SEARCA in the News

THE Southeast Asian Ministers of Education-Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) hosted a pivotal symposium dedicated to "Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Sustainable Development," commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand on Aug. 27, 2024. The event celebrated the strong ties between the two countries and delved into cutting-edge strategies for promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The symposium was inaugurated by SEAMEO INNOTECH director and former Education chief Leonor Magtolis-Briones, PhD, who greeted the distinguished ambassadors from Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam, along with other participants. Asst. Prof. Nuchanata Mungkung followed with an address, emphasizing… Read more

SOME 33 faculty and administrators from 23 higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia 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 Healthcare and Education for Asian Development (HEAD) Foundation (THF) from March 14 to July 31, 2024, the program was on its sixth run with university presidents, faculty deans, department heads and other HEI leaders with administrative positions participating. According to SEARCA, the participants at the closing session presented highlights… Read more

THE Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition (RECFON) is exploring collaboration with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to advance food and nutrition initiatives. This, as RECFON officials met with SEARCA representatives last August 14 to discuss updates on the 2nd SEAMEO International Conference on Food and Nutrition (ICFN) 2024, and explore possible collaborations on their Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) program. To be held in September this year, the ICFN 2024 conference will focus on the gains, challenges and opportunities in Southeast Asia's environmental and… Read more

TWO professors of the Cavite State University completed the 2024 Leadership Development Program for Higher Education Institutions in Southeast Asia. They were the Dean of the Graduate School and Open Learning College Dr. Bettina Joyce P. Ilagan and Associate Professor V Dr. Rhodora S. Crizaldo. Dr. Ilagan and Dr. Crizaldo attended the face-to-face sessions in Bangkok, Thailand last May 7-9 for the pitching and refinement of their Re-Entry Action Plan, according to CVSU. They joined other delegates from 23 participating HEIs in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The four-month hybrid training program was co-organized by the… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has forged ties with the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Laguna and Straw Innovations Ltd. to advance sustainable agricultural practices. With this, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Santa Cruz, Laguna, on August 9. The MoU signatories were Associate Professor Joselito Florendo, SEARCA deputy director for administration; Roel Fabillan, PAFC Laguna chairman; Marlon Tobias, PAFC Laguna co-chairman; and Jay-Rness Ceria, Straw Innovations Ltd. business development manager. Eric Reynoso, SEARCA Emerging Innovation for Growth Department program head… Read more

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) director Dr. Glenn Gregorio was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Professional of the Year in Agriculture by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Held on August 2, 2024, at Conrad Manila, the award ceremony honored 33 professionals across various fields, with Gregorio distinguished among eight awardees in the technology cluster. Gregorio's nearly three-decade career has provided valuable insights and contributions to agriculture including groundbreaking advances in rice breeding at IRRI, developing over 20 rice varieties adopted in multiple countries, and breeding programs across various continents at East-West Seed Company… Read more

THE Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has recognized Glenn Gregorio, PhD, as the 2024 Outstanding Professional of the Year in Agriculture, a testament to his significant contributions to agricultural innovation. Gregorio is the director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), mandated to strengthen institutional capacities in agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia. The award ceremony on August 2, 2024 at Conrad Manila in Pasay City honored 33 professionals across various fields, with Gregorio distinguished among eight awardees in the technology cluster. His expertise and leadership have made a profound impact on… Read more

Kinilala ng Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) si Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Direktor ng Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) bilang 2024 Outstanding Professional of the Year in Agriculture dahil sa kanyang makabuluhang kontribusyon sa pagbabago ng agrikultura. Sa ginanap na Awarding Ceremony nitong Agosto 2, 2024 sa Conrad Manila, pinarangalan ang 33 propesyonal sa iba't ibang larangan, kung saan si Gregorio ay nakilala sa walong awardees sa cluster ng teknolohiya. Ang kanyang kadalubhasaan at pamumuno ay gumawa ng malalim na epekto sa agrikultura, hindi lamang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong Asya at Africa. Higit… Read more

PASAY CITY — Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), has been recognized as the 2024 Outstanding Professional of the Year in Agriculture by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), a testament to his significant contributions to agricultural innovation. Held on August 2, 2024 at Conrad Manila, the award ceremony honored 33 professionals across various fields, with Gregorio distinguished among eight awardees in the technology cluster. His expertise and leadership have made a profound impact on agriculture, not just in the Philippines but across Asia and Africa. Beyond being… Read more

Lucena City—The creation of a coconut industry roadmap for Quezon will enable the province to address supply challenges and increase the income of planters, according to its top local official. In an interview following the opening of the 2024 Niyogyugan Festival last Friday, Quezon Governor Helen Tan noted that the province is among the top producers of coconut in the Philippines, accounting for 10 percent of total supply nationwide. However, Tan said the coconut industry of the province is currently grappling with a number of challenges, including the ill effects of El Niño. She said the weather phenomenon compounded existing… Read more