In 2006, SEARCA has launched the "Academic Bridging Program for CLMV," an assistance program for nationals of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam (collectively known as CLMV). In 2009, SEARCA has expanded the breadth of the Program to include Timor-Leste as well.

The Program aims to provide assistance to best qualified scholarship candidates from the transition economies of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and 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.

Hosted by different universities, scholars under the Program undertake undergraduate technical courses that would enhance their knowledge in their respective areas of specialization. The Program also has provisions for specialized training courses to improve the scholars’ English language proficiency and other technical skills.

In SY 2006-2007, nine scholars from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam were awarded under the Program which was implemented by SEARCA in partnership with Khon Kaen University (KKU). They had all completed their International Graduate Diploma in Agro-biosystem at KKU in Khon Kaen, Thailand from on 16 March 2007.

In SY 2009-2010, five nationals of Timor-Leste have been awarded scholarships for non-degree courses in agricultural economics, animal science, agronomy, and community development at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, Philippines. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports the scholarships of said Timorese scholars.

Academic Bridging Scholarship Statistics

Cumulative number of completed and ongoing scholarships for academic bridging supported by SEARCA as of 01 July 2009: