The Jakarta-based ASEAN Foundation is working on the second phase of a scholarship programme for postgraduate studies in Laos , Cambodia and Myanmar.

The first phase of the programme has been implemented in other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Dr. Makarim Wibisono, the foundation’s Managing Director, said the fund has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with UP Los Ba’os University (UPLB) of the Philippines and worked with Thabaya educational network of Thailand on the improvement of postgraduate education for ASEAN member countries.

The move is aimed at raising the programme’s effectiveness, boosting human resources development in the region and contributing to the region’s peace and security, he said.

Dr. Wibisono stressed that the cooperation is completely in conformity with ASEAN Foundation missions - participating and partnering with the private sector to support the development of the ASEAN community by heightening public awareness of ASEAN identity, boosting exchanges among people in the bloc and further tightening the cooperation in business, civil society and institutes.

Established in 1909, UPLB is one of leading training centres in Southeast Asia in science, technology, agriculture, forestry, veterinary and other areas of research./.