Earlier this month, NTU and SEARCA agreed to roll out scholarships for MS and PhD students at NTU's Institute of Biotechnology.
The representatives from Taiwan Council of Agriculture (COA), National Taiwan University (NTU) and Food and Fertiliser Technology Center (FFTC) have held discussions with Philippines-based Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) officials to explore areas of mutual interest in the fields of research, education and institutional development and knowledge management.
The SEARCA visit comes in the wake of Taiwan's newly instituted southbound policy. The policy aims to forge and nurture economic cooperation, talent exchange and resource-sharing among 18 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australasia. The COA and NTU consider SEARCA as a partner and a window to Southeast Asian region. SEARCA is committed to encourage inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development in the ASEAN countries besides Timor-Leste.
COA is the final word on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, animal husbandry and food affairs in Taiwan while NTU is the most prestigious university in the country.
Both NTU and SEARCA plans to offer training courses on sustainable ecological environment, bio-fertilisers, plant factories and biotechnology regulations and policy-making. NTU has also evinced interest in partnering with the SEARCA-initiated Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC). NTU will explore possible areas for research with SEARCA and the UC members in food and nutrition security and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
