Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nhung, Vice-Minister of Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), will keynote the opening ceremonies of SEARCA’s 54^th Governing Board (GB) Meeting on 20-22 August 2008 in Vietnam. Also speaking at the opening ceremonies are Dr. Dang Kim Vui, Chair of and Rector of the Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry and Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Director of SEARCA.

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site
located in Quâng Ninh province, Vietnam.
(www.new7wonders.com)

The primer describes Vietnam's agriculture and its significant contributions in bolstering the country's overall economy. It features the primary agricultural commodities produced for the import and export market and the market trend. It also discusses government interventions and policy reforms that have had profound impact on development efforts. It contains recommendations on public investment and research and development to boost the agriculture sector.

The 54^th GB meeting will discuss SEARCA’s proposed Ninth Five-Year Plan covering 2009-2014.

MOET will also confer certificates of merit to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and SEARCA for their contributions to Vietnam's education and human development.

To date, SEARCA has provided 99 graduate scholarships to Vietnamese nationals. A number of Vietnamese alumni now hold important posts in the academe, research, and even in the private sector. Moreover, at least 215 Vietnamese have benefited from 44 training courses conducted by SEARCA. The courses have equipped them with up-to-date knowledge and skills in agriculture and related fields.

Established in 1966 and based in the Philippines, SEARCA promotes poverty reduction and food security in Southeast Asia through graduate education, short-term training, research and development, and knowledge management. It has 11 Southeast Asian member countries, eight associate members, and partners. It is one of the regional centers of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).