CHON BURI, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM) have formalized a three-year partnership to strengthen collaboration in education, research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building across Southeast Asia.
SEARCA and RECSAM sign their MOU for institutional cooperation during the SEAMEO CDM in Chon Buri, Thailand.
Seated, from left: Dr. Azman bin Jusoh, RECSAM Centre Director; Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director
Standing, from left: Ms. Lai Cheng Wong, RECSAM Senior Manager, Communication and Publication; Ms. Rashihah Othman, RECSAM Deputy Director for Administration; Ms. Pintip Iamnirath, SEAMEO Secretariat (SEAMES) Deputy Director (Administration & Communication); Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, SEAMES Director; Dr. Rico Ancog, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration; Mr. John Arnold Siena, SEAMES Deputy Director (Programme and Development); Mr. Baharulnizam Baharum, RECSAM Senior Business Manager
To strengthen collaboration within the SEAMEO network, SEARCA and RECSAM signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 15 July 2026 at the SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) held in Chon Buri, Thailand. The MOU was signed by Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, and Dr. Azman bin Jusoh, RECSAM Centre Director. It brings together SEARCA's agricultural expertise with RECSAM's strength in science and mathematics education to develop joint research initiatives and capacity-building activities that support educators and learners across the region.
Even before SEARCA and RECSAM formalized the partnership through the MOU, their collaboration was already taking shape through SEARCA's participation in the Penang Green School Training of Trainers (ToT) Program 2026, a joint initiative of the Penang Green Council (PGC) and RECSAM held on 13-16 July 2026 in Penang, Malaysia.
Ms. Vallez presents SEARCA's S+HGP at the Penang Green School ToT Program 2026 in Penang, Malaysia.
Representing SEARCA were Ms. Anna Gale Vallez, Program Specialist, and Mr. Kim Louisse Patagnan, Program Associate, both of the Center's Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD). The program brought together 81 educators from Penang, who learned about SEARCA's School-plus-Home Gardens Project (S+HGP). Vallez shared practical approaches, sustainable frameworks, and lessons learned from implementing the project. Her presentation demonstrated how schools can promote food literacy, environmental awareness, and hands-on learning experiences among students and their families.
This year's ToT Program featured sessions on curriculum integration for green initiatives, the impacts of climate change, resource and water efficiency, and eco-school entrepreneurship. SEARCA's participation underscored the complementary strengths of the newly formalized partnership and showcased the potential for deeper collaboration in advancing sustainable education in Southeast Asia. The timing of the MOU and the training also reflects both institutions' commitment to turning strategic partnerships into concrete regional initiatives.
Through the MOU, SEARCA and RECSAM aim to expand opportunities for joint research, capacity building, and professional development. They also seek to promote innovative interdisciplinary approaches that connect agriculture, science, and sustainability education to help build a more resilient and environmentally conscious Southeast Asia.