SEARCA News

Much of Vietnam’s success story in rice production has been mainly attributed to hybrid rice varieties and increase in production area. But in the Mekong River Delta, the country’s largest granary, agricultural mechanization is also perceived as a key. Amidst all these is Dr. Phan Hieu Hien and his team of dedicated engineers from Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City… Read more

The Regional Director for Asia of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and the Head of Cooperation of the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines were briefed on collaborative projects of IDRC and other Canadian institutions with SEARCA during their visit to SEARCA on 10 August 2016… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, Philippines – Three volunteers from the International Business Machine (IBM) encouraged and coached the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to exploit social media more fully in nurturing and reaching out better to its publics.  … Read more

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA – Eighteen (18) participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam levelled up their knowhow and skills on Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME) for Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (ISARD) at SEARCA on 15-19 August 2016… Read more

In 1973, when Dr. Chya Suthiwanith was offered to set up a Faculty of Natural Resources for the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) at the southern part of Thailand, he felt he was not ready. He had just finished his PhD in Agricultural Education at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1972 through a SEARCA scholarship, so he asked a more senior “Ajahn” or professor to take on the task. However, this senior professor had confidence in Dr. Chya’s capabilities and encouraged him to accept the challenge… Read more

VICTORIA, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines – A courtesy call was made with newly elected Mayor Joselito Malabanan on 3 August 2016 to brief him about SEARCA and the ISARD Piloting project in this municipality. Prof. Rolando Bello, the Overall Coordinator to the ISARD Program, together with the Municipal Agriculturist, Mr. Elmer Cobarrubias, introduced SEARCA as a partner of the LGU and the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT) in the Calamansi Rehabilitation Project in Victoria. After walking him through the previous activities and the status of the project, the mayor assured the commitment of the municipality by extending all… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA - Three staff members of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) explored in a learning event for a national high school some protocols and potentials of the internet, courtesy of the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and partners… Read more

Great teachers know that, more than a job, teaching is a calling. Dr. Naomi G. Tangonan knows by heart what that means. And for this, the former professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) is bestowed the “Outstanding SEARCA Scholarship Alumni (OSSA)” award in the teaching category… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, Philippines -- In the advent of its golden anniversary, SEARCA confers the “Outstanding SEARCA Scholarship Alumni” title to 11 esteemed alumni who were able to champion inclusive and sustainable agriculture and rural development and inspire positive change in their community, the country, as well as in the region. While SEARCA has long considered its graduate scholarship alumni as partners in its pursuit for development in Southeast Asia, this is the first time that the Center launched such a prestigious accolade for its so-called “ambassadors” in the region… Read more

NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar -- “When we went to SEARCA for the University’s strategic planning in 2013, improving YAU’s extension program was identified as a need, and today, this four-day workshop is a giant step toward realizing that goal.&rdquo… Read more