The heads of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) discussed the possibilities for SEARCA to collaborate with the DOST on scholarships intended to develop capacities and expertise of Filipinos to address climate change.
Director Gil C. Saguiguit Jr. of SEARCA and Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña held the brief discussion at the opening of the annual Los Baños National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration dubbed "SyenSaya" on August 2.
In the past, SEARCA has had sporadic collaborations with the DOST, including those with its precursor, the National Science and Development Board (NSDB).
NSDB funded a nationwide program called the Social Laboratory, a strategy for rural and agricultural development carried out in partnership with higher-education institutions to uplift the socioeconomic conditions of rural farming communities.
Saguiguit said, "In view of the changing landscape of agriculture and SEARCA's focus on promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development it is imperative that we look to S&T in order to produce more from less."
He underscored that it is toward this end that SEARCA is exploring possibilities to collaborate with the DOST on agricultural R&D and capacity-building initiatives, including said scholarships for advanced studies on climate change.