On 09th March 2017, Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF) held the Opening Ceremony of the International Master Program on Tropical Forestry.

Among other, the ceremony was attended by Mrs. Anke Stahl – Director of the DAAD Regional Office in Hanoi, Dr. Paul Winkler from University of Goettingen - Germany, and Dr. Tobias Matusch – Development Advisor of GIZ. The Vietnam National University of Forestry was represented by  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tuan – Vice President of VNUF,  leaders of the International Cooperation Division, the Postgraduate Training Division, the Training Division, the Faculty of Silviculture, the Faculty of Forest Resources & Environment Management and lecturers as well as students of the program.

Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Anke Stahl congratulated all students who have been selected to enroll on the first course of the International Master Program on Tropical Forestry. She emphasized the roles and responsibilities of the first year students. The students have not only the chance to become future scientists in tropical forestry, but they can also play an important role in supporting the cooperation in training and scientific research nationally and internationally. Despite many difficulties such as the language and culture barrier, she believes that students from VNUF will complete their studies successfully.

On behalf of VNUF, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Sam, Director of the International Cooperation Division expressed his thanks to the international experts from University of Göttingen and TU Dresden, Germany, National University of Lao, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia, and especially Mrs. Anke Stahl as well as Dr. Simone Pfeiffer, University of Goettingen,for their support in developing and implementing this program; at the same time, he also thanked the international and Vietnamese master students who have been selected and participate in the first International Master Program on Tropical Forestry at VNUF. Furthermore, he gave useful advices for living and studying at VNUF.

On behalf of the University of Goettingen, the partner University of the program, Dr. Paul Winkler provided information on the University of Goettingen and opportunities for students to continue their studies in Germany after graduation of this program.

Dr. Tobias Matusch,Development Advisor of the GIZ, provided information especially on the project "Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services in forests in Vietnam". He also agreed to support the students during his stay at VNUF.

As representative of the students from the International Master Program, Ms. Chin Koylan from Cambodia expressed her thanks and wished that lecturers of VNUF will support students in the learning process and exchange of experience.

The International Master Program on Tropical Forestry is enrolled by at least 14 students from 6 countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan and Vietnam. The course is taught in English by professors from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Germany (University of Goettingen and TU Dresden) and has a duration of 24 months. The course will not only provide knowledge and skills on tropical forestry, but also support in cooperation and networking nationally and internationally. This will lead to opportunities to develop solutions for the current problems of forest degradation and unsustainable use of forest resources.

Some pictures of the opening:

Madam Anke Stahl – Director of DAAD Vietnam, Lao, Cambodia and Myanma gives speech

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Sam, Director of International cooperation Division, VNUF gives speech

Dr. Paul Winkler – Gottingen University, Germany gives speech

Dr. Tobias Matusch – Development advisor, GIZ gives speech

Miss Chin Koylan - MSC student gives speech

Giving scholarship to students

Visit class room and dom

Source: Vietnam National University of Forestry.