SEARCA in the News

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—Itinampok ang mga oportunidad para mapalawak ang kalakalan sa agrikultura, mapalakas ang bilateral trade, at mapalalim ang akademikong ugnayan ng Ukraine at Pilipinas sa ikalimang sesyon ng Meet the Diplomat Series ng Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) noong Hulyo 29, 2026. Panauhing pandangal si Her Excellency Yuliia Fediv, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ng Ukraine sa Pilipinas, na naglahad ng kalagayan, kultura at mga oportunidad sa ekonomiya ng Ukraine sa ilalim ng temang “Between the Skies and Planes.” Ayon kay Fediv, nananatiling “breadbasket of Europe” ang Ukraine sa kabila ng mga pagkagambala… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Social enterprises are emerging as business models that can help make Southeast Asia’s agrifood systems more resilient while expanding opportunities for farmers and buyers. This is what an entrepreneurship expert said during a regional webinar hosted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). Jeffrey Cheah, Senior Lecturer and Online MBA Program Manager at the Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia, said during the 56th SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar on July 22, 2026 that these enterprises address gaps in the market by linking producers to… Read more

Two College of Agriculture faculty members brought research from Bukidnon to an international academic forum, presenting studies on climate-resilient farming and sustainable crop production to researchers and academic leaders from across Asia. Dr. Josephine L. Arbes and Dr. Iris Rosales Pescadero represented Central Mindanao University (CMU) at the 8th University Consortium (UC) Faculty Forum in Thailand, an achievement highlighted by University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe during his weekly University Update at the Flag Raising Ceremony on August 10. Dr. Eballe said their participation reflects CMU’s continuing commitment to “internationalization, faculty development, academic collaboration, and the advancement of sustainable and… Read more

Social enterprises can help build resilient and inclusive agrifood systems by addressing market gaps while generating social and economic impact, a social entrepreneurship expert said during the 56th Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar held on 22 July 2026. Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Senior Lecturer and Online MBA Program Manager at the Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia, told more than 200 participants on Zoom and Facebook Live that social enterprise models can help smallholder farmers cope with climate risks, fragmented value chains, limited market access, and… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) convened the fifth installment of its Meet the Diplomat Series on July 29, highlighting opportunities to expand agricultural trade, improve market access in Southeast Asia and strengthen economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Philippines. The session featured Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Yuliia Fediv, and was the latest in the series following diplomatic discussions with representatives from Thailand, Spain, Vietnam and the European Union. Focus on trade and market access In her presentation, Fediv outlined Ukraine’s position as one of the world’s major agricultural producers, often referred… Read more

CHONBURI, Thailand — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) presented five working papers and secured new collaboration opportunities during the 2026 SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) held 14–15 July at the Amari Bangsaen Hotel. The annual meeting brought together leaders and representatives of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) network as it marked 60 years of regional cooperation in education, science and culture. SEARCA was led by Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, with Dr. Rico Ancog, Deputy Director for Administration, and Mr. Arnel Oabina, Financial Analyst. SEARCA submitted five papers to… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) welcomed 62 participants, including lecturers and the organizing team, from seven countries to the International Ecology School (IES) 2026 held 15–21 July 2026 in Laguna, Philippines. The participants included 23 graduate and undergraduate students. With the theme “Resilient Ecologies, Shared Futures: Innovation for Climate and Biodiversity,” the week-long program brought together participants from Mongolia, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Through lectures, research presentations, and field-based training, they deepened their understanding of climate resilience, biodiversity conservation… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Nineteen development communication (DevCom) student interns from Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU), Mindanao State University (MSU), and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 15 July 2026 to learn how communication supports agricultural innovation, knowledge management, and sustainable rural development. Organized in coordination with the UPLB College of Development Communication (CDC), the visit introduced the interns to SEARCA’s regional work at the intersection of communication, agricultural technology, and sustainable rural development. Ms. Paula Muyco, Program Specialist at the Education and… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) held the fifth session of its Meet the Diplomat Series on 29 July 2026, featuring Her Excellency Yuliia Fediv, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of the Philippines. The session highlighted opportunities to expand agricultural markets, strengthen bilateral trade, and deepen academic collaboration between Ukraine and the Philippines. In her presentation, titled “Between the Skies and Planes,” Fediv outlined Ukraine’s national profile and cultural heritage, and described the country’s continued role as the breadbasket of Europe despite supply chain disruptions… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will lead the development of a regional micro-credential curriculum on regenerative and resilient agriculture in collaboration with two other centers under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). The 12-month project, funded through the Seameo Inter-Centre Collaboration (ICC) Grant, will design and pilot test a competency-based curriculum for agricultural educators, technical-vocational trainers, extension workers, and early-career practitioners across the region. SEARCA is partnering with the SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC) and the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (RIHED)… Read more