Academic Bridging Program for CLMV and Timor-Leste

In 2006, SEARCA launched the "Academic Bridging Program" which is an assistance program for nationals of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. This was expanded in 2009 to include Timor-Leste.

The Program aims to provide assistance by upgrading the BS degree of agriculture graduates and qualified scholarship applicants from the transition economies of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste to enable them to qualify for admission to the Graduate School of reputable universities in Southeast Asia and even outside the region.

Scholars under the Program undertake undergraduate technical courses hosted by different SEARCA partner universities to enhance their knowledge in their respective areas of specialization. The Program also has provisions for specialized training courses to improve the scholars' English language proficiency and other technical skills.

Nationals of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam were awarded scholarships to pursue International Graduate Diploma in Agro-biosystem at Khon Kaen University (KKU), Thailand while those from Timor-Leste were awarded scholarships for non-degree courses in agricultural economics, animal science, agronomy, and community development at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, Philippines. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supported the scholarships of said Timorese scholars.

The Academic Bridging Program also supports enrollment in the following annual technical/training courses:

• Language Instruction Towards Excellence (LITE) program at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, Philippines
• Summer Program in Economics (SPE) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, Philippines
• Other English Training courses in International Study Posts
• Summer Schools