SEARCA in the News

AGRICULTURE, animal production and forestry are vital to the creation of a circular economy, and new methods and approaches to these industries must be explored to promote sustainability. This was the consensus reached in the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) 9th Graduate Forum held at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A diverse and multidisciplinary group of experts and scholars from the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia attended to discuss the essence of the circular economy and its relevance across various sectors. Other topics addressed the challenges and… Read more

As a country whose roots run deep within the agricultural sector, the Philippines highly values the staple crops that sustain the tables of the Filipinos. For instance, based on 2023 projections from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s "Grain: World Markets and Trade" report, each Filipino is expected to have consumed around 151.3 kilograms of rice by the end of 2024. With this natural inclination towards rice and other relevant crops, it is no wonder that continuous research for the improvement of crop yield and quality has been established throughout the years — and few have contributed to the… Read more

THE Laguna-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has enlisted Thai expertise to get more young Filipinos into farming. An expert from the Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN) was tapped for SEARCA's career orientation program for youth called "Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture." SEARCA Center Director Glenn Gregorio said this initiative aims to "inspire Southeast Asia's next generation of agricultural leaders by introducing them to cutting-edge agricultural technologies and agri-entrepreneurship." Led by Sharon Malaiba, Partnerships Unite head and Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation or #Y4AGRI lead, the SEARCA team met on… Read more

HIGHER education institutions (HEIs) have a crucial role in achieving food security and economic development, particularly in the post-pandemic era, Glenn Gregorio, director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), said. At the 3rd International Food Research Conference (IFRC) held at the Palm Garden Hotel in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Gregorio said the conference was anchored on the theme "Sustainable Food Industry through Science, Technology, and Innovation." Organized by SEARCA and the Universiti Putra Malaysia, Gregorio said IFRC 2024, which attracted over 200 participants from 26 countries, allowed food researchers to exchange insights and discuss… Read more

The University of San Carlos (USC) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) shared the spotlight when a video featuring the SEARCA Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS)-funded project of USC was named one of the Top 10 entries in the prestigious Nature Awards for the Science in Shorts filmmaking competition. This recognition shines a spotlight on groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture, with the SEARCA x USC entry competing against 250 global submissions. The winning video, titled "Unusually sustainable – bioplastics from shrimp shells plus mango waste!", introduces an innovative approach… Read more

Jakarta - Muhammad Reza Cordova menjadi profesor riset termuda di Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN). Ia dikukuhkah pada April 2024 di usia 37 tahun. Pria kelahiran 3 November 1986 ini sebelumnya sempat terbersit untuk mengejar gelar profesor riset termuda di Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI). Namun, hal tersebut baru terwujud saat nama lembaganya sudah berubah menjadi BRIN. "Sebenarnya saya punya target karena dulu sebelum ada BRIN, masuk LIPI sempat terpetik di pikiran kayaknya seru ya jadi profesor termuda di LIPI, tapi itu terjadinya pas di BRIN," kata Reza di Gedung BRIN, Jl MH Thamrin, Jakarta Pusat, Rabu (11/9/2024). Motivasi… Read more

Cibinong - Humas BRIN. Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) melalui Pusat Riset Tanaman Perkebunan turut berpartisipasi dalam Konferensi Internasional SABRAO (Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania) dan CSSP (Crop Science Society of the Philippines) yang berlangsung pada 12-16 Agustus 2024 di Filipina. Konferensi ini merupakan platform penting untuk memperkenalkan hasil penelitian terbaru serta menjalin kolaborasi di bidang pemuliaan tanaman. Konferensi ini diselenggarakan oleh Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) bekerja sama dengan Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) dari Departemen Sains dan… Read more

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