TAIWANESE and Filipino "Project Lakbay" fellows visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) for an enriching cultural and academic exchange on Feb. 6, 2025.
Lakbay stands for Learning Actively through Knowledge-Based Appreciation for Youth.
The visit of the 19 fellows, together with the University of the Philippines Open University-Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS) and Edu-Connect Southeast Asian Association-Kaohsiung officials and staff, was under the International University Social Responsibility or IUSR framework, which aims to emphasize sustainability and the vital inclusion of youth voices in the development plans.
"Project Lakbay" is a partnership between UPOU-FMDS and Edu-Connect Southeast Asian Association–Kaohsiung. The last "Project Lakbay" visit hosted by SEARCA was in August 2024.
SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs Nur Azura binti Adam welcomed the fellows who were also oriented on the center's scholarship grants through a video presentation.
SEARCA Unit Head of Training for Development Nova Ramos discussed the center's capacity-building programs, including technical training and learning events.
Meanwhile, program specialist Anna Gale Vallez from the Research and Thought Leadership Department shared initiatives in conducting relevant research in agricultural and rural development and implementing support programs and knowledge platforms.
Furthermore, program specialist Lichelle Dara Carlos from the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department presented some of the projects supported by SEARCA's Grants for Research toward Agricultural Innovative Solutions or GRAINS.
The fellows were given a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation or the SHARING AgriMuseum.