SEARCA Scholars and Alumni Conference 2026
SUSTAINing Southeast Asia’s Agricultural Futures
As SEARCA marks its 60th anniversary, the Scholars and Alumni Conference honors the enduring contributions of the Center's Graduate Study Program in shaping leaders, researchers, and development practitioners who contribute to the sustainable transformation of agricultural systems in Southeast Asia.
Anchored in SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan, SUSTAIN Southeast Asia brings together scholarship, research, and practice to advance agricultural productivity and income, sustainable and nutrition-sensitive food systems, climate-resilient agricultural landscapes, and inclusive communities across the region.
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) was established in 1966 by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) to strengthen agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia through graduate education, research, and institutional development. Its Graduate Study Program, launched in Academic Year 1968–1969, is the Center's longest-running program and remains central to SEARCA's mandate of building the capacities of future leaders, researchers, educators, and development practitioners in agriculture and related fields.
Since its inception, the Graduate Study Program has supported Southeast Asian nationals in pursuing master's and doctoral degrees, through an expanded network of universities across the region and beyond. Over the years, SEARCA's scholarship program has produced graduates who have assumed leadership and technical roles in government, higher education, research institutions, agricultural enterprises, and development organizations. Their work has contributed to strengthening national and regional capacities in agricultural productivity, rural development, food security, natural resource management, and climate resilience.
The conference will highlight how graduate education, research, and alumni engagement have supported the transformation of agricultural systems in Southeast Asia over the past six decades.
Specifically, the conference aims to:
Present the research, development work, and professional contributions of SEARCA scholars and alumni to sustainable agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia.
Provide a platform for scholars, alumni, researchers, practitioners, and institutional partners to exchange knowledge, experiences, and innovations aligned with SEARCA's SUSTAIN Southeast Asia agenda.
Strengthen the SEARCA scholars and alumni network as a community of practice for regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and development action.
Generate insights and recommendations on how graduate education and alumni engagement can further support sustainable transformation in Southeast Asian agricultural systems.
Conference Subthemes
The conference's subthemes align directly with the 4 SUSTAIN outcomes: Pocket, Plate, Place, and People.
Conference Subtheme:
Sustaining Farmers' Income through Livelihoods, Value Chains, and Agricultural Enterprises
Scope and Illustrative Focus Areas:
Farm productivity, mechanization, rural enterprises, value chains, agribusiness, livelihood resilience, market participation, and income-oriented agricultural systems.
Plate
Conference Subtheme:
Sustaining Food Security and Nutrition through Food Systems, Functional Foods, and Agricultural Innovation
Scope and Illustrative Focus Areas:
Food security, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food processing, functional foods, nutrient-rich crops, safe and sustainable food systems, and food product innovation.
Place
Conference Subtheme:
Sustaining Resilient Agricultural Landscapes, Fisheries, and Production Systems
Scope and Illustrative Focus Areas:
Climate adaptation, biodiversity, watershed and natural resource management, fisheries and coastal systems, crop and livestock resilience, disaster risk reduction, and ecosystem restoration.
People
Conference Subtheme:
Sustaining Empowered Farmers, Institutions, and Innovation Ecosystems
Scope and Illustrative Focus Areas:
Technology adoption, agricultural education and extension, policy and governance, women's empowerment, institutional innovation, science communication, One Health systems, and inclusive innovation ecosystems.
Registration and Abstract Submission
Those who wish to participate are kindly requested to answer this form on or before 3 July 2026.
The conference will bring together varied participants, including:
SEARCA scholars and alumni, in particular DAAD–SEARCA scholars and alumni
Current graduate scholars supported by SEARCA and its partners
University officials, faculty members, and researchers from SEARCA's partner universities
Representatives from government agencies, development organizations, and research institutions
Experts and practitioners working in agriculture, food systems, climate resilience, and rural development
Program
| 9:00 a.m. | SEAMEO Colors | |
| 9:10 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Messages | Dr. Mercedita Sombilla Prof. Dr. Ir. Asdi Agustar |
| 9:25 a.m. | Keynote Message | Dr. Arsenio Balisacan (TBD) DAAD-SEARCA scholarship alumnus and Secretary, Department of Economy, Planning and Development, Philippines |
| 10:00 a.m. | Photo Opportunity with all delegates and SEARCA officials | |
| 10:10 a.m. | Morning Break | |
| 10:25 a.m. | Plenary Speech | H.E. Dr. Asikin Yoeu (TBD) SEARCA scholarship alumna, and Undersecretary of State for International Cooperation Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Cambodia |
| 10:50 a.m. | Parallel Sessions: Subtheme 1 and Subtheme 2 | |
| 12:00 noon | Lunch Break | |
| 2:00 p.m. | Parallel Sessions: Subtheme 1 and Subtheme 2 | |
| 3:30 p.m. | Plenary Speech | Associate Prof. Dr. Prasong Tanpichai (TBD) DAAD-SEARCA scholarship alumnus, and Lecturer, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Thailand |
| 4:00 p.m. | Closing of Day 1 | |
| 6:00 p.m. | SEARCAMustahan | |
| 9:00 a.m. | Opening of Day 2 | |
| 9:05 a.m. | Inspirational Message | DAAD representative (TBC) |
| 9:40 a.m. | Break | |
| 9:50 a.m. | Parallel Sessions: Subtheme 3 and Subtheme 4 | |
| 11:50 a.m. | Synthesis and Closing Messages | Dr. Rico Ancog Dr. Weerapon Thongma |
| 12:00 noon | Lunch Break | |
| 4:00 p.m. | 2026 Outstanding SEARCA Scholarship Alumni (OSSA) Awarding | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Regional SEARCA Scholarship Alumni (RSAA) Dinner and Homecoming | |
Expected Outputs
The conference is expected to produce the following outputs:
1
A conference program featuring plenary sessions and research presentations.
2
A compilation of abstracts or proceedings showcasing scholars and alumni research contributions.
3
Possible contribution to SEARCA's knowledge products from scholars' research papers.
4
Recommendations on strengthening graduate education, scholarship partnerships, and alumni engagement for sustainable agricultural transformation.
Expected Outcomes
Through the proposed conference, SEARCA expects to contribute to the following outcomes:
Increased recognition of graduate scholarship programs as strategic investments in regional development
Strengthened engagement of scholars and alumni in SEARCA's SUSTAIN Southeast Asia agenda
Improved opportunities for collaboration among scholars, alumni, universities, and development partners