LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Nagoya University (NU) formally signed a memorandum of agreement on 13 October 2025 to establish the Nagoya University-SEARCA Joint Transnational PhD Scholarship for Philippine Nationals. The signing ceremony reaffirmed their long-standing partnership, which began in 1986.
The transnational PhD scholarship program is tailored for working professionals in the fields of engineering, agriculture, international development, and environmental studies, allowing them to pursue doctoral studies without leaving their jobs or countries. It will combine face-to-face supervision with online engagement, offering Filipino students an opportunity to visit Japan.
In her welcome remarks, Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, emphasized the institutions' shared commitment to advancing agricultural education and research for sustainable development. For over four decades, SEARCA and NU have collaborated, notably through their joint PhD scholarship program, which has produced outstanding Filipino and Cambodian agricultural leaders who continue to make significant contributions to their countries and the Southeast Asian region.
"This initiative will facilitate the empowerment of the next generation of leaders who will catalyze agricultural transformation," Dr. Sombilla remarked.
"It aligns with SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan focused on the Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), which aims to build a climate-resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agricultural sector," she explained.
She also expressed her gratitude for NU's enduring trust in SEARCA and for serving as one of the Center's most active and reliable partners.
Looking ahead, Dr. Sombilla proposed expanding the program to include countries such as Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste, with the potential to also offer MS scholarships. Moreover, she mentioned the possibility of partnering with the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to secure additional funding and increase scholarship availability.
NU was represented by Dr. Yamauchi Akira, Director of the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) and Asia Collaborative Development Department (ACDD) of Global Multi-Campus Institute. Along with him were Dr. Michibayashi Katsuyoshi, Vice Dean, Graduate School of Environmental Studies; Dr. Mary Jean Bulatao, Director of NUASC-Philippines; and other NU faculty and support staff. The delegation was received by Dr. Sombilla along with Dr. Nur Azura binti Adam, Deputy Director for Programs; Assoc. Prof. Joselito Florendo, Deputy Director for Administration; Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, Senior Program Head of the Education and Collective Learning Department; Ms. Sharon Malaiba, Unit Head for Partnerships; and Partnerships Unit staff.