Equipping women in agricultural science across the Indo-Pacific

ACIAR is pleased to announce a new cohort of Meryl Williams Fellowship participants from among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Meryl Williams Fellowship (MWF) contributes to food security in our region by supporting female agricultural researchers to improve their leadership and management skills. By building the capacity of women in agricultural research, policy and leadership, the program drives institutional progress towards gender equality. The Fellowship also aims to make meaningful contribution to more secure food systems. 

‘Women have historically been left behind in the agricultural research leadership space’ said ACIAR CEO Prof Wendy Umberger. ‘The Meryl William Fellowship helps create opportunities and time for women to be able to cultivate their skills. They can go back to their institutions with the confidence, skills and networks to drive change. It’s exciting to be working with women from ASEAN countries in this cohort.’ 

About the Meryl Williams Fellowship

The Meryl Williams Fellowship (MWF) offers participants the opportunity to engage in professional development through workshops, mentoring, collaborative assignments, and activities both regionally and in Australia. Fellows are supported to build leadership and professional skills, with activities tailored to their individual goals.

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Originally launched in 2020, the program has already had exceptional impact. The first 2 cohorts comprised 42 women from across the Indo-Pacific region. Following this success, during the 3rd Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit, the Australian Prime Minister announced the expansion of the MWF with a specific cohort of 20 women from ASEAN member states including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. One fellow from Timor-Leste will also participate in the program. Many participants in the previous cohorts will return as mentors for this new group.

Celebrating our ASEAN Meryl Williams Fellows

Our next Meryl Williams Fellows are:

• Mrs Mouylin Chem (Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia)
• Mrs Davy Lay (Department of Personnel and Human Resource Development, Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia)
• Mrs Phalla Vong (General Directorate of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia)
• Ms Sopa Nindia Atiningsih (Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Indonesia)
• Ms Fitrine Ekawasti (National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia)
• Ms Siwi Gayatri (Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia)
• Ms Silvi Nur Oktalina (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Ms Sengphachanh Sonethavixay (The Pathways for Future Farmers in South East Asia Project, Laos)
• Dr Pheophanh Soysouvanh (Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos)
• Ms Khamtay Vongxayya (National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Laos)
• Ms Su Ping Ong (Forest Research Institute Malaysia)
• Dr Jesselle Solivas Laranas (Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development)
• Ms Katrina Kae Principe (Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development)
• Dr Mary Grace Sedanza (University of the Philippines Visayas, Philippines)
• Dr Malasri Khumsri (Department of Fisheries, Thailand)
• Mrs Anita Ximenes (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, National Directorate of Research and Statistics, Timor-Leste)
• Dr Hoang Thi Hue (Plant Resources Center, National Plant Genebank of Vietnam)
• Dr Le Thi Tuyet Nhung (Plant Protection Research Institute, Vietnam)
• Dr Nguyen Le Trang (Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences)
• Dr Nguyen Thi Kim Phuong (Can Tho University, Vietnam)

Fellows will meet at a professional development workshop in Malaysia in April, before they begin their tailored professional training programs. They will come together for a reflective workshop in Australia in October.

Empowering women benefits all

More than half the world’s farmers are women. However, their contributions to agriculture are often undervalued or unrecognised. Ensuring women have equal access to resources and decision making is a direct route to reducing poverty for all. Supporting women in agricultural research and development helps ensure inclusive organisational cultures, which can lead to increased productivity, innovation and improved food security for our region.

‘Previous participants have told us how they have benefited from Australian expertise and the broader scientific networks the program provided them,’ said ACIAR Director Capacity Development Ms Kate Turner-Mann.

This program is funded by ACIAR, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is delivered by Tetra Tech International Development in partnership with the University of New England International Capacity Building. For more information, go to our Meryl Williams Fellowship page.