Granted regular membership in 2023, University President Evaristo A. Abella now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources or the University Consortium (UC). During the 37th UC Executive Board Meeting, held at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Laguna from September 23-24, 2024, President Abella presented CLSU’s significant contributions and accomplishments in advancing the consortium’s goals, particularly in promoting innovative platforms for agriculture and natural resources.
In attendance were the heads and representatives from the 14 member institutions from Thailand (2), Taiwan (1), Indonesia (2), Malaysia (2), Philippines (5), Japan (1), and Canada (1). Each institution presented their accomplishments as well as their recommendations, proposals and suggestions to improve further and expand the reach of the consortium.
Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr, UPLB Chancellor and host for the Executive Board Meeting, welcomed the participants at the UPLB Sculpture Garden boasting the artwork installations as the accent of the meeting venue stressing that with everyone’s presence and cooperation, UC can surmount all the challenges, and chart a new path and platforms for the consortium.
Meanwhile, Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), traced the journey of the organization celebrating its 35th year of existence from a group of five founding members to the now growing and inclusive group of academic institutions in the region. With a common goal of championing sustainable agriculture, food security, micro-certification, and carbon neutrality.
In his report, Dr. Abella noted that after becoming a regular member, CLSU intensified the support and productive engagement with the member institutions by providing the faculty and staff a platform to improve their crafts and collaborate with their counterparts in the region. He also expressed his gratitude to the support giving by UC to the initiatives of CLSU including the conduct of the annual International Short-term Summer Program.
“I am expressing my gratitude to the University Consortium, and SEARCA, for providing us with a platform to capacitate our human resources and amplify the impact of our programs not only in the local community but also within our region,” said Dr. Abella.
Dr. Abella also reaffirmed CLSU’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, purposive engagement, and productive exchange of ideas and human resources among the partner member institutions.
Following his presentation, the UC expressed appreciation for CLSU’s initiative in hosting UC events and contributing essential resources to ensure their success. The consortium also encouraged other member institutions to replicate these efforts in future collaborations.
The meeting, presided by Dr. Camacho, Jr., will also deliberate on concerning future events, plans and projects of the consortium, as well as the application and status of the affiliate member and the application of a university in Malaysia and two from Canada.
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