LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) celebrated the achievements of 31 SEARCA graduating scholars on 25 August 2026 during its virtual Testimonial Ceremony for Academic Year (AY) 2025-2026, recognizing their academic accomplishments and potential contributions to advancing agriculture and rural development across Southeast Asia.
SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to take their research beyond the academe by translating it into practical solutions that benefit farmers, fishers, policymakers, and communities across Southeast Asia. Dr. Sombilla emphasized that their achievements represent not only academic success but also a commitment to collaborative action, innovation, and sustainable rural development. She called on the graduates to become ambassadors of SEARCA's mission and help turn knowledge into meaningful development impact.
The 31 scholars who completed their graduate programs comprised eight master's and 23 doctoral scholars, including eight PhD research scholars. Of the total, 14 received full SEARCA funding, including all eight PhD research scholars. The other 17 scholars were supported through joint scholarship arrangements with SEARCA's institutional partners: nine by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), one by Center of Excellence for Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN), one by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), two by National Taiwan University (NTU), three by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and one by Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI).
The 31 graduating scholars are listed below by country, together with their degree, academic program, study post, and thesis or dissertation title:
Cambodia
| SEARCA Scholar | Degree and Academic Program | Study Post | Thesis/Dissertation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Channaty Ngang | PhD in Agricultural Science | Kasetsart University (KU) | "The Role of Agricultural Extension in Sustainable Agricultural Intensification Program to Secondary School Students and Communities Through Mini-Agriculture Technology Parks, Cambodia" |
Indonesia
| SEARCA Scholar | Degree and Academic Program | Study Post | Thesis/Dissertation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Moh Hari Rusli | Master in Global Agriculture Technology and Genomic Science | NTU | "Natural Resource Utilization of Rosmarinic Acid from Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus L.) for Green Synthesis of Copper-Rosmarinic Acid Metal-Organic Framework and its Application for Dye Removal" |
| Ms. Verianti Liana | Master in Global Agriculture Technology and Genomic Science | NTU | "Optimizing Edible Bird's Nest (EBN) Productivity: A Sustainable Enzyme with Artificial Intelligence Detection for Feather Cleanup in EBN" |
| Mr. Amar Maruf | PhD in Community Development | UPM | "Exploring the Potential Role of Patron-Client Relationship on Social Resilience to Climate Change Impacts and Risks among Small Scale Sama Bajau Fishermen in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia" |
| Ms. Chairani Putri Pratiwi | PhD in Agricultural Science | Tokyo NODAI | "Leading Change in Rural Communities: An Analysis of Transformational Leadership and Its Effect on Small and Medium Enterprise Development in Indonesia" |
| Ms. Dian Agustina Abidinsyah | PhD in Animal Nutrition | UPM | "Cajanus cajan (Red Gram) Leaves as Concentrate Replacement for Goat" |
| Mr. Duta Setiawan | PhD in Animal Nutrition and Feed Science | Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University) | "Modelling Feed Security And Sustainability For Livestock Production In West Kalimantan: A System Dynamic Approach" |
| Mr. Hendra | PhD in Tropical Agriculture | KU | "Bacterial Microbiota of Rice Seed and Development of Electrochemical Biosensor for Rapid Detection of Bacterial Leaf Blight in Rice" |
| Mr. Imam Tri Wahyudi | PhD in Aquaculture Sciences | IPB University | "Dietary Supplementation of Cinnamaldehyde to Improve Fillet Quality of Stripped Catfish Pangasianodon hyphopthalmus" |
| Ms. Nur Lailatul Rahmah | PhD in Food Engineering | UPM | "Subcritical Water Extraction Process of Tannin from Areca Cathecu and Its Application in Agro-Industry" |
| Mr. Satria Bhirawa Anoraga | PhD in Agricultural Process Engineering | UPM | "Optimization of Subcritical Water Extraction and Drying of Blanched Cocoa Pod Husk Pectin for Jam Production" |
Malaysia
| SEARCA Scholar | Degree and Academic Program | Study Post | Thesis/Dissertation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Mohd Ridzuan bin Mohd Daud | MS in Plant Science | UPM | "Tropical Soil Quality in Selected Fruit Orchards and Arboretum in MARDI Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia" |
| Ms. Yap Sing Yee | MS in Aquaculture | UPM | "Genomic Characterization of Vibrio Species Isolated from Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Asian Seabass Using Next-Generation Sequencing in Malaysia" |
| Mr. M Murughan Manikam | PhD in Forest Management and Ecosystems Sciences | UPM | "Drivers of MTCS/PEFC Forest Management Certification Adoption in Malaysia" |
Myanmar
| SEARCA Scholar | Degree and Academic Program | Study Post | Thesis/Dissertation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Kyi Pyar Aye | PhD in Plant Breeding, Physiology and Ecology | Yezin Agricultural University (YAU) | "Screening of Drought Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes by Root System Architecture, Osmotic Stress and Stress Selection Indices" |
| Ms. Mi Mi Khaing | PhD in Plant Breeding, Physiology and Ecology | YAU | "Selection of Waxy Corn Inbred Lines Based on Direct Effects, Selection Index and Combining Abilities" |
| Ms. Moh Moh | PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics | KU | "Food (In)Security in Urban Myanmar" |
| Ms. Ngwe Sin Moe Satt | PhD in Plant Breeding | University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) | "Introgression of qSUB2 for Enhanced Submergence Tolerance in Faro 66 Rice Variety" |
| Ms. Thaw Tar Tin Shwe Oo | PhD in Plant Breeding | UPLB | "A Novel Approach in Mass Screening of Rice Germplasm for Flood Tolerance" |
| Ms. War War Lin Aung | PhD in Plant Breeding, Physiology and Ecology | YAU | "Genetic Diversity and Detection of Trait-Specific Accessions for Grain Yield and Nutritional Values in Millet" |
Philippines
| SEARCA Scholar | Degree and Academic Program | Study Post | Thesis/Dissertation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Maria Cristina Pammit | MS in Agricultural Economics | UPLB | "Optimal Allocation of Croplands During Dry Season in Selected Towns of Ilocos Norte, Philippines" |
| Ms. Ricel Iana Marie Banayos | MS in Environmental Science | UPLB | "An Institutional Analysis of Ecotourism Governance Planning for Laguna de Bay" |
| Mr. Albaris Talihuddin | PhD in Aquaculture | Kastamonu University | "Investigation of Ice-Ice Disease and the Use of Seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) as a Biofertilizer in Seaweed Cultivation in the Philippines" |
| Ms. Anne Gellie Pablo | PhD in Food Science | UPM | "Microencapsulation of Indian Gooseberry Juice Using Calcium-Alginate Crosslinking: Optimization, Stability and Application in Yogurt" |
| Mr. Ariel Antinero | PhD in Marine Biology | Mindanao State University | "Fish Biodiversity Patterns Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding Towards An Evidence-Based And Resilient Blue Economy In Fisheries Management Area 9, Philippines" |
| Mr. Lawrence Yves Uy | PhD in Genetics | UPLB | "Identification and Annotation of Mutated Genes in Setaria viridis Photosynthesis Mutants" |
Thailand
| SEARCA Scholar | Degree and Academic Program | Study Post | Thesis/Dissertation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Rattiporn Arphavasin | Masters in Agricultural Extension and Development | Sukothai Thammathirat Open University | "Development Guidelines for Agro-Tourism of U Thong Banana Farm Community Enterprise, Suphan Buri Province" |
Vietnam
| SEARCA Scholar | Degree and Academic Program | Study Post | Thesis/Dissertation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Ho Minh Hung | MS in Agronomy | UPM | "Enhancement of Growth and Development of MR297 Rice Variety by Silicate Solubilizing Bacteria Under Different Water Conditions" |
| Mr. Dat Tien Le | PhD in Crop Science | Can Tho University | "Phosphate Solubilizing Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria Effects on the Possibility Absorb Phosphate of Rice Plant Growing on Salinity Soil" |
| Mr. Tran Thanh Liem | PhD in Agricultural Economics | UPLB | "Analysis of the Farmers' Preferences for Advanced Maize Varieties for Feed Production in Son La Province, Vietnam" |
| Ms. Trang Thi My Duyen | PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics | KU | "Assessment of Adaptive Capacity to Salinity Intrusion of Rice Farmers and Local Government in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam" |
A major highlight of the event was the recognition of the Outstanding SEARCA Scholars for AY 2025-2026. Named Outstanding SEARCA Scholar in the master's category was Moh Hari Rusli of Indonesia, a graduate of National Taiwan University. He was recognized for completing his degree within two years, publishing three peer-reviewed articles in Scopus-indexed journals, presenting his research at international conferences, and winning a Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at the 11th Asian Crop Science Association Conference. His research focused on iron nutrition, biofortification, and strategies to mitigate cadmium toxicity in agriculture.
The Outstanding SEARCA Scholar Award in the doctoral category was presented to Chairani Putri Pratiwi, who completed her degree in less than three years with a perfect academic record. During her scholarship period, she published five scientific papers, presented five conference papers, and received two Excellent Paper Awards at international conferences.
SEARCA also recognized scholars who completed their studies within the prescribed scholarship period. Special awards for Graduate-on-Time (GOT) awards were presented to Verianti Liana and Satria Bhirawa Anoraga.
On behalf of the graduating scholars, Rusli and Chairani expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the SEARCA family and their loved ones for the unwavering support they received throughout their academic journeys. Rusli emphasized that the knowledge gained should extend beyond personal achievement and contribute to addressing Southeast Asia's agricultural and food security challenges.
Chairani concluded her message by saying, "SEARCA taught me that success is not just about the destination. It is about the journey, the people, and the lessons we learn along the way."
The ceremony also welcomed the graduates into the Regional SEARCA Alumni Association (RSAA) through an oath-taking ceremony administered by Dr. Weerapon Thongma, President of Maejo University in Thailand and current RSAA Vice-President. He encouraged the new alumni to remain connected, collaborate across borders, and continue contributing to agricultural innovation and sustainable development in the region.
As the newest members of the expanding SEARCA regional alumni network, the graduates join a community of professionals, researchers, educators, policymakers, and development practitioners committed to advancing agricultural and rural development and improving the rural livelihoods across Southeast Asia. They were encouraged to remain active in their respective country associations and the RSAA, strengthen regional collaboration, and apply the knowledge and networks gained through their SEARCA scholarships while continuing to serve as agents of positive change in their respective fields.
Through its graduate scholarship program and partnerships with leading universities and research institutions, SEARCA continues to build a critical mass of highly trained professionals who can generate knowledge, shape policy, advance innovation, and contribute to sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation in Southeast Asia.