The Central Luzon State University through the International Affairs Office (IAO) in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agricultural and Natural Resources (UC), is hosting the November Edition of the International Summer Short-term Program (ISSP) 2025, gathering 23 delegates from 11 universities across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

This year’s cohort includes participants from Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) and University of Brawijaya (UB) in Indonesia; Maejo University (MU) in Thailand; Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Malaysia; National Chiayi University (NCYU) in Taiwan; Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) in Brunei; and Visayas State University (VSU), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Central Mindanao University (CMU), Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), and Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Philippines.

Running from November 16 to 30, ISSP 2025 offers specialized tracks in Sustainable Crop Biotechnology, Sustainable Mushroom Pharming, and Precision and Digital Agriculture. Over the course of the program, participants will take part in knowledge-sharing sessions, cultural immersion activities, applied skill development, institutional tours, and extension programs led by experts and faculty-researchers from the DA-Crop Biotechnology Center (DA-CBC) Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the CLSU-College of Science and the Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development (CTMRD), and the University Research and Extension Office and Precision and Digital Agriculture Center (PreDict).

The program opened with IAO Director Dr. Parsons N. Hail providing an overview of ISSP 2025 and outlining expectations for the two-week training. Dr. Emil F. Ubaldo, Chief of the Mobility and Intercultural Exchange Unit, introduced the participating institutions and shared that each year’s edition of the ISSP features new participating universities showcasing the growing reach of the program.

SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita S. Sombilla also delivered a message of support, sharing her insights as she experiences the ISSP for the first time in her tenure. “This program is more than just a learning experience… ISSP empowers graduate students to lead in agriculture, fisheries, mushroom pharming, and transboundary animal disease management. It is a bold investment in the next generation of sustainability champions.” She further commended CLSU and SEARCA’s steadfast members for leading the initiative with vision and excellence, together with the UC members and partners.

Ms. Blessie Saez, Senior Program Associate of the Education and Collective Learning Department, highlighted the opportunities available for students and faculty through SEARCA and the UC consortium, while Dr. Khin Mar Cho, international agriculture, food systems, and nutrition specialist and adjunct professor of CLSU, encouraged delegates to actively engage in the program.

CLSU President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco expressed their appreciation for the collaboration with UC-SEARCA and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to strengthening international programs that enhance mobility, research partnerships, and global engagement.

Follow the official communication channels of CLSU and IAO for updates on ISSP 2025 and other internationalization initiatives.