THE Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) organized a Malaysia edition of the "Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture," a career orientation program for senior high school and pre-university students in Sedrang, Malaysia on May 10, 2024.
According to SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio, the program which was organized through SEARCA's Partnerships Unit (PU) together with Pusat Asasi Sains Universiti Putra Malaysia (ASPutra) is under the center's banner youth initiative called Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation (#Y4AGRI).
Known as the Center for Foundation Studies in Science of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), ASPutra is the country's only institution offering a pre-degree program on basic studies in agriculture, agro-bio and science to students with basic knowledge and strong interest in the field.
In her opening message, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marina Mohd. Top @ Mohd. Tah, ASPutra director, welcomed 38 second-semester students to the activity and the SEARCA delegation led by Dr. Nur Azura Binti Adam, deputy director for programs and former dean of UPM Faculty of Agriculture, with Sharon Malaiba, PU head and #Y4AGRI lead.
Emphasizing the relevance of agriculture in the face of challenges in food security and rising food prices, Marina further enjoined the students to support today's current technologies and innovations to revolutionize farming practices in the country.
She also expressed hope that through SEARCA Sowing Seeds, "the students would recognize agriculture's immense potential as a career path and that its role transcends growing crops and extends to nurturing communities, contributing to global food security, and safeguarding food in the present and future."
Joining the activity were Prof. Madya Dr. Noor Azmi Shaharuddin, deputy director for Academic and Research and Dr. Muhammad Alif Mohammad Latif, deputy director for Student Affairs and Industry and Community Relations, as well as faculty and staff, all of ASPutra.
Meanwhile, joining Nur and Malaiba as part of the SEARCA team were Leah Lyn Domingo, public relations specialist, and Loise Ann Carandang, senior associate for communications, both of PU; and Corinta Guerta, technical advisor, Office of the Director.
Nur was the guest lecturer at the Sowing Seeds orientation in Malaysia, who briefed the students on SEARCA's mandate and offerings and showcased some of the cutting-edge technologies and the doors they open for students to venture into agriculture and related fields.
The orientation also included an interactive session that enabled the activity to maximize the students' engagement, allowing them to better appreciate the career and agribusiness opportunities the sector offers.
An overview of SEARCA's graduate scholarship program was also presented to highlight the higher education opportunities that await the students after they finish their bachelor's degrees.
Malaiba thanked ASPutra for their warm welcome highlighting other youth activities that the students may be interested in participating in SEARCA Youth Ambassadors Platform (SAYAP) under the center's internal youth empowerment initiative.
"You are the seeds that will bring bountiful harvest of change," she said, underscoring the potential impact that the youth hold, especially in the future of the agriculture sector.
SEARCA said the session was the second offering of the Sowing Seeds program, which will be held across the Southeast Asian region.
