SEARCA News

In sync with initiatives for ASEAN integration starting in 2015, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) has spearheaded a series of meetings toward internationalization and harmonization of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Southeast Asia. The first of these meetings took place on 24-26 August 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand among High Officials, which announced a drive to expand collaboration on internationalization and harmonization of TVET in the region by identifying practical mechanisms and comprehensive action plans among priority industry sectors, namely: 1) hospitality and tourism; 2) electronics, mechatronics, manufacturing, and applied chemistry; 3) agriculture and… Read more

MAKATI CITY, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) presented two umbrella programs for attaining inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia during APEC’s Symposium/Workshop on Planning a Collaborative Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Program on Climate Change on 16-17 September 2015 at the Manila Peninsula, Makati City. The symposium is hosted by the DA System Wide Climate Change Office (DAWSCCO) and DA-BAR with the support from DA’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA Project 1) being implemented by  SEARCA and UPLBFI… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – H.E. Myint Hlaing, Union Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation of Myanmar, acknowledged and thanked the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) for its efforts to develop human resources in Myanmar's fledgling agriculture sector anchored primarily on rice… Read more

As Myanmar focuses on improving its rice industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI) is looking to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) for assistance in graduate education and short-term training to produce new rice breeders, scientists, and researchers… Read more

Dr. Fabrizio Bresciani, the lead regional economist at the Asia and Pacific Division of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study (SEARCA) on 9 September 2015 to discuss the grant proposal entitled “Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration in the ASEAN Region: Responding to Food Security and Inclusiveness Concerns.” Dr. Bresciani was welcomed by Dr. Bessie M. Burgos and Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma, Program Heads of SEARCA’s Research and Development Department, and the Graduate Education and Institutional Development Department, respectively… Read more

Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. has been appointed to an unprecedented third term as Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).  He will continue to serve in this capacity until 13 July 2018… Read more

Dr. Cecilia N. Gascon (PhD Forestry, UPLB 1995-1998) was voted by the Bulacan State University (BulSU) Board of Regents as its new chief executive officer starting 1 September 2015.  The oath-taking ceremony, administered by Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, CHED Chair, took place at the Central Office of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on 11 August 2015, after the BOR elections… Read more

Dr. Rolando A. Delorino (MS Environmental Studies, UPLB 1986-1988) was appointed by the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as the 6th President of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP). Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, CHED Chair, administered the oath in August 2015, after the Governing Board members of UEP voted unanimously in favor of Dr. Delorino. Within his term as President, Dr. Delorino aims to “enhance the relevance of UEP’s academic, research and extension programs in the light of national development thrusts and international standards; strengthen the University’s resource generation capacity in order to provide sustained support for the viable… Read more

Another SEARCA alumnus has been appointed as a university chief executive in Indonesia. Prof. Dr. M. Maksum Mahfoedz (PhD and MS Agricultural Engineering, 1985-1989, 1982-1985) was officially sworn in as the new Rector of the University of Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Indonesia by General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Prof. Dr. KH Said Aqil Siroj on 10 July 2015. The elected rector Prof. Dr. Maksum said he envisions UNU Indonesia to become an outstanding university and the melting pot for the academic world, Islam, nationality, and struggle. “My attitude is sami'na wa atho'na, and will manage the UNU Indonesia based on the… Read more

Following the signing of the Nagoya University (NU)-SEARCA Joint PhD Research Scholarship in Agriculture in March 2015, two Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) officials have been awarded the said scholarships to finish their PhD at the Nagoya University Satellite Campus for Bio-agricultural Sciences based at the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia… Read more