SEARCA has awarded scholarships to five Timor-Leste nationals to pursue non-degree courses under an Academic Bridging Program at the University of the Philippines Los Baņos (UPLB).

The Program aims to provide assistance to best qualified scholarship candidates from the transition economies of Southeast Asia, including Timor-Leste, in upgrading the BS degree of agriculture graduates to enable them to qualify for admission to the Graduate School of reputable universities in Southeast Asia and even outside the region.

Scholars under the Program take up undergraduate technical courses that would enhance their knowledge in their respective areas of specialization. Specialized training courses to improve English language proficiency and other technical skills may also be undertaken by scholars under the Program.

Two of the five Timorese scholars have begun their academic bridging program in June 2009. They are Mr. Afonso Alves D.J. Candido, who teaches at the Faculty of Economics, Institute of Business, and Mr. Natalino B. Martins, who works with Caritas Australia Timor-Leste. Mr. Candido is pursuing a non-degree program in agricultural economics and Mr. Martins, a non-degree program in animal science.

The other three scholars have deferred their enrolment to School Year 2010-2011, namely: Ms. Ana Jeannie Magno De Corte-Real Araujo (agronomy), Mr. Ergilio F. Vicente (community development), and Ms. Elda G. Da Silva (agronomy). Ms. De Corte-Real Araujo works with the International Labor Organization, while Mr. Vicente and Ms. Da Silva are affiliated with Centro Juventude Covalima and Vocational Training Center, respectively.

The scholarships of the five scholars undertaking the Academic Bridging Program are supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).