Institutions involved in developing human resources through long- and short-term programs have the duty to keep track of the performance of their graduates/ trainees/ grantees to determine accountability and whether or not their HRD programs have impacted on the individual, the institution, or the country. SEARCA has been awarding graduate scholarships to highly qualified nationals of SEAMEO member countries since the establishment of its Graduate Study Program in Academic Year 1968-1969.

Three tracer studies on SEARCA fellows have been conducted in the past (1991, 1992, and 1996). On the other hand, since the establishment of the Southeast Asian University Consortium (UC) for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources, no tracer study has yet been conducted on the UC grantees.

The performance of the SEARCA fellows and UC grantees in their professional career and respective areas of expertise indicate institutional performance as well as the return-on-investment of SEARCA on capability-building in Southeast Asia. Thus, the conduct of a tracer study for both the SEARCA fellows and UC grantees is essential at this time.

The tracer study aims to:

1. Determine the present situation and career movement of fellows/grantees after graduate studies/fellowship;


2. Document the fellows’/grantees’ contributions at the institutional, national, regional, and international levels after completion of higher degree or fellowship; and


3. Determine the fellows’/grantees’ prospective future role and potential contribution to the region in support of SEARCA’s vision and mission.

The study will involve grantees (full or partial) of the SEARCA Graduate Study Program and the University Consortium. Respondents would be all SEARCA fellows from 1970 to 2004 whose graduate studies were fully or partially supported by SEARCA, as well as all UC grantees (students and faculty) whose research or exchange program were either fully or partially supported by SEARCA and the UC from 1989 to 2002.

Data will be gathered using two sets of questionnaires - one for SEARCA fellows and another for the UC grantees. SEARCA fellows’ and UC grantees’ records on file at SEARCA’s Graduate Scholarship Department will also be examined.

Two reports are expected to contain the following:

1. SEARCA fellows:
   
   
   • Information on the whereabouts and present situation of the fellows;
   
   
   • Documentation of contributions of fellows at the institutional, national, regional, and international levels; and
   
   
   • A listing of possible consultants from among the fellow with corresponding fields of expertise.
   
   
2. UC Grantees:
   
   
   • Information on the whereabouts and present situation of the UC grantees (student, faculty, research fellow, professorial chairholder);
   
   
   • Documentation of contributions of fellows at the institutional, national, regional, and international levels; and
   
   
   • A directory of UC grantees per program.
   
   

Download Tacer Study forms:
SEARCA Fellows Tracer Study Survey Form
UC Grantees Tracer Study Survey Form