NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines — Central Luzon State University (CLSU), in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), officially kicked off the Fifth International Summer Short-term Program (ISSP) on 17 November 2025.
Now in its fifth year, the ISSP has grown from its virtual beginnings during the 2021 pandemic into a dynamic and in-person platform for international academic mobility, hands-on training, and collaborative research. This year’s intensive program offers international students three main sustainability tracks: Crop Biotechnology, Tropical Mushroom Pharming, and Precision and Digital Agriculture.
During the opening program, Dr. Parsons Hail, Director of the CLSU International Affairs Office, welcomed participants and outlined the objectives of the ISSP. Dr. Emil Ubaldo, Chief of Mobility and Intercultural Linkages at CLSU-IAO, introduced the representatives from the participating institutions.
A diverse group of 23 participants from six countries in Southeast and East Asia, representing 11 institutions—including eight from the UC: IPB University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Universitas Brawijaya, Visayas State University, Maejo University, Central Mindanao University, and National Chiayi University—joined the program. Other participating universities include Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Aurora State College of Technology, and the host, CLSU.
In a video message, SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla congratulated CLSU for their leadership and commitment to the ISSP. Dr. Sombilla noted that the ISSP is closely aligned with SEARCA’s 12th Five-Year Development Plan focused on Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia, also known as SUSTAIN Southeast Asia. She encouraged participants to leverage their new skills to champion sustainable agriculture and build a food-secure future for the region. Dr. Sombilla also commended the partnership among CLSU, UC, and other collaborators for their leadership and continued support.
Ms. Blessie Saez, Senior Program Associate at SEARCA’s Education and Collective Learning Department, provided an overview of SEARCA’s initiatives and the vital role of the consortium in advancing graduate education and research in agriculture across Southeast Asia.
Dr. Khin Mar Cho, CLSU Adjunct Fellow and International Agriculture, Food Systems and Nutrition Specialist, shared her personal experience as a former international student and encouraged the participants to make the most of their time in the program, both academically and socially.
Dr. Ravelina Velasco, CLSU Vice President for Academic Affairs, highlighted the inspiring growth of ISSP from its early days as an aquaculture program to its current multi-track format. She expressed gratitude to all partners, coordinators, lecturers, and participants, and expressed hope for ongoing cooperation and shared learning beyond the program’s duration.
Adding energy to the event was the presence of Siel, the Green Cobra, CLSU’s official mascot. Siel embodies strength, agility, and resilience—qualities that symbolize CLSU’s commitment to excellence, leadership, and sustainability.
The ISSP continues to stand as a flagship initiative of the CLSU-SEARCA-UC partnership, strengthening academic cooperation and empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders in Southeast Asia.
