OFFICIALS and faculty of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to explore partnerships, particularly in areas of faculty development, grants and trainings.
The delegates headed by USM President Dr. Francisco Gil Garcia had an exploratory meeting with officials of SEARCA headed by its director, Dr. Glenn Gregprio.
Together with Garcia were Prof. Marcos Monderin, the Dean of the College of Arts; Engr. Sheila Bautista, professor of mathematics; and Dr. Ronielyn Pinsoy, chancellor, from the USM-Kidapawan Campus.
With the main campus in Kabacan, Cotabato in Mindanao, USM's mandate according to Garcia is to "help accelerate socio-economic development, promote harmony among diverse communities and improve quality of life through instruction, research, extension and resource generation."
Gregorio said the meeting centered on how SEARCA can help USM in providing opportunities for its faculty members.
He said Garcia also expressed his keen interest in applying USM to be a member of the SEARCA-established Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources or the University Consortium (UC).
Launched in 1989, UC is a commitment made among leading Southeast Asian higher education institutions to share academic expertise and resources.
Gregorio said UC was initiated by SEARCA in 1989 as a viable approach to pursuing agricultural human resource development in Southeast Asia by linking top agricultural universities in the region to facilitate the free exchange of information, facilities and expertise.
Now, UC is an effective network linking strong universities in Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, Canada and Germany, he added.
It was on March 28, 2023 when the USM contingent was received by Dr. Gregorio together with Dr. Nur Azura Adam, SEARCA deputy director for programs; Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, senior program head of Education and Collective Learning Department; Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, program head of Research and Thought Leadership Department; Sharon Malaiba, head of the Partnerships Unit; and Beatrisa Martinez, executive coordinator, Office of the Director.
