Reinforces call for HEIs
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) reinforced its call for higher education institutions (HEIs) to strengthen link with industry needs during the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Training Center (RETRAC) International Conference on 13-14 July 2023.
On behalf of SEARCA, Deputy Director for Programs Dr. Nur Azura Adam presented a conference paper titled, Reshaping Instruction, Research, and Development for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Southeast Asia.
Taking off from a pandemic scenario, Dr. Nur underscored the role of universities in producing graduates with a transformative mindset and deep understanding of complex social concerns, particularly in the context of food and agriculture. She advocated SEARCA’s initiatives under the Academe-Industry-Government (AIG) Interconnectivity Model which emphasized sharing human and financial resources to strengthen the linkage between basic and applied research and industry needs. She further suggested that agriculture and allied program curriculums be aligned with industry needs.
The Malaysian deputy director also cited the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) as an example of an effective network facilitating the free exchange of information, resources, and expertise among top HEIs. Initiated by SEARCA and launched in 1989, the UC stands today with a strong link of universities in Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, and Germany. It has been essential to SEARCA’s mission to develop the next generation of agriculture leaders and professionals.
RETRAC, a sister center of SEARCA under SEAMEO, has the mandate to assist SEAMEO member countries in identifying and addressing education, leadership, and management issues.
