Thai Governing Board Member visits SEARCA, explores areas for collaboration

  • 13 July 2017

Thai Governing Board Member visits SEARCA, explores areas for collaboration

Dr. Sathit Puttachaiyong (fifth from right), President of Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUT) Krungthep and concurrent Country Representative of Thailand to the SEARCA Governing Board (GB), visited SEARCA on 10 July 2017 to be briefed on the Center and discuss possible areas for collaboration between SEARCA and RMUT. 

With Dr. Sathit were four other officials of RMUT, including Dr. Viroj Limkaisang (fifth from left), President of RMUT Isan; Ms. Khanitta Duangpattra (fourth from right), Vice-President, RMUT Krungthep; Asst. Prof. Dr. Chalermpon Yuangklang (rightmost), Vice President for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance, RMUT Isan; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ada Raimaturapong (third from right), Vice President for University Council, RMUT Isan.

Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. (sixth from left), SEARCA Director, briefed the delegation about the Center and its programs and activities.

In particular, Dr. Sathit expressed interest in SEARCA's capacity building activities, including its graduate scholarship program and short-term leadership courses which their faculty, researchers, and students may avail of.

In addition, Dr. Saguiguit said SEARCA may jointly develop with RMUT a proposal for a collaborative research project that will harness and share with other Southeast Asian countries Thailand's best practices in agricultural product innovation and development.

RMUT is a system of nine universities with at least 40 campuses spread across Thailand.

Joining Dr. Saguiguit in the briefing were Dr. Maria Celeste H. Cadiz, Program Head, Knowledge Management Department (KMD); Dr. Bessie M. Burgos, Program Head, Research and Development Department (RDD); Ms. Adoracion T. Robles, Unit Head, Management Services, and Executive Coordinator, Office of the Director; Dr. Lope B. Santos III, Program Specialist and Officer-in-Charge, Project Development and Technical Services (PDTS); and Ms. Zacyl R. Jalotjot, Program Specialist, Graduate Education and Institutional Development Department (GEIDD). Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and concurrent Chair and Country Representative of the Philippines to the SEARCA GB, also joined the meeting and discussed with the Thai delegation opportunities for collaboration with UPLB and RMUT.

Dr. Saguiguit explains to Dr. Sathit SEARCA's organizational structure, including the important role of the Governing Board in the Center's operations.