The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) formalized their partnership through a virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 29 May 2026 via Zoom.
The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in academic, educational, and research initiatives, including joint research projects, scholarships, training, and the exchange of information and scientific materials. It explicitly aligns the partnership with SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan, focused on Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), reflecting their shared commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture through innovation and collaboration.
Top, from left: Dr. Clement Camposano, UPV Chancellor, and Dr. Rodelio Subade, UPV Graduate School Dean; Bottom, from left: Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, and Dr. Rico Ancog, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration.
The ceremony brought together key officials from both institutions, including the MOU signatories: SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla and UPV Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano, together with Dr. Rico Ancog, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration, and Dr. Rodelio Subade, Dean of UPV Graduate School.
In his welcome remarks, Subade recalled that the partnership stemmed from recent academic exchanges and benchmarking discussions, underscoring the potential for mutual learning and sustained cooperation. He expressed optimism that the partnership will lead to joint initiatives and knowledge-sharing efforts.
Following the signing, Camposano highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships to address sustainability challenges. He noted that advancing sustainability requires long-term, research-driven efforts and the collective capacity of institutions to generate knowledge and translate it into action. He further emphasized the collaboration’s relevance to UPV’s strategic direction, particularly in fisheries and the blue economy.
In her message of support, Sombilla described the new partnership as a reaffirmation of a four-decade relationship between SEARCA and UPV. She highlighted the complementary strengths of the institutions—SEARCA’s regional mandate in agriculture and UPV’s leadership in fisheries, marine science, and coastal management—as strong foundations for interdisciplinary collaboration.
She further emphasized the importance of linking science, policy, and practice to deliver evidence-based solutions that benefit communities across Southeast Asia, especially amid pressing challenges such as climate change, declining fish stocks, and environmental degradation.
Sombilla also cited SEARCA and UPV’s active collaboration under the ASEAN Partnership for Sustainable Aquaculture (AquASEAN), a regional initiative led by the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD). SEARCA and UPV are working together to strengthen cooperation in aquaculture and fisheries while supporting graduate training and research exchange. The new MOU is expected to expand opportunities in regional cooperation, research, scholarships, and innovation initiatives that translate science into practical solutions for farmers, fishers, and communities in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.
In closing, Ancog emphasized that the MOU marks the beginning of a deeper, more dynamic collaboration. He expressed confidence that the partnership will create opportunities for students, researchers, and practitioners, while strengthening regional cooperation and delivering tangible impact on the ground.
The SEARCA-UPV partnership is poised to advance interdisciplinary solutions at the intersection of agriculture and fisheries, contributing to sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and inclusive development in the region.