Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture 4.03

SEARCA or the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture is one of the oldest among 21 regional centers of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). Founded on 27 November 1966, SEARCA is mandated to strengthen institutional capacities in agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia. For its Tenth Five-Year Plan (FY2014/2015 - FY2018/2019), SEARCA works to strengthen institutional capacities toward inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development (ISARD) in Southeast Asia through graduate education and institutional development, research and development, and knowledge management. These programs are anchored on SEARCA's strategic thrusts that promote social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and cross-cutting concerns that impact Southeast Asia.SEARCA serves the 11 SEAMEO member countries, namely: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. The Center is hosted by the Government of the Philippines on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, Philippines.Historical MilestonesIn July 2014, SEARCA began implementing its Tenth FYP, which focuses on the overarching theme of Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development . The Center is currently headed by Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., SEARCA Director, having been appointed to an unprecedented third three-year term.Core ProgramsFor more than 50 years, SEARCA continues to carry out its mandate to strengthen capacities of institutions working toward agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia through its core programs on graduate education and institutional development, research and development, and knowledge management.