Central Luzon State University (CLSU), in partnership with the University Consortium (UC) Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), officially kicked off the 9th University Consortium Summer School on July 28, 2025, at the Academic Affairs Amphitheater.
This year's program revolved around the theme, “Ridge to Reef: Integrated Management for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems,” aiming to address critical issues in food security and environmental resilience through a holistic approach.
Bringing together 27 graduate students from six diverse countries—the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Malaysia—the summer school promises an intensive period of learning and collaboration, running until August 8, 2025.
Dr. Nur Azura Binti Adam, SEARCA Deputy Director of Programs, delivered the first lecture where she discussed the topic on Integrated Pest Management Across Agroecosystems, focusing on comprehensive pest control strategies applicable in various environments. Following her was Dr. Gella Patria L. Abella, Head of the CLSU Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management (ICCEM) who emphasized the critical need for proper land assessment as a cornerstone for sustainable development. Adding a broader perspective, Dr. Annie Melinda Paz-Alberto, President of the Climate Action and Sustainable Development Association and former CLSU University Professor, highlighted the overarching Ridge-to-Reef approach for integrated management, underscoring its vital role in ensuring both food security and ecosystem resilience.
In his opening message, Dr. Evaristo A. Abella, CLSU President, expressed his certainty that the graduate students would not only gain new knowledge but also fully experience Philippine culture and significantly expand their professional networks.
“You should think that the more important part of this class is the networking. You build the networks and collaboration with participants so that after the class, as you return to your respective countries, you continue to collaborate,” President Abella said.
The 9th UC Summer School was designed to be a transformative experience for graduate students, fostering invaluable knowledge exchange and critical collaboration to collectively address the pressing global challenges of food security and environmental sustainability through its comprehensive "Ridge to Reef" framework.
