LOS BAÑOS / ILOILO, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) have formalized their partnership through a virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 29 May 2026 via Zoom.
The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in academic, educational, and research initiatives, including joint research projects, scholarships, training, and the exchange of information and scientific materials. It aligns the partnership with SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), reflecting the institutions' shared commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture through innovation and collaboration.
The ceremony brought together key officials from both institutions, including the MOU signatories: SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla and UPV Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano, as well as Dr. Rico Ancog, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration, and Dr. Rodelio Subade, Dean of UPV Graduate School.
Subade recalled that the partnership stemmed from recent academic exchanges and benchmarking discussions. He expressed optimism that the partnership will lead to joint initiatives and knowledge-sharing efforts.
Following the signing, Camposano highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships to address sustainability challenges. He noted that advancing sustainability requires long-term, research-driven efforts and the collective capacity of institutions to generate knowledge and translate it into action.
Sombilla described the partnership as a reaffirmation of a four-decade relationship between SEARCA and UPV. She highlighted the complementary strengths of the institutions: SEARCA's regional mandate in agriculture and UPV's leadership in fisheries, marine science, and coastal management. She cited their joint work under the ASEAN Partnership for Sustainable Aquaculture (AquASEAN), a regional initiative led by the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD).
Sombilla further underscored the importance of linking science, policy, and practice in delivering evidence-based solutions that benefit communities across Southeast Asia, especially amid climate change, declining fish stocks, and environmental degradation.
In closing, Ancog stressed that the MOU marks the beginning of a deeper, more dynamic collaboration. He expressed confidence that the partnership will create opportunities for students, researchers, and practitioners, while strengthening regional cooperation and delivering tangible on-the-ground impact.
The SEARCA-UPV partnership is poised to advance interdisciplinary solutions at the intersection of agriculture and fisheries, contributing to sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and inclusive development in the region.