PAA Participates in the SEARCA-led Agri Vision 2029: International Dialogue on on the Future of Agriculture Higher Education Program in the Philippines

                                                                                                                                                 Dr. Bautista represents the PAA in AgriVision 2029. (Photo courtesy of SEARCA)

Los Baños, Laguna — In an effort to discuss and shape the future of agricultural higher education in the country, AgriVision 2029 was held last 20 August at the SEARCA Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. The event was attended by key players in the higher education sector including educators, agricultural policy advocates, and industry leaders in the sector. It is one of the activities under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commissioned project "Formulating the

Five-Year Roadmap for Agriculture Higher Education Program in the Philippines”. 

The conference chiefly discussed the development of agricultural higher education in the country for the next five years. In order to improve the impact and relevance of the academic programs, participants in round table discussions (RTDs) on the following: 1.Enhancing the functionality of higher education institutions; 2.Curriculum improvement; and 3.Enabling policy environment. Dr. Virginia R. Cardenas, SEARCA project leader and PAA Career Progression and Specialization Program (CPSP) committee chair, provided the overview of the Philippine Agriculture Higher Education program. 

To share insights on the importance of an enabling policy environment on agricultural higher education in the country, RTD 3 members composed of Dr. Edgardo Tulin, Dr. Suzette Lina, Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr, Dr. Karen Bautista and CHED representatives reviewed the existing policies and proposed amendments. Dr Bautista, PAA National President, was chosen to serve as the representative of the group and discussed the summary of key points and decisions. She also emphasized the need for an enabling law for agriculture professionals. 

The event featured Dr. Weerapon Thongma of the Maejo University in Thailand who was invited as one of the speakers. His presentation focused on strategies for reinventing the university agricultural through technology and innovation that answers the evolving needs of the sector.

Dr. Nur Azura Adam from the Faculty of Agriculture in Universiti Putra Malaysia presented the UPM’s experience as part of the agriculture HEI program in the ASEAN region. It was noted that UPM’s curriculum was revised to become industry driven, particularly in terms of technology advancement and demand in order to be globally competitive​.

AgriVision 2029 aims to foster collaboration and generate actionable recommendations to ensure that agricultural higher education in the Philippines remains responsive to both local and global challenges.

AgriVision 2029 was jointly organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Visayas State University (VSU), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).