SEARCA in the News

CHON BURI, Thailand — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will lead the design and pilot of a regional micro credential curriculum on regenerative and resilient agriculture, in partnership with the SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC) and the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (RIHED). The 12 month initiative is funded by the SEAMEO Inter Centre Collaboration (ICC) Grant. The project, “Developing and Pilot Testing a Micro Credential Curriculum on Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture for Southeast Asia,” responds to the region’s growing demand for structured, competency based training in regenerative… Read more

Concluding his diplomatic tenure in Vietnam, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam Choi Young Sam expressed confidence in the continued deepening and sustainable development of Vietnam-RoK relations, underpinned by growing mutual trust, close cooperation, and increasingly strong bonds between the peoples of the two countries. In an interview with Vietnam Times Magazine, Ambassador Choi Young Sam expressed the hope that the two countries would continue to further strengthen their bilateral partnership across a wide range of fields, including the economy, technology, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges… Read more

The early 1990s were good times for the local coconut industry, particularly for those producing nata de coco—a jelly made from coconut water that is used for making popular Filipino desserts like halo-halo. From the 200 metric tons of nata de coco exported in 1990, shipments surged in subsequent years due to the spike in demand. Citing data from the Philippine Coconut Authority, a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) discussion paper indicated that exports jumped to 14,303 MT in 1993 and 15,832 MT in 1994. A study conducted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research… Read more

In an interview with Vietnam Times Magazine, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh said that people-to-people diplomacy should be further promoted in a practical, multi-layered, and multi-stakeholder manner, with a strong focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people. This, he noted, will continue to strengthen the social foundation of bilateral relations as the two countries enter a new stage of development. - Ambassador, in your view, what have been the most significant milestones in the development of Vietnam-Philippines relations over the past 50 years? - July 12, 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — A Filipino veterinarian is among five distinguished academics from Southeast Asia named recipients of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Regional Professorial Chair for Academic Year 2026–2027. Professor Adrian Ybañez of Cebu Technological University (CTU) was selected for his work in veterinary science, public health, and research development. He will deliver a public lecture under SEARCA's SUSTAIN initiative — Sustaining Transformation through Agricultural Innovation in Southeast Asia — alongside awardees from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Since 2012–2013, SEARCA has conferred the award on 72 academics in recognition of… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is rolling out a new online English-support program for its incoming scholars for Academic Year 2026-2027, aiming to better equip them for the rigors of graduate study at English-medium universities. Through its Education and Collective Learning Department – Graduate Scholarship and Institutional Development Unit (ECLD-GSIDU), SEARCA will offer the YES! (Your English Sidekick) Micro-credential to all incoming SEARCA scholars as part of the Center’s enhanced Graduate-on-Time Program. Developed by the College of Development Communication (CDC) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, the… Read more

ECO Heutagogy, the self-directed, self-determined approach to learning applied in environmental contexts, can help communities contribute to the long-term health of watersheds that they rely on. It can also help increase watersheds’ resilience and adaptability to changes, while improving their functions such as water supply, flood regulation, soil stabilization, and support for biodiversity and livelihoods. The framework linking community-led learning with watershed protection was presented at the 16th Asian Conference on the Social Sciences (ACSS) 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, on May 9–13. The research paper was written by Cyril John Nagal, a scholar at the DAAD-Southeast Asian Regional Center for… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has officially reinstated its Professorial Chair Program for the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). This initiative marks a renewed commitment to recognizing academic excellence and reinforces the long-standing institutional partnership between the two organizations. As SEARCA’s host institution, UPLB serves as a vital partner in implementing regional programs, providing graduate scholarship study posts, and contributing expertise to research initiatives. With UPLB’s Chancellor serving on the SEARCA Governing Board, the revival of this program is a timely recognition of their enduring collaboration… Read more

Limang kilalang akademiko mula sa Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Pilipinas, at Thailand ang ginawaran ng SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair para sa Academic Year 2026–2027, bilang pagkilala sa kanilang mahahalagang ambag sa pananaliksik, pagtuturo, at inobasyon na naglalayong palakasin ang agrikultura at kaunlaran sa kanayunan sa Timog-Silangang Asya. Ayon sa Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), ang taunang pagkilala ay ipinagkakaloob sa mga natatanging akademiko na may malaking ambag sa pagsusulong ng Sustaining Transformation through Agricultural Innovation (SUSTAIN) sa rehiyon. Mula nang ilunsad ang programa noong Academic Year 2012–2013, umabot na sa 72 eksperto ang kinilalang… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Five distinguished experts from universities across Southeast Asia have been awarded the SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair for Academic Year 2026–2027, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to research, instruction, and innovation in support of agricultural and rural development in the region. The SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair Award is an annual recognition given to outstanding academics who have made significant contributions to Sustaining Transformation through Agricultural Innovation (SUSTAIN) in Southeast Asia. Since the academic year 2012–2013, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has conferred the award on 72 highly accomplished… Read more