On 26-30 August 2013, BIOTROP facilitated the comparative study tour for four staff members of SEAMEO Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on the various programs and activities and best management practices of four Indonesia-based SEAMEO Centres.

The SEAMEO SEARCA group included Mr. Jaymark Warren Dia, Ms Bernisse Sabina Almazan, Mr. Nicolas Sapin, and Mr. Jaime B. Buendia.

Other than BIOTROP, the other SEAMEO Centres that the group also visited were the Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC), Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition (RECFON) and Regional Centres for Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel (QITEP) in Language and Science.

At BIOTROP, the group was welcomed and given a general overview of the Centre’s programs and activities by Dr. Jess C. Fernandez, Deputy Director for Program.  They received specific orientations on the Centre’s operations and best practices from  Mr. Harry Imantho on information system management, services and  infrastructure; Ms. Madyawati on facilities management and maintenance; and Ms. Rima Febriana on general administration. Mr. Imantho,  Ms. Madyawati and Ms. Febriana are BIOTROP’s  Department managers for Knowledge Management, Facilities Management, and General Administration and Public Relations, respectively.

The group also had the opportunity to visit cultural places of interest such as the Taman Mini, a miniature representation of Indonesia, and the Taman Safari.