SEARCA awarded six PhD research scholarships to an Indonesian, a Laotian, and four Filipinos for school year 2010/2011 to enable them to conduct their doctoral dissertation researches and complete their doctoral degrees on topics focused on the Center’s priority thrusts under the broad themes of promotion of agricultural competitiveness and natural resource management.

The awardees and their nationalities, degree programs, study posts, and dissertation titles  are:

• Ms. Imas Sukaesih Sitanggang, Indonesian, PhD in Computer Science (Database System), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia; “Modeling Peatland Fires Risk Using Spatial Decision Tree, a case study of the Province of Riau, Indonesia;”
• Mr. Phoutthasone Sibounnavong, Laotian, PhD in Biotechnology in Plant Pathology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand; “Biological Activities of Antagonistic Fungi to Control Fusarium Wilt of Tomato;”
• Mr. Arvin P. Vallesteros, Filipino, PhD in Forest Resources Management, UPLB; “Integrating Information Technology and Local Knowledge to Detect and Measure Forest Degradation;”
• Ms. Van Leah B. Alibo, Filipino, Straight PhD in Environmental Science, UPLB; “Carbon Storage and the Role in Climate Change Mitigation of the Caimpugan Peatland in Agusan Marsh, Philippines;”
• Mr. Stephen Rey P. Ligasan, Filipino, PhD in Community Development, UPLB; “Vulnerability, Coping Mechanisms, and Disaster Risk Management as Factors Influencing the Effects of Flood Risks to Households in Selected Rice Farming Communities of Pototan, Province of Iloilo, Philippines;” and
• Ms. Hyde D. Nadela, Filipino, PhD in Animal Science, UPLB; “Physiological Responses of Heat-Stressed Broiler Chickens Subjected to Early Thermal Conditioning and Feed Restriction.”

            SEARCA began awarding PhD research scholarships in November 2005 to give more Southeast Asian PhD students the opportunity to use the resources and facilities available at SEARCA and its network of universities for their research. The grant also aims to help the scholar produce quality research papers for publication and enable them to work with SEARCA's R&D personnel on mutually identified areas of concerns/interests in agriculture and rural development.