SYNERGY BETWEEN SEARCA AND UITM PUSHES FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) formalized its partnership with the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Malaysia, to cooperate on education, student and staff training and development, research innovation, and joint publications.

“SEARCA is now aligned with UiTM’s mission to provide a strong foundation with world-class standards in producing globally competitive Malaysians. Most especially in the field of knowledge management where SEARCA’s main mandate to cultivate a cadre of agricultural champions throughout the region has been creating ripples more than ever,” SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio said during the virtual ceremonial signing between SEARCA and UiTM on 30 September 2021.

Established in 1956 to help rural Malays, UiTM is a public university based in Shah Alam, Malaysia. It has since grown into the largest institution of higher education in Malaysia spread across 34 satellite campuses.

Dr. Gregorio, and Prof. Ts. Dr. Hajah Roziah Mohd Janor, UiTM Vice Chancellor, sealed the memorandum of understanding between the two institutions with Mr. Joselito G. Florendo, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration, and Prof. Dr. Yamin Yasin, UiTM Negeri Sembilan Branch Rector, also signed the agreement as witnesses.

UiTM Negeri Sembilan Branch Rector Prof. Dr. Yasin said UiTM and SEARCA “shall serve as the backbone for other institutions as a great example in sustaining excellence in both teaching and research globally and internationally.”

“By working with SEARCA, I genuinely believe that we will be able to make a difference in the pursuit of becoming a well-recognized national university. As demonstrated in how we have to adapt in changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, there will always be countless regional and global challenges that call for solutions. And we know that without collaborative efforts of institutions that cross international boundaries, these challenges cannot be resolved effectively,” said Prof. Ts. Dr. Janor.

The Vice Chancellor also added that the signing ceremony will allow UiTM to maximize its resource expertise and facilities as it embraces the challenges brough by the 21st century and the constantly changing environment.

Dr. Gregorio affirmed that UiTM’s partnership with SEARCA is an important step to expand networks and increase regional visibility.

He also told the delegation that Education and Collective Learning (ECL) is one of its core programs of SEARCA’s 11th Five-Year Plan of Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN).