CMU joins SEARCA’s 60th anniversary celebration
Central Mindanao University (CMU) joined the SEARCA 60th Anniversary celebration on October 19–20, 2026, at the SEARCA headquarters at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna.
As an active member of the SEARCA University Consortium, CMU joined scholars, alumni, researchers, and development partners to honor six decades of SEARCA’s contributions to graduate education, agricultural research, and regional development.
Dr. Reggie Yadao-Dela Cruz, professor at the Institute of Biological Sciences and former Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)-SEARCA scholar, represented CMU at the event. Her participation underscored CMU’s ongoing collaboration with SEARCA in strengthening graduate education, research capacity, and sustainable development.
Reflecting on the conference and the role of regional academic partnerships, Dr. Dela Cruz said the event highlighted the need for sustainable, inclusive agriculture.
“The SEARCA conference reaffirmed that agriculture must be sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to farmers’ needs,” Dr. Dela Cruz shared.
She also highlighted how research, education, and regional collaboration can help address climate change and food security challenges.
“I was especially inspired by how research, education, and regional partnerships can address climate and food security challenges, including through harmonized micro-credentials that expand learning opportunities across Southeast Asia. The experience also reminded me that our SEARCA scholarship is measured not only by the degree earned, but by the positive impact we make on others. I return to CMU motivated to contribute to collaborative efforts that advance knowledge and sustainable development,” Dr. Dela Cruz added.
A highlight of the celebration was the 2026 Conference on SUSTAINing Southeast Asia’s Agricultural Futures. The two-day conference gathered 206 participants and provided a platform to share research, exchange perspectives, and build partnerships for more sustainable and inclusive agricultural and rural development. Its program included keynote and plenary messages, six parallel sessions on smallholder livelihoods, agricultural productivity, climate resilience, inclusive communities, biodiversity conservation, and food security and nutrition, and two special sessions on educational innovation and micro-credentials.
The special sessions were held in partnership with the Erasmus+-funded Postgraduate Micro-credentials for Food Security and Climate Change (PMC FSCC) project. They explored flexible learning pathways and how micro-credentials can help address emerging development challenges in Southeast Asia.
SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita A. Sombilla delivered the welcome remarks during the conference’s opening program, which also officially launched the center’s 60th Anniversary activities. Other highlights included the Awarding of Outstanding SEARCA Scholarship Alumni 2026, recognizing alumni whose academic and professional work reflects the impact of scholarship and capacity development, and an Alumni Homecoming Dinner celebrating connections across the SEARCA community.
Through its participation in SEARCA’s 60th Anniversary celebration, CMU reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, research collaboration, and international engagement.
These efforts align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). CMU’s active role in the SEARCA University Consortium also supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through sustained regional academic collaboration. [Johnica Chantal G. Montero with information from Dr. Reggie Yadao-Dela Cruz]
