Eighty-three students from New Era University College of Communication, accompanied by their instructors, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 25 April 2025 to learn about the important role of communication in the field of agriculture.
They were welcomed by Dr. Nur Azura binti Adam, SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs, and key Partnerships Unit staff.
During the visit, Ms. Zara Mae Estareja, Senior Associate for Public Relations, briefed the students on the Center's core programs. She discussed the challenges encountered in agricultural communication, such as simplifying complex research findings for general audiences, countering misinformation, and influencing stakeholders to take action.
"Communicating agricultural science helps connect research findings with practical applications," she said.
"Regardless of your field of study, as communicators, you can utilize your skills in popularizing research findings and innovative technologies in agriculture. This will help the general public appreciate agriculture more," she explained.
In this context, Ms. Estareja highlighted SEARCA's communication strategies for disseminating agriculture breakthroughs, including public relations, publications, knowledge events, and SHARING AgriMuseum and Café, as well as how its grants support sharing of non-SEARCA agricultural research findings.
To cap the visit, the students toured the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) AgriMuseum and the SEARCA Sky Garden.
By opening its doors to students from basic, secondary, and tertiary levels, SEARCA actively cultivates an appreciation and a deeper understanding of agriculture among the youth. These activities highlight the Center's commitment to nurturing a new generation that recognizes the vital role of agriculture.