THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) commended 34 scholars who completed their graduate studies in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 through a testimonial ceremony on August 4, 2022.
SEARCA said these were 24 full Master of Science (MS) and 10 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) scholars. Out of the 24 full scholars, eight were supported by SEARCA's collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD, Nagoya University in Japan and the Philippine Carabao Center.
At the SEARCA headquarters on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, 12 scholars together with their families attended the event while the rest of the graduates joined via Zoom.
SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio, who joined via Zoom, congratulated the graduates and awardees and told them to enjoy the moment saying that when they go back to their respective countries or institutions, they must level up and make a difference in their country, serving as frontliners in education and agriculture.
In her welcome message, Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, senior program head for the Education and Collective Learning Department, said the scholars were determined to complete their studies despite the ongoing pandemic.
"The SEARCA family is proud of their accomplishments and academic achievements," Dr. Cuaresma said, but cautioned them "to use the knowledge and skills gained while you were SEARCA scholars to change the world, do it in your own little ways, one day at a time and to keep in mind and in your heart that once a SEARCAn, always a SEARCAn."
She also gave recognition to SEARCA's institutional partners such as the universities which served as study posts for scholars, university coordinators and SEARCA's funding partners and donors.
Prof. Joselito Florendo, SEARCA deputy director for administration, also gave an inspirational message and recognized the efforts of scholars in completing their graduate studies.
"We are a family here in SEARCA, who are happy to have supported the scholars," Florendo said. adding that SEARCA is still willing to support and work with them in the next chapter of their professional careers.
According to SEARCA, it was the first time that it awarded a Special Citation to a scholar for her significant academic achievements, in the person of Shahidah MD Nor, a DAAD-SEARCA scholar who obtained a general point average of a perfect 4.0. She pursued Ph.D. in Horticulture at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
SEARCA said the scholar published seven papers as lead author in refereed journals; and presented four others in scientific forums during her incumbency as a SEARCA scholar.
She also presented at the ATMI-ASEAN High Level Policy Forum and was chosen as a Chrysalis Award finalist, meant to contribute to Malaysia's Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economic ecosystem. ATMI-ASEAN stands for Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration-Association of Southeast Asian countries.
The citation was based on academic grade point average, duration of studies in the degree program, papers presented in international conferences, publications in scientific journals, academic awards or recognitions received, and other curricular activities and engagements.
SEARCA awarded the Outstanding Masters and Doctoral scholars for the SEARCA scholarship graduates of FY 2021-2022 to Ma. Genesis Catindig-Reyes, MS in Rural Sociology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and Tuan Syaripah Najihah Tuan Mohd Razali, Ph.D. in Agricultural Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
The awards were based on academic grade point average, duration of studies in the degree program, papers presented in international conferences, publications in scientific journals, academic awards or recognitions received, and other curricular activities and engagements.
Special Awards were also given to the scholars who completed their degrees on time. They were Catindig-Reyes, Philippines, MS in Rural Sociology; Thant Mon Paing, Myanmar, MS in Animal Science; Issaree Supnui, Thailand, Ph.D. Extension Education; Nguyen Thi Quynh, Vietnam, Ph.D. in Agronomy; and Tuan Syaripah Najihah Tuan Mohd Razali, Malaysia, Ph.D. in Agricultural Technology.
On behalf of the graduates, Cantindig-Reyes and Tuan Syaripah Najihah, expressed their thanks to SEARCA for being their second family, for its unwavering guidance, assistance, and patience.
Catindig-Reyes urged her fellow scholars to help educate and train the next generation, especially those not on the same playing field saying, "How can we be of better service to the 'last, the least, and the lost' of our nations, especially in the new normal era?"
On the other hand, Razali pointed out that together with the other SEARCA alumni, she promised to give back to the community through their research in agriculture.
Newly appointed president of the Regional SEARCA Alumni Association (RSAA), Dr. Asdi Agustar administered the RSAA oath of membership.
"With the new SEARCA graduates, SEARCA has succeeded in adding several scientists and researchers in the Asean countries to use their field of specializations in contributing to the development of agriculture in the region," Agustar said.
