The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Graduate Study Program has expanded its reach beyond Southeast Asia to advance South-South cooperation by awarding a scholarship to a Liberian for the first time. Mr. Apatens Gardiner, a Master of Science in Agronomy student at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, was granted the SEARCA scholarship in July 2024.
Mr. Apatens graduated with a Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture with honors from William V. S. Tubman University, a public university in Maryland County, Liberia. During his undergraduate studies, he served as the Student President of the university's College of Agriculture and Food Science. At present, he works as a vegetable and grains producer and is committed to advancing his knowledge and skills in the agricultural field.
Mr. Apatens expressed his gratitude to SEARCA for the support provided to him through the scholarship program.
"The SEARCA scholarship enriched my academic journey with learnings, achievements, and personal growth, allowing me to focus on my studies and participate in extracurricular activities. I took advantage of the opportunities it afforded me through attending seminars and international conferences, helping me enhance my skills and experiences for my research work," he shared.
"The scholarship goes beyond lifting financial burdens; it also motivates me to strive and positively impact my community. I also became part of a unique family that is SEARCA," he continued.
SEARCA's Graduate Study Program was established in the academic year 1968/1969. For more than five decades, its scope included capacity-building programs, institutional development assistance, and networking to enhance graduate education in the Southeast Asian region. Presently, SEARCA has started aligning with the Philippine government's initiative to provide educational grants and support outside the region to contribute to the South-South cooperation agenda. This fosters academic growth and strengthens international collaboration in agricultural research and technology.