Over the past 50 years, SEARCA has implemented and supported numerous capacity building and research programs and projects in the 11 member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), its mother organization.
With Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., SEARCA Director, at its helm since 2009, SEARCA has been the leading SEAMEO center and has effectively worked with governments of Southeast Asian countries and other agencies that play a key role in ARD in Southeast Asia.
Moreover, under Dr. Saguiguit's watch, SEARCA has served as a window to Southeast Asia for organizations outside the region that support agriculture and rural development in this part of the world.
Currently, SEARCA is implementing multi-country projects supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), International Foundation for Science (IFS), International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), to name a few.
The reception was attended by representatives of SEARCA's partners among international development organizations, civil society organizations, research institutions, government agencies, the private sector, media, and other SEAMEO centers of excellence. Officials from members of the diplomatic community, particularly from Southeast Asian countries, also graced the event. (Leah Lyn D. Domingo)