Searca and Nagoya University Ink Agriculture Education Pact
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — On October 13, 2025, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) and Nagoya University (NU) signed an agreement to introduce the NU-Searca Joint Transnational PhD Scholarship for Filipino nationals. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in supporting the academic and professional growth of Filipino professionals.
During the signing ceremony, Nagoya University was represented by Yamauchi Akira, director of the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) and Asia Collaborative Development Department (ACDD), Global Multi-Campus Institute. Searca was represented by Director Mercedita Sombilla. The partnership revives the long-standing relationship between the two institutions that began in 1986, aiming to provide opportunities for Filipino working professionals to pursue doctoral studies in key areas such as engineering, agriculture, international development, and environmental studies.
One of the most notable aspects of this initiative is its flexibility. It allows participants to continue their jobs and remain in their home countries while pursuing their studies. The program combines face-to-face supervision with online engagement, offering a balanced approach to learning. Additionally, it provides Filipino students with the chance to visit Japan during their studies, enhancing their educational experience through international exposure.
Director Sombilla emphasized the shared commitment of Searca and NU to advancing agricultural education and research for sustainable development. She highlighted that over the past four decades, their joint PhD scholarship program has produced outstanding agricultural leaders from the Philippines and Cambodia. These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective countries and the broader Southeast Asian region.
“This initiative will facilitate the empowerment of the next generation of leaders who will catalyze agricultural transformation,” Sombilla said. She also noted that the program aligns with Searca’s 12th Five-Year Development Plan, which focuses on the Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (Sustain Southeast Asia). This plan aims to build a climate-resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agricultural sector.
Sombilla expressed gratitude for NU’s continued trust in Searca and acknowledged the university as one of the Center’s most active and reliable partners. She proposed expanding the program to include Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste, as well as considering the possibility of offering Master’s scholarships. She also mentioned ongoing discussions with the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to secure additional funding and increase scholarship availability for Filipino scholars.
This new initiative represents a promising opportunity for Filipino professionals seeking to advance their careers while contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture in Southeast Asia. With the support of Searca and Nagoya University, the program is set to empower a new generation of leaders who will drive innovation and progress in the agricultural sector.
