NAY PYI TAW and YANGON, Myanmar—The Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD) of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) conducted a mission to Myanmar to reinforce partnerships and advance the Center's capacity-building initiatives for the country's agricultural and academic sectors.
From left: Ms. Blessie Saez and, Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma of SEARCA; H.E. Tin Htut, Deputy Minister, MOALI; and Dr. Amy Soe, Deputy Director General, Department of Planning, MOALI and SEARCA Graduate Scholarship Alumna
From left: Ms. Blessie Saez and Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma of SEARCA, and H.E. Tin Htut, Deputy Minister, MOALI
While in Nay Pyi Taw, Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, Senior Program Head of ECLD, and Ms. Blessie Saez, Senior Program Associate of ECLD, paid courtesy visits separately to H.E. Dr. Tin Htut, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) of Myanmar, and Dr. Ye Tint Tun, Director General of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), MOALI and Myanmar's representative to the SEARCA Governing Board. Discussions with MOALI focused on SEARCA's ongoing capacity-building programs and potential areas of collaboration to further support Myanmar nationals in agricultural education and research.
Dr. Theingi Myint (left), Rector, Yezin Agricultural University presents a token to Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma of SEARCA
From left: Dr. Hnin Yu Lwin, Director, Department of International Relations, YAU; Dr. Saw Hto Lwe Htoo, YAU Pro Rector (Academic) and SEARCA Scholarship Alumnus; Dr. Theingi Myint, YAU Rector; Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma of SEARCA, Dr. Tin Aye Aye Naing, YAU Pro Rector (Admin); Ms. Blessie Saez of SEARCA; and Dr. Myint Thu Zar, Professor, Department of Plant Breeding, Physiology and Ecology, YAU and SEARCA Scholarship Alumna
SEARCA also visited Yezin Agricultural University (YAU) and met with its Rector, Dr. Theingi Myint, and other YAU officials. They discussed how SEARCA can further assist the university as a beneficiary of its Institutional Development Assistance (IDA) program.
As of September 2025, SEARCA has awarded 118 graduate scholarships to Myanmar nationals, 106 of whom have completed their studies. MOALI and YAU expressed gratitude for these capacity building efforts for Myanmar and related how SEARCA alumni now hold prominent positions in government and academe, including the recent appointments of Dr. Amy Soe as Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning, MOALI, and of Dr. Saw Hto Lwe Htoo as new Pro Rector of YAU.
Dr. Ye Tint Tun (left), Director General of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), MOALI and Myanmar’s representative to the SEARCA Governing Board and Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma of SEARCA
Dr. Cuaresma (leftmost) with Dr. Win Oo, Director of the Land Use Division of DOA, MOALI, on her left during the interview of a candidate for the SEARCA Scholarship
Cuaresma and Saez also met with several SEARCA alumni over dinner to reconnect, share updates, and explore possible avenues for future collaboration.
Dr. Cuaresma and Ms. Saez with SEARCA Scholarship Alumni from Myanmar
Dr. Win Oo, Director of the Land Use Division of DOA, MOALI, joined the SEARCA team in the interview and screening of 11 qualified applicants for the SEARCA Graduate Scholarship Program.
In Yangon, the SEARCA representatives met with officials from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Myanmar, led by Mr. Angelito A. Nayan, Chargé d'Affaires, to explore potential joint initiatives between SEARCA and the Embassy. The meeting underscored shared commitments to fostering agricultural development and improving the livelihoods of the Myanmar people through education, innovation, and regional cooperation.
From left: Mr. Angelito Nayan, Chargé d’Affaires and Ms. Abegail Varron, Cultural and Information Officer, Assistant, and Attache, both from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Myanmar; and Ms. Blessie Saez and Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma of SEARCA