SEARCA News

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through its Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD), in partnership with the Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN), Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia, and the Department of Education (DepEd) Laguna and Palawan, initiated a collaborative benchmarking activity. This activity aimed to strengthen the best practices of the School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE) program in Cambodia through a series of visits to farm schools in Siniloan, Cavinti, and Pila, Laguna on 7–10 August 2024. The benchmarking… Read more

STA. CRUZ, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) strengthened ties with the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) Laguna and Straw Innovations Ltd., through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that aimed to foster their shared commitments toward a more sustainable agricultural practice signed at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, on 9 August 2024. The MOU is a derivative of the initial discussion during the Sectoral Committee Meeting on Rice and lecture-workshop among PAFC Laguna members on the effects of climate change and the production of low-emission rice facilitated… Read more

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia—Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), underscored the crucial role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in achieving food security and economic development, particularly in the post-pandemic era, at the Third International Food Research Conference (IFRC) 2024 held on 6–8 August 2024 at the Palm Garden Hotel. With the theme "Sustainable Food Industry through Science, Technology, and Innovation," the conference gave food researchers the opportunity to exchange insights and discuss their findings and innovations centered on food. It covered sessions on food analysis, food safety and quality… Read more

PASAY CITY, Philippines—Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in the field of Agriculture by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Dr. Gregorio was recognized at the awarding ceremony held on 2 August 2024 at Conrad Manila wherein the PRC hailed 33 recipients in four clusters: engineering; health; business, education and social; and technology. Dr. Gregorio was among the eight awardees in the technology cluster. Extensive contribution to agricultural innovation, research, and education Dr. Gregorio is the 11th SEARCA… Read more

BANGKOK, Thailand – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) showcased its research and administrative initiatives at the SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) 2024 on 17–18 July 2024. Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director, led the SEARCA delegation to the annual meeting. The CDM brought together leaders of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) to discuss strategies for advancing education and research in the region. Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, SEARCA Program Head for Research and Thought Leadership, presented the Center's blueprint for the Consortium for Agricultural Development, Research, and Extension in Southeast Asia (CADRE)… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) held a hybrid Testimonial Ceremony on 1 August 2024 to honor its 42 graduating scholars. The event celebrated the achievements of 38 full Master of Science and PhD scholars and four PhD Research scholars. Nine graduating scholars attended in person and were joined by their families, friends, and SEARCA staff at the SEARCA headquarters, while the rest of the graduates joined virtually. Of the 38, 25 were supported by SEARCA's collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD, Universiti Putra Malaysia, National Taiwan University, Agropolis Fondation… Read more

The Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania (SABRAO) has partnered with the Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP) to host the conference "Emerging Paradigms in Crop Science and Breeding: Cultivating Sustainable Solutions and Partnerships for a Resilient Future" on 12–16 August 2024, at Crimson Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The event is co-organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology. The conference will highlight groundbreaking crop science… Read more

Faculty and administrators of higher education institutions (HEIs) completed the 2024 Leadership Development Program for HEIs in Southeast Asia (LDP-HEIs in SEA), organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and The HEAD Foundation (THF) from 14 March to 31 July 2024. Now on its sixth run, the 2024 cohort is composed of 33 participants from 23 HEIs in six countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. They are university presidents, faculty deans, department heads, and other HEI leaders with administrative positions. At the closing session on 31 July… Read more

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), called on Mindanao State University (MSU) graduates to become "masters, not dependents, of AI" during the university's 60th Commencement Exercises on 30 July 2024. A renowned agricultural scientist and rice breeder, Dr. Gregorio emphasized the crucial role of technology in driving agricultural progress and addressing global challenges. "In essence, agriculture encompasses more than just planting and harvesting; it's about sustainability, innovation, health, and the future we're collectively shaping," he pointed out. Dr. Gregorio's speech connected MSU's mission… Read more

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Foreign Agricultural Service, organized a Training Workshop on Risk and Crisis Communication on 25–26 July 2024 at the Seda Vertis North, Quezon City. Thirty-one biotechnology stakeholders from various government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and state universities and colleges attended the event to equip the next generation of scientists, researchers, and communicators with essential skills to handle risk and crisis communication effectively, particularly in modern biotechnology. Clear and effective science communication for biotechnology Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA… Read more