SEARCA News

Knowing the importance of factual journalism in promoting biotechnology, SEARCA, through its Biotechnology Information Center (BIC), the Joe Burgos Pen, Inc., Department of Agriculture (DA)-Biotechnology Program Office, DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, and the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines teamed up to recognize the country's leading science and technology journalists. This year's awardees, who were recognized based on the best news and feature stories in the past year, include Louise Maureen Simeon, Ace June Rell Perez, Stephanie Tumampos, Jasper Arcalas, and Charissa Luci-Atienza. Institutional awards were also given to Business Mirror, the Philippine Star, and Manila Bulletin for publishing the most… Read more

Recognizing the importance of integrating research, effective communication, and science-based regulatory frameworks in harnessing the full potential of agribiotechnology to fuel sustainable agricultural development, SEARCA partnered with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA) Southeast Asia, Malaysian Biotechnology Information Center (MABIC), and Monash University in organizing the Asian Short Course on Agribiotechnology, Biotechnology Regulation, and Communication (ASCA). It will run from December 2-6, 2019 in the Philippines. Now on its second year, this program aims to enable participants to have a better understanding of the entire value chain of living modified organisms (LMOs), as well as national… Read more

Taipei, Taiwan – Executive Board members of the University Consortium attended the 32nd Executive Board Meeting on 21-22 November 2019 at National Taiwan University (NTU) in Taipei, Taiwan. Regular Member institutions represented in the meeting include: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) represented by Dr. Robiah Yunus, Dean, School of Graduate Studies, and Mr. Saiful Maskan, Senior Assistant Registrar; Kasetsart University (KU) represented by Dr. Buncha Chinnasri, Assistant to the President, and Dr. Naroon Waramit, Assistant to the President for Academic and International Affairs, Kamphaeng Saen Campus; Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) represented by Dr. Djagal Wiseso Marseno, Vice Rector for Education, Learning… Read more

Taipei, Taiwan – The National Taiwan University (NTU) served as host for the 32nd Executive Board Meeting on 21-22 November 2019. The institution was formally accepted as an Associate Member of the University Consortium (UC) early this year. NTU is one of the top comprehensive and research-oriented universities in Taiwan. It provides a diverse, competitive, and international curriculum while insisting on a strong academic training for cutting-edge research and development. It is also one of the world's preeminent research and education institutes that provides leadership and academic excellence in a wide array of disciplines across science, arts, and the humanities… Read more

Taipei, Taiwan - Universitas Brawijaya (UB) was welcomed as a Regular Member of the University Consortium (UC) during the 32nd Executive Board Meeting at National Taiwan University (NTU) on 21-22 November 2019. UB was founded in 1961 and is one of the leading universities in Indonesia which specializes in agriculture, medicine, economics, law, engineering, and information technology. The institution also has a number of international linkages with academic exchange programs and double degree offerings in MS and PhD, more than 1,200 international student enrollment and numerous SCOPUS-indexed publications. UB articulated their intent to join the UC during the 29th UC… Read more

Taipei, Taiwan – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), and Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 22 November 2019 regarding the Tokyo NODAI-UC Scholarship for Dissertation Doctorate Program. This partnership aims to enhance the agricultural research and development in Southeast Asia by allowing SEAMEO scholars to be conferred a doctorate degree from Tokyo NODAI upon satisfying the requirements for doctorate dissertation work.  Tokyo NODAI offers a unique, integrated approach to agricultural education through its… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) welcomes Prof. Joselito G. Florendo, a distinguished educator and administrator at the University of the Philippines (UP), as its new Deputy Director for Administration effective 1 December 2019. Prof. Florendo is an Associate Professor at the UP Diliman (UPD) Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business. Having served as Vice President for Planning and Finance of the UP System from May 2014 to November 2019, Prof. Florendo brings with him an extensive experience in administration. Prior to that, he also served as Assistant Vice President for Planning and… Read more

MAKATI CITY - Eleven Southeast Asian nationals received their scholarship awards under the In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture or SEARCA. The scholarship award is for academic year 2019-2020 to pursue their graduate studies at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The DAAD Handover Ceremony was held on 25 November 2019 at the German Club, Makati City. The First Secretary for Cultural Affairs, Mr. Kai Tomzig, assisted by Mrs. Katja Becker-Sliwa, DAAD representative and Lecturer at UP Diliman, handed over the… Read more

"When you are an agriculturist or scientist, you will see the world and the world will see you" - these were the words of Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Director, Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio to the delegates of the 4th Agri-biotech Boot Camp held on November 13-15, 2019 at Los Baños, Laguna. Dr. Gregorio, currently the youngest scientist in the country to have been named as an Academician by the National Academy of Science and Technology, underlined the importance of engaging the youth in agri-technology and encouraged the students to explore a career… Read more

ORIENTAL MINDORO AND LEYTE – Now on its wrap up stage, SEARCA's project titled Piloting and Up-scaling Effective Models of Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development visited its two pilot sites in Inopacan, Leyte and Victoria, Oriental Mindoro on 12-15 and 18-19 November 2019, respectively. The activity was held in preparation for the writing of the project guidebook. It was led by Dr. Jose R. Medina, ISARD Overall Program Coordinator; Dr. Jose R. Bacusmo, Leyte On-Site Coordinator; Dr. Ma. Conception Mores, Mindoro On-Site Coordinator; and Dr. Lily Ann Lando, ISARD Guidebook Writer. Ms. Donna Bae N. Malayang, Program Associate… Read more