AP-FECM Online Seminar

Picture source: UBC Forestry

To engage the AP-FECM Steering Committee in advancing innovation in forestry education in the AP-FECM region and keep our communication regular, the AP-FECM Executive Office (EO) has proposed and coordinated the AP-FECM Online Seminar with the confirmation from the AP-FECM Steering Committee.

This seminar will be organized by each AP-FECM Steering Committee on a rotational basis. The on-duty steering committee is responsible for contacting the speaker and promoting the event within their universities and regions. The invited steering committee can give the talk or recommend one expert to give the talk. EO can help promote the seminars to all AP-FECM members and post them on the AP-FECM website.  The seminar will be recorded and posted online.

Seminar time: The first Thursday of each month, can be adjusted to another day if necessary. 

Seminar frequency and duration: Once per month, 1 hour each time. 45 min presentation+15 min Q&A is recommended.

Seminar topics: In 2025, our webinar focuses on the theme of innovation and new trends in forestry and forestry education. As a result of rapid climate change, biodiversity loss and new technological advances, the continued importance of forests to humans, and the threats that forests face, the careers of forestry professionals are evolving rapidly, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Higher forestry education in the Asia Pacific region has been evolving rapidly over the past few years to keep up with the evolving trends in the forestry sector and to accommodate the needs of students and society.

Innovation and new trends in forestry or forestry education can be shared in the webinars, for example, new trends in technology in forestry, teaching pedagogy, conceptual developments, paradigm shifts and program and curriculum innovation are all suitable topics for webinars.

Our Next Webinar:

AP-FECM webinar

Title: Forestry Education and Professional Practice in Chile

Time: Thur. May 08, 2025, 7–8 PM PST (Vancouver)

Zoom Link: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/63584153638?pwd=279VHrSb7rIWEp1sjmV5zUjWL8naS1.1

Meeting ID: 635 8415 3638

Passcode: 228088

Abstract:

The presentation will begin with an overview of the types and distribution of forests and other ecosystems of forestry interest in Chile, along with a brief summary of the process of degradation and loss of forest ecosystems in the country. Secondly, the talk will outline the various professional paths currently pursued by forestry engineers in Chile. Finally, it will present the undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities for forestry education in Chile, and explain how the forestry education program at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is designed to encompass the full range of forestry-related activities in which students may become engaged.

Profile:

My research focuses on vegetation ecology, particularly the roles of climate, biotic interactions, and disturbances—especially wildfires—in vegetation regeneration and successional processes. I am also interested in developing ecological restoration strategies for degraded environments. Most of my research has been conducted in Mediterranean-type ecosystems in central Chile.

Currently, I teach Forest Ecology and Plant Biodiversity at the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Systems of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Since last year, I have also served as Director of the Forestry Engineering Program at the Faculty.

2025 Tentative Schedule

Seminar time (Vancouver time)	On-duty Steering Committee (Host)	Invited Steering Committee	Speaker	Title
6 PM, February 27, 2025,	AP-FECM Executive Office	Dr. John Innes, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Canada	Dr. Orlando Rojas, University of British Columbia	Bioinnovation Accelerates Through a Cross-Disciplinary Framework
6PM, March 06, 2025	Dr. John Innes	Dr. Antanas Spokevicius, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia	Dr. Christopher Weston, Associate Professor (Forest Eco, Fire & Soils), University of Melbourne	Forestry Education in Australia – Engaging the Forest Sector
7PM, April 22, 2025	Dr. Antanas Spokevicius	Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin, Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Bangladesh	Dr. Guangyu Wang, Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia	Forest Therapy: Healing Power from Forests — Origin, Theories, Challenges, and Opportunities
7PM, May 08, 2025	Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin	Dr. Cristián Bonacić, Department of Ecosystems & The Environment, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile	Prof. Pablo I. Becerra, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile	Forestry Education and Professional Practice in Chile
7PM, June 05, 2025	Dr. Cristián Bonacić	Dr. Xiong Li, Beijing Forestry University, China
7PM, July 03, 2025	Dr. Xiong Li	Dr. Hao Ren, College of International Education, Nanjing Forestry University, China
7PM, August 07, 2025	Dr. Hao Ren	Dr. Weibin Wang, Southwest Forestry University, China
7PM, September 04, 2025	Dr. Weibin Wang	Dr. Baatarbileg Nachin, National University of Mongolia
7PM, October 02, 2025	Dr. Baatarbileg Nachin	Dr. Jorge Mario Chavez, Faculty of Forestry Sciences, La Molina National Agrarian University, Peru
7PM, November 06, 2025	Dr. Jorge Mario Chavez	Dr. Juan M. Pulhin, Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Philippines Los Baños, Philippines
6PM, December 04, 2025	Dr. Juan M. Pulhin	Dr. DKNG Pushpakumara, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
6PM, January 01, 2026	Dr. DKNG Pushpakumara	Dr. Rachanee Pothitan, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Thailand
6PM, February 05, 2026	Dr. Rachanee Pothitan	Dr. Hoang Van Sam, Director of International Cooperation Division, Vietnam National University of Forestry