(SDN) — THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has been doing its share of modernizing agriculture in Southeast Asia (SEA). And, beyond, perhaps.
Part of this effort is offering scholarships to the residents of the various countries of the region.
One of the latest to enjoy this privilege is Myanmar, one of the member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Other members of the regional bloc are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This month on December 19, the new Myanmar Ambassador to the Philippines U Lwin Oo visited SEARCA in Los Baños, Laguna, and personally thanked the agency for the scholarships enjoyed by some of her countrymen.
Myanmar’s chief diplomat in the Philippines met with his countrymen who are currently studying at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), most of whom are SEARCA scholars.
He expressed his government’s appreciation for the scholarships to SEARCA led by its director, Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, who, together with SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration Joselito G. Florendo welcomed the diplomat.
Lwin is Myanmar’s new ambassador to the Philippines; he presented his credentials to President Rodrigo R. Duterte on December 4, 2019.
In their meeting, Gregorio briefed him on “SEARCA and its programs, many of which are regional in scope and include projects and activities covering Myanmar such as the ongoing project “Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration (ATMI) in ASEAN Countries: Responding to Food Security and Inclusiveness Concerns.”
In relation with this, Myanmar has been particularly actively engaged with SEARCA’s Graduate Education and Institutional Development Program. One hundred Myanmar nationals have received SEARCA scholarship awards for Master’s and Doctorates. Of the total number, 83 have already completed their programs, said SEARCA in an email.
At the briefing the SEARCA director conducted included Florendo, Myanmar Embassy Third Secretary Min Si Thu Zaw, and the wife of the ambassador. (SDN/SEARCA)