SEARCA advances regional agriculture, education partnerships at SEAMEO CDM 2026 in Thailand

CHONBURI, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) presented five working papers and secured new collaboration opportunities during the 2026 SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) held 14–15 July at the Amari Bangsaen Hotel.

The annual meeting brought together leaders and representatives of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) network as it marked 60 years of regional cooperation in education, science and culture. SEARCA was led by Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, with Dr. Rico Ancog, Deputy Director for Administration, and Mr. Arnel Oabina, Financial Analyst.

SEARCA submitted five papers to the SEAMEO Secretariat. Three were presented under the Matters for Information agenda: a program reaffirming the role of universities and colleges in rural development and poverty alleviation; findings from the Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI) onboarding workshop; and an initiative to improve financial and administrative processes through an enterprise resource planning system.

Sombilla presented two more papers under the Matters for Discussion agenda on 15 July. One covered a regional scoping study on micro-credentials in Southeast Asia. The other introduced the Southeast Asian Agricultural Statistics Database (SAASD).

The delegation also explored possible collaborations with the University of Tsukuba, the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), Siklab and Kyungwon University.

SEARCA and the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (RECSAM) also signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), climate change education and environmental stewardship. The agreement was signed by Sombilla and RECSAM Centre Director Dr. Azman bin Jusoh.

The meeting also featured sessions on publication and multimedia strategies, school leadership and engagement with associate member countries and affiliate members.

SEARCA said it remains committed to food security, agricultural innovation and inclusive prosperity across Southeast Asia.