Myanmar Study Abroad

Southeast Asia Regional Center for Agriculture(SEARCA) Scholarship

http://www.searca.org/web/scholarship/regular_scholarships/index.html
http://www.searca.org/web/scholarship/regular_scholarships/degree/index.html
http://www.searca.org/web/scholarship/regular_scholarships/phdresearch.html
http://www.searca.org/online_forms/searca_scholarship.html
http://www.searca.org/web/scholarship/forms
/SEARCA_scholarship_2009-10_invitation.pdf
http://www.searca.org/web/e_library/forms/GSD-SEARCA_App_Form_06_ed.pdf
http://www.searca.org/web/e_library/forms/phd_app_form_07.pdf
http://www.searca.org/web/e_library/forms/phd_res_scho_invitation_to_apply.pdf

PLEASE NOTE: for official information, specific details, and updated deadlines and instructions, please check the organization’s website and current application forms; if you have problems or questions, please contact us.

Deadlines:

For PhD Research: Application deadlines are 1 April and 1 September.
For Ministries to send endorsements to SEARCA:every 30 July
For PhD Research:. 15 Feb and 1 Sept for filing application

Description:

The SEARCA is one of the 15 regional centers of excellence of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMO). An intergovernmental organization founded in 1965, SEAMO promotes cooperation among Southeast Asian nations through activities in education, science, and culture.
Initiated in academic year 1968-9, SEARCA’s Graduate Study Program has been awarding scholarships to nationals of SEAMO member countries to pursue advanced studies leading to a master’s and doctoral degrees in agriculture, forestry, and related sciences. With four decades of efforts in human resource development through graduate scholarships, SEARCA has produced leaders in the science and practice of agriculture and rural development in the region.
Agricultural competitiveness and natural resource management are key to addressing the problems of food insecurity and poverty in Southeast Asia. Priority research topics for SEARCA scholarships are:

Sustainable land use and water management – watershed management, integrated water resources management, and soil conservation or land use management.
Biodiversity conservation for food security – resource profiling and assessment, resource management and planning and environmental valuation and modeling.
Agricultural competitiveness policies, regulation, and governance; trade issues; food safety and food standards; policy modeling; public investments; and agricultural support services.

Areas of study include but are not limited to those that fall under the following program clusters:

Agricultural / Biological Sciences
Social Sciences
Economics and Statistics
Forestry and Fisheries
Environmental Sciences
Agro-industrial Technology and Engineering
Biochemistry

There are two types of SEARCA scholarship grants available:

PhD Research Scholarships:

Launched in November 2005, the SEARCA PhD Research Scholarship provides financial support to a limited number of qualified PhD students whose researches are relevant to the priority thrusts of SEARCA.
Launched in November 2005, the SEARCA PhD Research Scholarship provides financial support to a limited number of qualified PhD students whose researches are relevant to the priority thrusts of SEARCA.
Requires PhD scholar to spend two months of residency at SEARCA located in the Philippines, produce a research report and article about the research results for possible publication by SEARCA, and to present a seminar on his/her research at SEARCA
This scholarship program aims to:

Provide PhD students the opportunity to use the resources and facilities available at SEARCA and its network of universities for their research;
Produce quality research papers for publication; and
Enable them to work with SEARCA’s R&D personnel on mutually identified areas of concerns/interests in agriculture and rural development.

Provides financial support for one time round trip flight to SEARCA for two month residency requirement; research funds not to exceed $4,000US; travel and accident insurance; stipend of US$400/month to cover living expenses during the two month stay at SEARCA
Provides office space during the period of residency at SEARCS as well as access to the email and Internet facilities of SEARCA.

MS/PhD Scholarships:

Initiated in academic year 1968-69, the Graduate Scholarship Program aims to ensure the relevance and responsiveness of Southeast Asia’s agricultural scientists and professionals to global sustainable development issues.
The program provides support for advanced studies leading to the MS and PhD degrees in agriculture, forestry, and related fields. Thus, SEARCA aims to prepare grantees for positions of leadership in developing economies of SEAMEO member countries.
This degree scholarship was initiated in academic year 1968-69 and aims to ensure the relevance and responsiveness of Southeast Asia’s agricultural scientists and professionals to global sustainable development issues.
The program provides support for advanced studies leading to the MS and PhD degrees in agriculture, forestry, and related fields. Thus, SEARCA aims to prepare grantees for positions of leadership in developing economies of SEAMEO member countries.
Applicants may also view information on benefits and privileges of scholars, places of study, application procedures, where to apply, recruitment procedures, and conditions of the grant.
As of 1 July 2007, SEARCA has granted 1,196 scholarships, of which 1,000 study programs (425 PhD, 575 MS) had been completed.
Over the decades, the Graduate Study Program has expanded its scope to include institutional development and networking activities and services to enhance graduate education in the region. SEARCA also provides services for administration of scholarship funds under the sponsorship of institutions other than SEAMEO.

Places of Study:

Any of the following universities, as well as those that have institutional arrangements with SEARCA, may serve as study posts of SEARCA MS and PhD scholars:

University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Kasetsart University (KU)Bangkok, Thailand
Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB)Bogor, Indonesia
University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD)Quezon City, Philippines
University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV)Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines
Thammasat UniversityThailand
National University of SingaporeSingapore
University of Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Benefits and Privileges:

Financial Support covers stipend, tuition, international and domestic travel allowances, thesis/dissertation support, book allowance, and health insurance. The domestic travel allowance is sometimes allowed to support registration fees in training courses/seminars/workshops.
Discounted Accommodation. Scholars are encouraged to stay at the SEARCA Residence Hotel (SRH) to meet other graduate students of different nationalities. Scholars who bring their families with them can stay in SEARCA apartments, also at subsidized rental fee.
Assistance with Student Visa Processing. The Center takes care of processing the extension of its scholars’ student visas for the duration of their scholarship.
Computer Purchase Loan. This is given to scholars without interest and payable to the Center in a specified number of months through automatic stipend deduction.
In-house and Other Training Courses or Seminars. Scholars may avail of these training courses upon request, especially in fields related to their studies. Official functions like the weekly SEARCA Agriculture and Development Seminar Series are also open to them. They are, therefore, exposed to exchange of ideas outside their classrooms.
Use of SEARCA Facilities. Facilities open to SEARCA scholars are the Center’s Library and Email Room. Scholars studying at UPLB are given free SEARCA e-mail accounts and e-mail access.
Participation in Sociocultural Activities. SEARCA scholars are introduced to the SEARCA family through orientation/welcome party. Being part of the SEARCA family, they are invited to the Center’s summer outing, sportsfest, anniversary celebration, and Christmas parties.
Counseling. Scholars who are experiencing academic difficulties and those with personal problems may seek guidance from the Graduate Scholarship Department.

Eligibility and Restrictions:

For PhD Research:

Any graduate student who is a citizen of any SEAMEO member country and pursuing a PhD in agriculture or related sciences from any university in the world is eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The applicant must have already completed his/her course work with an approved dissertation proposal and is ready to conduct the dissertation research. The applicant’s research must focus on any of SEARCA’s priority thrusts under the broad themes of natural resource management and promotion of agricultural competitiveness.
Priority is given to scholars not receiving any other research grant

For MS/PhD Scholarship applicants:

must be national of SEAMO member countries who are regular employees of academic or research institutions or government agencies.
Applicants must not be more than 35 years old.
Proposed thesis research of applicants should focus on SEARCA’s priority thrusts.
Granted on yearly basis but is extneded up to 24 months for a masters degree and 36 months for a doctoral program. Extension subject to academic performance.
Covers tuition and other school fees, travel allowance, local transport, thesis/dissertation support, book and supplies, health insurance, stipend of US $400/month for food, lodging and incidental expenses
does not support scholar’s family
scholar must be full time, should not work for pay during the award but may seek additional support for thesis expenses if the SEARCA award is not enough

Application Procedure:

Any interested national of a SEAMEO member country may apply for scholarship. Applications may be submitted to any one of the following Ministries of his/her own country:

Ministy of Education
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Forestry
Ministry of Fisheries
Ministry of Rural Development

Application forms and information brochures on the universities that may serve as study posts of SEARCA scholars are available at these Ministries.

PhD Research Scholarship applicants are required to submit the following documents:

Filled out Application Form (see above);
Letter of application for the research scholarship;
Recommendation letter from the Dean of Graduate School of the university where the student is pursuing his/her degree program;
Dissertation research outline/proposal approved by the Advisory Committee and Dean of Graduate School;
Budgetary requirement for the entire research duly attested and recommended by the major adviser and Dean of Graduate School;
Certified transcript of academic records for all courses taken at the PhD level;
Curriculum vitae;
Letter from the student certifying that he/she is not receiving any other research grant from any other institution. If partial funding has been obtained from other sources, a certification from the funding agency indicating the amount of grant and the items in the research that are covered by the grant; and
Research timetable indicating the activities involved in the research, the expected date of defense and expected date of seminar paper presentation.
Applications should be addressed to:
Dr. Editha C. Cedicol, Manager of Graduate Scholarship Department, SEARCA, Los Baños 4031 Laguna, Philippines.

For inquiries, please email gsd_at_agri.searca.org.
MS/PhD Scholarship applicants are required to submit the following documents:

SEARCA Scholarship Application Form (2 copies);
Application forms for admission to the Graduate School of the universities where the applicant may pursue graduate studies under SEARCA scholarship;
Official transcript of academic records of each degree completed (BS transcript for MS applicants and BS and MS transcripts for PhD applicants);
Certification of employment;
A two-page write-up on agricultural competitiveness or natural resource management;
A brief description of the research that the applicant plans to conduct for thesis/dissertation. The research topic must be in line with the priority thrusts of SEARCA. (SEARCA Five-Year Plan may be viewed at http://www.searca.org/web/e_library/reports/SEARCA%208th%20Five-Year%20Plan.pdf);
Two copies of passport-size pictures of the applicant;
Certification from a medical doctor that the applicant is in good physical and mental health condition and is fit to undertake graduate studies;
Official endorsement from the employer;
Results of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): score of 550 for paper-based and 213 for computer-based) or IELTS results (6.0). The TOEFL results must be issued by Princeton, New Jersey, USA. Check the schedule and venue of TOEFL tests in your country at http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/tclists/BOTH_a.html or download copy of the schedule here .

Where to apply:
Malaysia

THE SECRETARY GENERALInternational Affairs DivisionMinistry of Higher EducationBlock E3, Parcel EThe Federal Government Administrative Center62605 Putrajaya, MalaysiaTel: (60-3) 8883 5000Fax: (60-3) 8889 1327

THE MINISTERMinistry of Agriculture1st Floor, Wisma Tani, Jalan 03Sultan Salahuddin 50632Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaTel: (60-3) 2671 5000Fax: (60-3) 2691 3758

THE MINISTERMinistry of Rural Development10th Floor, Menara Aetna UniversalJalan Raja ChulanKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaFax: (856-21) 412 341

Myanmar

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL (Training)Department of Education, Planning, and TrainingMinistry of EducationThein Byu Road, Botahtaung TownshipYangon, MyanmarTel (95-1) 286 704, 289 538Fax: (95-1) 285 480

THE MINISTERMinistry of Agriculture and IrrigationThirimaingalal Lane, Yankin TownshipYangon, MyanmarTel: (95-1) 663 270Fax: (95-1) 663 984

THE MINISTERMinistry of ForestryThirimingala Lane, Kabe AyePagoda Road, Mayangon TownshipYangon, MyanmarTel: (95-1) 289 184Fax: (95-1) 665 661

Singapore
THE HEADInternational Relations Planning DivisionMinistry of Education1 North Buona Vista DriveSingapore 138675Tel: (65-6) 879 6036Fax (65-6) 775 2457

Thailand
THE DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARY Ministry of EducationRajdamnern AvenueBangkok 10300, ThailandTel: (66-2) 628 5647Fax: (66-2) 281 0953

THE MINISTERMinistry of Agriculture and CooperativesThanon Ratchadamnoen NokBangkok 10200, ThailandTel: (66-2) 281 5884Fax: (66-2) 280 1691

Attachments:

Other application Forms

SEARCA – download
UP Los Baños Graduate School (UPLB GS)

– UPLB GS Form No. 1 (Application) download
– UPLB GS Form No. 2 (Recommendation) download
– UPLB GS Form No. 3 (English Proficiency) download

UP Diliman (UPD)

– College of Science download
– School of Economics download

UP Visayas (UPV)

– Graduate Program in Fisheries download
– Graduate Program in Marine Affairs download

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) – Graduate Program download
Kasetsart University (KU) – Graduate Program download
Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) – Graduate Program download
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) – Graduate Program download