THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture is working on a tie-up with the Department of Science and Technology to come up with scholarships or grants on climate change.
“To address Climate Change, we intend the scholarships to develop capacities and expertise of Filipinos,” Searca director Gil Saguiguit Jr. said.
Saguiguit said he has been discussing with Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña last Wednesday during the opening of the annual Los Baños National Science and Technology Week celebration dubbed “SyenSya” the possibilities to collaborate particularly on the said scholarships.
Saguiguit said in the past, the Center has had sporadic collaborations with DoST including its forerunner National Science and Development Board which funded a nationwide program called the Social Laboratory.
A strategy for rural and agricultural development, the Social Laboratory is carried out in partnership with higher education institutions to uplift the socioeconomic conditions of rural farming communities.
Saguiguit said that in view of the changing landscape of agriculture and Searca’s focus on promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development [ISARD], “it is imperative that we look to S&T to produce more from less.”
“It is toward this end that we are exploring possibilities to collaborate with DoST on agricultural research and development and capacity building initiatives, including said scholarships for advanced studies on climate change,” Saguiguit said.
Saguiguit Jr. is among the recipients of the 2017 Service Award, having meritoriously served the Center for four decades.
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Service Award bestows the accolade on outstanding staff of the SEAMEO regional centers, network and secretariat who exemplify excellence and commitment for the success of their respective organizations.
The award was presented at the 49th SEAMEO Council Conference (SEAMEC) on July “ª24-26″¬ in Jakarta, Indonesia, which came on the eve of the completion of Dr. Saguiguit’s unprecedented third term as SEARCA Director.
This biennial meeting gathers the Ministers of Education of the 11 SEAMEO member countries in Southeast Asia.
The SEAMEO Service Award adds to Dr. Saguiguit’s numerous distinctions received from national and international/foreign institutions for his exemplary development work in the agricultural sector.
These include the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole (Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit) given by the French government for his efforts to strengthen cooperation between France and the Philippines and Southeast Asia in the areas of agricultural research, education, and culture.
