SEARCA in the News

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is now accepting applications for its highly sought-after full Master's and PhD scholarships for the Academic Year 2026-2027. The scholarship program is open to nationals of the member countries of SEARCA's mother organization, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. This initiative supports aspiring leaders and professionals pursuing advanced studies in agriculture and other related fields. This scholarship is designed to cultivate the next generation of experts… Read more

Jakarta, Indonesia: As Asia's agri-food systems undergo rapid transformation, researchers and experts from countries across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries are meeting this week in Jakarta to discuss shared challenges and new opportunities for sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. The two-day Policy Roundtable and Inception Workshop, taking place on 4–5 August in the city, is jointly organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)… Read more

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM – Jaymark Warren Dia, unit head for Management Information Systems at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), has been honored with the prestigious Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Service Award 2024–2025. The award ceremony, held on July 1, 2025, during the 53rd SEAMEO Council Conference at the Empire Hotel, recognized Dia for his outstanding service, innovation, and unwavering commitment to SEARCA over the past two decades. Jaymark "Jay" Dia, a University of the Philippines Los Baños graduate in computer science with a graduate degree in business management, has been… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) announced the recipients of its Regional Professorial Chair Grants for Academic Year 2025–2026. Five distinguished academicians, recognized for their exceptional contributions to agricultural and rural development, will each receive a grant of USD 5,000. The SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair Grant underscores the Center's commitment to fostering groundbreaking research and academic excellence across Southeast Asia, addressing critical challenges and advancing sustainable practices in the region's agricultural sector. The 2025–2026 SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair awardees are: Professor Yeng Ming Lam, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) concluded a comprehensive Training on Writing for Science and Policy, held on July 21–25, 2025. As a key component of SEARCA's Graduate on Time (GOT) Program, the training empowered eighteen scholars from various SEARCA scholarship study posts across Asia, including Kasetsart University (Thailand), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), IPB University (Indonesia), Tokyo University of Agriculture (Japan), and National Taiwan University. Organized by SEARCA's Education and Collective Learning Department and facilitated by faculty members from the UPLB College… Read more

Request for Proposals: Travel Grants Program Deadline: 31 August 2025 The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture provides travel grants to each qualified agriculture and agriculture-related professional, social scientist, or graduate student in Southeast Asia. Objectives Enable qualified Southeast Asian nationals to participate and present papers in scientific conferences and fora, locally or internationally Promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge vital to sustainable transformation of Southeast Asian agricultural systems through innovation. Provide a venue for dialogue between the grantees and other scientists, researchers, university faculty, and scholars about recent developments in their respective disciplines. Facilitate… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) honored its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 graduating scholars in a testimonial ceremony. Held at the SEARCA Umali Auditorium and livestreamed via Zoom, the event celebrated the academic achievements of 39 full-degree scholars and 13 PhD research scholars hailing from various study posts across Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, France, and the Netherlands. The ceremony highlighted the scholars' remarkable dedication, resilience, and excellence in their respective fields, all of which are aimed at advancing agricultural and rural development. Dr. Nur Azura binti Adam, SEARCA… Read more

BANGKOK, Thailand – Twenty-four professionals from eight ASEAN Member States have successfully completed the third ASEAN Climate Leadership Programme (ACLP), concluding a six-month journey focused on climate-resilient agriculture and leadership. The program culminated on June 15, 2025, with a final session and graduation ceremony held in Bangkok. The final module brought together participants from government institutions, research organizations, civil society, and the public sector to present their Personal Change Projects (PCPs). These projects showcased innovative, on-the-ground solutions to local climate challenges, demonstrating the participants' commitment to driving sustainable change in the region. Participants synthesized core frameworks from the program, including… Read more

LAGUNA, Philippines – Over 40 rice farmers, representatives from irrigators' associations, and local government officials from Santa Maria, Laguna, gathered on June 18, 2025, for a workshop focused on advancing climate-resilient and sustainable practices in rice production. The event marked the third cycle of SEARCA's "Transforming Rice Farming through Low Carbon Solutions" initiative. The initiative is in partnership with Leads Agricultural Products Corporation (LEADS Agri) and Innovate UK, as part of the Rice Straw Biogas Hub (RSBH) project. It seeks to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders across the rice value chain to promote sustainable, climate-friendly farming. During the workshop, participants learned… Read more

SERDANG, Malaysia — A groundbreaking research project in Malaysia has successfully used brain-wave technology to ensure that halal meat production is both humane and high-quality. The initiative, led by Professor Dr. Awis Qurni Sazili of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), utilized electroencephalography (EEG) to objectively measure animal stress and pain during slaughter, aligning Islamic principles with modern animal welfare standards. Funded by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the project demonstrated that proper animal handling significantly reduces stress, which not only meets ethical concerns but also prevents the degradation of meat quality. "Consumers are… Read more