"Reshaping Research and Development in
Higher Education Institutions
amidst the Pandemic"
Glenn B. Gregorio
Director, SEAMEO SEARCA

The pandemic has underscored the connections between
supply chains and our consumption patterns, and theurgent need to redefine agricultural systems as foodsystems.
Also underscored the role of universities to produce
graduates with a transformative mindset who are adept inunderstanding the growing complex social concerns andare able to effect positive change now and in the future.

What are the major priority areas for researchto accelerate transformation towardsustainable agricultural food systems?

Questions to theUniversities inthis time ofCOVID-19
pandemic

How can the human capital, like their research
and academic initiatives, be fully maximized tosolve the societal concern in times of COVID-19?

As research funding will be limited, what
innovative solutions needed to enhancecapability in knowledge generation?

Proposedkey priority
areas forresearch inagriculture
and alliedfields

UNIVERSITIESENGINES OF SOCIALINCLUSION –KEY INSTITUTIONS FORMEETING THE SDGS –BROUGHT INNOVATIVE
WAYS OF BRINGINGPEOPLE INTO THE
LEARNING
ENVIRONMENTGLOBAL CHALLENGES
THAT FACE HUMANITY
AND THE PLANETCONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY
HAS IMPACT ON HIGHEREDUCATION AND RESEARCH AND
THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT BRIDGESSOCIAL AND CULTURAL
INTERACTION BETWEEN ITSELF
AND THE COMMUNITY

Role of Universities
Addressing disparities between thewealthiest and the poorest and thebalance between the planet andmankind

Ensure SDGs are included in local
agendas, proposing changes to education,
research and engaging with local andglobal communities on sustainable
development

Lead the way in developing asustainable and responsible pathwayto address the current challenges in
the ARD landscape

Educate the current generation with
the necessary knowledge, skills,
attitudes, competencies, andpartnerships to help produce new SDG
leaders

Pursue public goods throughalignment of its interests with thoseof society

Conduct transversal reviews andrefinements of curricula to ensure themainstreaming of SDG issues acrosscurriculaRole of Universities
Widen and extend access to and successful
participation in higher education by serving theneeds of an increasingly diverse student interests
Must put in place resilient education systems thatcan provide students with access to continuous
learning opportunities throughout unpredictableand disorganized periods of disasters and recovery

Capitalizing on Research for Development andInnovations Potential of Universities
The need to support local capacity toward being self-sufficientthrough well-planned local food production systems.
Basic research and Policy support are needed towards:§ Development of new and relevant crop varieties and livestock breeds§ Seed and livestock production and distribution of technologies§ Agricultural systems technologies§ Post-harvest management§ Farm produce transport and logistics systems§ Facilities supporting food quality, nutrition, and safety maintenance§ Diversified farmingCapitalizing on Research for Development andInnovations Potential of Universities
Support more studies and activities related to improving design offinancial technologies for farmers, and encouraging wider participation inthese financial systems like loans and credit systems and agricultural
insurance facilities, among others.
Encourage more programs and budget allocation, as well as private
initiatives related to agriculture, such as farm- based small-and-medium
enterprises.
Massive promotion of sustainable and responsible consumption patternthat provides strong signals for agricultural products that support andobserve cleaner production, environmental conservation, and socialinclusion.

Capitalizing on Research for Development andInnovations Potential of Universities
The growing interest in agriculture needs to be sustainedwith more targeted capacity building activities of relevant
government agencies and groups to specifically promoteand generate more agri-entrepreneursMore studies to ensure the balance between trade priorities
and food security goals particularly under the tenets ofASEAN Economic Cooperation.
Effective coordination mechanisms among countries toreduce trade and food insecurities both at the national andregional levels

SEARCA established UC in 1989
To pursue agricultural
human resource
development in Southeast
Asia by linking top
agricultural universities in
the region to facilitate freeexchange of information,
facilities, and expertise