as a hub for Cambodia’s next generation of health professionals, IT specialists, and researchers, and Michael’s vision aligns closely with this mission. His experience at the intersection of academia, policy, and sustainable development makes him ideally suited to guide the university’s research strategy through a period of growth and global engagement.
In a recent internal communication, UP noted that his appointment is already inspiring renewed focus on research quality, peer-reviewed publication, and international collaboration. His presence at the university is expected to raise both its regional visibility and the impact of its knowledge production, reinforcing its identity as a thought leader in health and science education.
A Journey Marked by Impact and Integrity
Dr. Michael Renfrew’s professional path has been shaped by a deep commitment to using knowledge and collaboration as tools for social progress. From his early academic pursuits through to his influential work in the energy and sustainability sectors, he has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to connect strategy with implementation, and ambition with humility.
His time at EnergyLab showcased his strengths in both thought leadership and operational execution—qualities that will serve him well as he takes on a broader institutional role at UP. His efforts to build inclusive, forward-thinking programs have not only advanced specific agendas like clean energy adoption or electric mobility, but also empowered Cambodian professionals to become agents of change in their own right.
Moving into higher education leadership at a time when Cambodia is positioning itself as a regional knowledge economy, Michael’s arrival at the University of Puthisastra is especially timely. He brings with him a fresh, systems-oriented perspective that is grounded in real-world challenges and opportunities. His work is likely to influence research not only within the university but also across Cambodia’s broader academic and development ecosystem.
In celebrating this professional transition, we also celebrate the larger journey—a commitment to capacity building, sustainable development, and evidence-based practice. As he bridges the gap between applied innovation and academic inquiry, Dr. Renfrew is helping define a new model of leadership for Cambodia: one that is rigorous, collaborative, and relentlessly focused on impact.
Final Thoughts
We commend Dr. Michael Renfrew for his outstanding contributions at EnergyLab Cambodia and enthusiastically welcome his next chapter at the University of Puthisastra. His leadership, intellect, and vision have already left a meaningful mark on Cambodia’s clean energy sector, and we are confident that his role in research leadership at UP will be equally transformative.
The intersection of academic research and sustainable innovation is where many of the region’s most pressing challenges will be addressed in the years ahead. With Michael at the helm of UP’s research division, there is every reason to expect exciting developments that benefit students, communities, and the country as a whole.
We wish him every success in his new role and look forward to following the continued evolution of his impactful career.