NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines—The 9th University Consortium Summer School (UC SS), hosted by Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the SEARCA-established Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), brought together 26 graduate students from Southeast Asia, Iran, Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey in an immersive academic program held on 28 July–8 August 2025 at the CLSU campus in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
With the theme "Ridge to Reef: Integrated Management for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems," the program combined online and face-to-face lectures on topics such as ecosystem-based resource management, integrated pest management across agroecosystems, land use assessment, community forestry, coastal zone rehabilitation, environmental degradation by toxic dinoflagellates, and holistic ridge-to-reef approaches to food security. Learning extended beyond the classroom through visits to various CLSU research and extension sites as well as the coastal and marine ecosystems of the nearby province of Aurora.
A highlight of the program was the community homestay on San Salvador Island in Masinloc, Zambales, where participants engaged directly with residents through focus group discussions and conducted interdisciplinary assessments ranging from vulnerability analyses and crop suitability studies to biodiversity surveys, environmental degradation mapping, and waste audits to understand the complexity of local food systems. Divided into six groups, participants integrated field-based evidence and community insights to co-create a Community-Based Resource Management Plan with local residents, offering context-specific, sustainable solutions to enhance food security in the locality.
At the closing ceremony on 8 August 2025, CLSU President Dr. Evaristo Abella thanked the participants for their enthusiastic engagement and courage in stepping beyond their comfort zones to fully embrace academic learning and cultural immersion. Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, SEARCA Senior Program Head for Education and Collective Learning, followed with a brief retrospective on the evolution of the Summer School's current format under the UC and praised the tireless efforts of facilitators, organizers, and host families who ensured the program's success despite the considerable challenges posed by back-to-back typhoons. She underscored the importance of presenting the Community-Based Resource Management Plan to San Salvador residents as the very essence of the program's impact. Both Dr. Abella and Dr. Cuaresma affirmed that the true significance of the 9th UC SS lay not only in its academic and fieldwork components but also in the relationships built, cultural exchanges fostered, and shared dedication to stewarding ecosystems from ridge to reef. They expressed hope that the program's memorable experiences will inspire participants to emerge as champions of sustainability in their respective countries and organizations.
Participants themselves echoes these sentiments through heartfelt testimonials, emphasizing a shared takeaway: real happiness comes not from comfort or material possessions, but from human connections. They agreed that the program deepened their knowledge but also strengthened bonds among peers, facilitators, and host communities. They expressed hope that the 9th UC SS will continue to serve as a platform for collaboration, actionable solutions, and lasting impact.
The Summer School is an annual UC initiative designed to enhance the students' and professionals' understanding of rural development, agriculture, and natural resource management, particularly the sustainable use of the land and water resources in agricultural production across Southeast Asia. Beyond equipping participants with interdisciplinary insights and expert teachings, the program offers a unique multicultural experience and a rare opportunity to gain perspectives from diverse countries and contexts.
