SEARCA News

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) convened the 70th SEARCA Governing Board Meeting (GBM) on 3 October 2022. It was the second time the Philippines hosted an in-person SEARCA GBM represented by Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Chancellor, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), since Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director, took the helm in 2019. As the highest policymaking body of SEARCA, the Governing Board (GB), composed of representatives from the 11 Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) member countries, conducts an annual evaluation and review of the Center's programs… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) was commissioned by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to conduct the evaluation of the Program on Accelerating Farm School Establishment (PAFSE). PAFSE is one of the programs of TESDA being implemented nationwide which aims to encourage farmers and other private individual to set up farm schools across the country. The program is one of the TESDA’s efforts to give top priority to the provisions of skills training, retooling, reskilling, and upgrading of the labor force, specifically those in the agri-fishery sector. TESDA implements the… Read more

Mr. Ramon Taniola, Senior Consultant of D&L Industries, Inc./Lao Foundation, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 14 October 2022 and met with SEARCA officials to discuss matters of mutual interest. He was received by Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director; Assoc. Prof. Joselito G. Florendo, Deputy Director for Administration; Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma, Senior Program Head, Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD); Dr. Gerlie T. Tatlonghari, Program Head, Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD); Asst. Prof. Glenn N. Baticados, Program Head, Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD); Ms. Sharon A… Read more

The family of Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), is one of the recipients of the Multi-Generation University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Alumni Award conferred by the UPLB Alumni Association (UPLBAA). The special recognition is bestowed on families who have produced three or more successive generations of exemplary UPLB alumni in their own respective fields. The three generations of UPLB graduates in the Gregorio family are the late Dr. Rizalino P. Gregorio (BS Agriculture in honor curriculum, 1958; MS Agricultural Engineering, 1972); his son Dr… Read more

Elementary and high school robotics enthusiasts from all over the Philippines, together with their coaches and parents, assembled at SM North Edsa, Quezon City on 22-23 September 2022, to compete in the 21st Philippine Robotics Olympiad (PRO) Finals. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) partnered with Felta Multi-Media, Inc. as a major sponsor in this year’s PRO. With this year’s theme, “My Robot, My Friend”, the first place winners in the different categories will have the opportunity to be part of the Philippine Robotics National Team 2022 and compete in the World Robot… Read more

Eight delegates from Philippine HEIs participated in the International Summer Course Program for Agriculture and Ecosystem Resilience to Environmental Disaster toward Regional Sustainability, jointly organized by IPB University and Ibaraki University from 11-20 September 2022 in Bogor, Indonesia. The International Continuing Professional Education (ICPE) Grants of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the Leveling-Up Philippine Higher Education Institutions in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Resources (LevelUPHEI AFAR) Project of SEARCA supported the faculty members as they presented their research studies to the international participants. The grant enables members of the State Universities and Colleges - Association of Colleges of Agriculture… Read more

Faculty members from Marinduque State College (MSC), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Romblon State University (RSU), and Western Philippines University (WPU) visited universities in Southeast Asia to conduct research, benchmarking, and capacity-building activities, as well as explore collaborations between their home institutions and the members of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC). The delegates’ specific activities are also part of their institutions’ growing effort to expand partnerships and strengthen their internationalization, which is supported by SEARCA through its project on Leveling Up Philippine Higher Education Institutions in Agriculture, Fisheries, and… Read more

SEARCA, through the Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD), organized an online Info-session for its Joint Scholarship Programs for AY 2023-2024 on 24 September 2022 via the SOLVE Platform. The Center conducted the info session in response to the growing number of joint scholarship programs and the steady increase of applicants wanting to pursue their graduate studies through the Center’s scholarship. The event was also an avenue for interested applicants to explore their options for studying within the region and for SEARCA to emphasize available opportunities that nationals from SEAMEO member countries may consider. As part of the info session… Read more

“Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is interested in exploring synergies with SEARCA, particularly on linkages in agriculture and rural development, noting SEARCA’s work with Southeast Asian countries, especially the Philippines, where sustainable is agriculture has a huge potential for economic growth yet confronted with challenges,” said Dr. V. Bruce J. Tolentino, BSP Monetary Board Member, during their visit to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 9 September 2022. During the exploratory meeting, Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director, briefed the BSP delegation on the Center’s activities and programs under its 11th Five-Year… Read more

Officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) led by its General Development Advisor, Dr. Brent Edelman, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 8 September 2022. They discussed the current food security situation in the Philippines, underlying causes of food insecurity, and potential short-term and medium-term solutions. “Food insecurity is becoming an increasingly important issue for the US Embassy and the US Government here in the Philippines. We are trying to figure out what are the primary food security needs of the Philippines on a short, medium, and long-term… Read more