The development of a sustainable tourism industry and the introduction of the first locally-based university postgraduate course in Cambodia are two key elements of an innovative new UTS International Community Service Project.

With stability returning after 30 years of war and international isolation, Cambodia - one of the world's poorest countries - is now getting some hands-on help from UTS.

Leaving for Cambodia next month to help deliver the new Master of Arts in Tourism Development at the Royal University of Phnom Penh is Leisure, Sport and Tourism Lecturer Ravi Ravinder. He'll be joined by several of his academic colleagues.

The course has just had its first intake, with 25 students beginning studies last month.

Mr Ravinder said the local Cambodian postgraduate tourism course was adapted from the Faculty of Business Tourism Management course after consultation with colleagues in Cambodia, and with the support of the other partner in the project, the University of Bologna in Italy.

"Tourism to Cambodia is growing and people are beginning to see it as a safer destination. Angkor Wat, the famous 12th Century ruin, is a significant tourism attraction in itself, but there is potential for other areas to be developed appropriately," Mr Ravinder said.

Three current and former students of UTS, who will be travelling as Australian Youth Ambassadors to Cambodia, will join Mr Ravinder in Phnom Penh.

For former UTS Tourism student Mark Jackson, who will be involved in the teaching of the sustainable tourism course, the 12 months in Cambodia will be his first major trip overseas. The other two youth ambassadors are recent UTS Communications graduate Lauren Gorfinkel and postgraduate Planning student Jane Fielding.

Lauren will be working on a public communications project for the Royal University of Phnom Penh while Jane will be working for the Cambodian Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

Director of Quality Development Professor Geoff Scott is co-ordinating the project with the support of the University's Vice-President (University Enterprises), Professor Bob Robertson.