SEARCA News

Ms. Beatriz Jimeno-Ortas, education advisor of the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and officials of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) led by director Dr. Glenn Gregorio met to broach areas of possible collaboration on 2 March 2023. The meeting explored SEARCA's programs on the internationalization of education in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, as the Center is mandated to produce and equip agricultural professionals in the region. Ms. Jimeno-Ortas also explored a possible partnership between SEARCA and the Green European University (UNIgreen), an Alliance of eight European higher education institutions that… Read more

Dr. Jesus "Gary" Domingo, undersecretary for civilian and consular affairs of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 18 March 2023. The meeting explored potential collaborations between SEARCA and the Diplomatic League, the global youth, volunteer, and young professional engagement platform of DFA. Usec. Domingo emphasized the youth's important role in innovating and securing the future of agriculture through building a transformative mindset. "The key to advancing this particular change in the youth is through their stomach. We are in the pipeline of developing projects… Read more

The Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD) of SEARCA will conduct the 5th GSID Conversations on 28 April 2023 (Friday), 10:30 a.m. (GMT +8:00) for its scholars. The annual activity launched on 16 April 2021 creates a dialogue with industry professionals to support the scholars' personal and professional development. The upcoming GSID Conversations "From Campus to Career: The Journey of a SEARCA scholar" was organized as the Center recognizes the importance of guiding its scholars in navigating their years as graduate students and preparing them for life after their studies. Dr. Divo Dharma Silalahi, Senior Researcher - Data Intelligence and… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna. The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to broach areas of collaboration in faculty development, grants, and trainings. The exploratory meeting with the officials and faculty members of USM headed by university president Dr. Francisco Gil Garcia was held on 28 March 2023. With him during the visit were Prof. Marcos Monderin, dean of the College of Arts; Engr. Sheila Bautista, professor of mathematics and Dr. Ronielyn Pinsoy, chancellor, both from the USM-Kidapawan Campus. Located in Mindanao, USM's mandate is to "help accelerate socio-economic… Read more

Dr. Marco Wopereis, director general of the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 22 March 2023 to explore possible areas of collaboration. In a courtesy call with SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio and other officials, Dr. Wopereis presented the current priorities of the WorldVeg. He emphasized the significance of increasing the consumption of healthy or "protective foods" to the overall welfare of human health. "We have been at our work for a couple of decades. We want to help farmers grow more vegetables and grow them safely… Read more

Recognizing the need to empower schoolgirls and farming families through quality education, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is set to conduct a one-day learning activity for the Balete Family Farm School (BFFS), Inc. on 31 March 2023. BFFS is the only all-female farm school in Asia. The school is engaged in various livelihood projects to help finance its scholarship program for poor but deserving young girls to get a high school education with an orientation on agricultural entrepreneurship. In celebration of the International Women’s Month, SEARCA and BFFS will provide an avenue… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) joins ecotourism champions and practitioners in co-hosting the International Ecotourism Travel Mart (IETM) from 29 March to 2 April 2023 in Silang, Cavite, Philippines. IETM is an annual event designed to bring delegates and exhibitors together to showcase products and services with a strong ecotourism component, green technology, and sustainable green practices. Being the first green travel mart and selling fair in the world, this event is presented by the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN), a regional initiative of the Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) based in Costa Rica… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna. The national innovation agency of the United Kingdom (Innovate UK), along with 10 other companies, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) broached areas for collaboration on agricultural innovation and renewable energy. The exploration for areas of partnerships was done when representatives from Innovate UK, along with 10 companies from the UK, visited on 17 March 2023 and exchanged their respective thrusts and activities. Dr. Nur Azura Adam, SEARCA deputy director for programs, presented the National Agriculture and Fishery Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP) 2021–30, a directional strategy of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA). SEARCA was… Read more

LAGUNA, Philippines.  Recognizing the need for a sustainable program to foster strong partnership among various stakeholders and develop policies that will sustain school and community gardens’ initiatives (also known as School-Plus-Home Garden Program (S+HGP), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will organize a weeklong study visit and benchmarking activity for the key stakeholders of Busuanga Island, Palawan from 27 to 31 March 2023. The study visit and benchmarking activity aims to provide technical assistance to key partners from the Department of Education - Division of Palawan (DepEd Palawan), and LGUs from Busuanga and… Read more

Diversifying learners' skillsets increasingly becomes the status quo as we maneuver in a fast-paced environment. With that, the need to provide motivation, mentorship, and guidance were tackled by Dr. Glenn Gregorio, director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), at the Fireside Chat with Alumni titled "Transcending to greater heights toward scientific progress in a VUCA society" on 20 March 2023 held via Zoom. In her opening message, Dr. Vachel Gay Paller, director, University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB), emphasized that IBS has engaged alumni as part of its… Read more