BOGOR, Indonesia—The Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) expanded its international network and advanced academic cooperation during its 39th Executive Board Meeting held on 5–7 October 2026 at IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia. With the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) serving as its Secretariat, the consortium reviewed its collaborative programs and focused on strengthening partnerships in graduate education, research, and academic mobility.
The three-day meeting brought together university leaders and representatives from IPB University, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Universitas Brawijaya in Indonesia; Universiti Putra Malaysia in Malaysia; Kasetsart University and Maejo University in Thailand; and Central Luzon State University, Central Mindanao University, Visayas State University, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños in the Philippines. Participants also include representatives of UC associate members Tokyo University of Agriculture and National Taiwan University; affiliate member Mariano Marcos State University; and SEARCA.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Alim Setiawan Slamet, Rector of IPB University, and Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director. Dr. Iskandar Z. Siregar, IPB University Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Cooperation, and Alumni, also served as co-chair on the second and third days.
In his welcome remarks, the IPB Rector highlighted opportunities for interdisciplinary research and nature-based solutions to address food insecurity, climate change, and environmental degradation. He emphasized combining member universities' expertise to develop solutions for Southeast Asia and the global community.
Sombilla underscored the UC's role in sharing institutional expertise and creating learning opportunities that respond to the needs of agriculture and rural communities. She encouraged members to build on their existing partnerships and pursue practical arrangements that would expand access to academic mobility and collaborative graduate education.
A major outcome of the meeting was the Board's approval of two new UC affiliate members: the University of Reading from the United Kingdom and Hasanuddin University in Indonesia. Their admission broadens the consortium's international network and opens new opportunities for academic exchange and joint research.
Member institutions shared updates on their participation in UC programs and partnerships, highlighting the 8th UC Faculty Forum hosted by Maejo University in Thailand and the 11th UC Graduate Forum hosted by Universiti Putra Malaysia. IPB University also reported on the recently concluded 10th UC Summer School hosted by IPB University.
Discussions on collaborative graduate education focused on strengthening dual, double, and joint degree programs among UC members. Universities shared their experiences in implementing these arrangements and identified institutional priorities and curriculum compatibility as important considerations for further cooperation. The Board encouraged members to expand opportunities for student exchanges, joint supervision, and collaborative research through existing and new partnerships.
The Board also reviewed progress under the Master of Science in Food Security and Climate Change (MS FSCC) project. Universiti Putra Malaysia reported that it had begun offering the MS FSCC as the Master in Food Security, while Kasetsart University shared its continuing work to finalize the MS FSCC program under its Faculty of Agriculture.
Members also assess progress under the Erasmus+ Postgraduate Micro-Credentials for Food Security and Climate Change (PMC FSCC) project. The project's five online modules cover food security and nutrition resilience, carbon neutrality, risk assessment, spatial analytics, and environmental leadership and communication. Developed jointly by partner institutions, the modules offer flexible learning opportunities for graduate students and professionals. Discussions explored ways for member universities to continue offering the modules and extend their benefits to more learners.
The Board also confirmed the hosts of the UC's major activities in 2027: Visayas State University for the Summer School, Mariano Marcos State University for the Graduate Forum, IPB University for the Faculty Forum, and Maejo University for the 40th Executive Board Meeting.
In closing, Sombilla encouraged members to turn the meeting's agreements into tangible opportunities for students and faculty alongside collaborative initiatives that benefit the communities they serve. SEARCA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing graduate education and regional academic cooperation through the consortium.
