XXVI IUFRO WORLD CONGRESS
Forestry Education Technical Session
T5.18 Initiatives and Equity for Forest Education in a New Era
June 27, 2024, Thursday, 08:30-10:30
T3, The Stockholm Exhibition and Congress Centre – Stockholmsmässan
To address the differences in forest management knowledge and in the effectiveness of current management strategies, high-quality education resources need to be promoted and shared, especially between areas rich in forests and areas experiencing unprecedented deforestation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. We aimed to create this opportunity to share and promote the initiatives and equity in forest education crossing regional boundaries, enhancing the quality of forest education worldwide via the platform of the 26th IUFRO World Congress. Since the middle of 2022, the Executive Office of AP-FECM, as the main organizer, started to prepare the Technical Session entitled “Initiatives and Equity for Forest Education In a New Era” in the 26th IUFRO World Congress. After the long process of application, selection, registration, and review, we finally held the Technical Session on June 27, 2024, in Stockholm during the 26th IUFRO World Congress.
The AP-FECM Chair, Prof. John Innes chaired the Session. A total of nine scholars presented their studies. These speakers represented the main forestry universities and institutions across Asia, North America and Europe, including the University of British Columbia in Canada, Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, Oregon State University in the USA, Università degli Studi di Padova in Italy, Beijing Forestry University in China, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute in Japan, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Sweden and University of Chittagong in Bangladesh. Presentation topics are very comprehensive, including AI application in forestry education, open access to forestry courses, interdisciplinary forestry training programs, online / blended forestry training programs, regional forestry higher education in China and Japan, gender equality in forestry education in Nordic countries, and international collaboration in forestry education. Please see the attached annexes for detailed information on the titles of presentations and speakers.
During the panel discussion, our speakers and audiences communicated more about the current challenges and opportunities in forestry education. The use of AI in forestry education is one of the most popular topics in engaged discussions. It brings more challenges to instructors as more time and effort are committed to distinguishing AI contributions to students’ works. On the other hand, new applications based on AI bring new experience and efficiency in teaching. Generally, the application of AI in education is controversial, and a balanced approach combining technical skills, critical thinking, and ethical considerations is required. Another deep discussion lies in online education. Online education is an alternative approach which allows students to access the courses easily. However, the field experience in forestry education is critical. The blended courses with field school should be adopted in practice. Some experts mentioned new technologies, such as AI, 3D cameras, Drone and GIS which can bring a broad view of the forest/landscape. They can be great tools to enhance the field experience of students. Experts also discussed the current challenges in forestry education. To keep competitive and updated in the current global context, forestry education needs to integrate with the content of climate change, environment conservation, environmental policy, livelihoods, bioeconomy and others, with interdisciplinary training programs and international cooperation, to bring more opportunities to future forestry professionals. Additionally, there is also discussion about the overall reduction of student numbers in forestry in Europe and North America identifying causes and discussing ways to address these important issues. Gender equality in forestry higher education is also discussed among the experts. There are increasing female students engaged in forestry programs. However, the gender gap still exists in most countries in forestry education. There are opportunities to decrease the gender gap in forestry with the future of multidisciplinary training programs, AI applications and digitalization.
Annex
AP-FECM Steering Committee Meeting
During the 26th IUFRO World Congress, the Executive Office of AP-FECM organized an AP-FECM Steering Committee Meeting in Stockholm. To adapt to the availability of participants, the meeting was held hybrid with an in-person venue in Stockholm and online via Zoom Meeting. AP-FECM Steering Committee from the University of British Columbia, Southwest Forestry University, Beijing Forestry University, Nanjing Forestry University, Melbourne University, Chittagong University and APFNET representative participated in the meeting in person. AP-FECM Steering Committee from Pontifical Catholic University, La Molina National Agrarian University, University of Philippines Los Baños, and Kasetsart University joined the meeting online.
The meeting was chaired by AP-FECM Chair Prof. John Innes. Dr. Suzy Zeng first presented an overview of the work of the AP-FECM Executive Office last year, followed by a discussion of all proposed topics. The AP-FECM Rules and Procedure was the main topic. Dr. John Innes introduced that some rules and election procedures of AP-FECM were similar to the rules of other international organizations, such as IUFRO. However, the rules of every organization can be different adapted to the particularities and background of the organization. The participants proposed and exchanged ideas for the rules, but the proposed changes could not cover all the aspects of concern and future discussion and revision are needed beyond the meeting.
Afterward, topics related to the online education project Phase III, AI application in Forestry, shared programs of AP-FECM from members, student mobility, and research cooperation were discussed.
During the meeting, all participants agreed to
1. seek funding for online SFM course development
2. hold a seminar for AI application in Forestry
3. promote the international master’s program in AP-FECM members (scholarships available from NFU and BFU)
4. seek more funding resources for AP-FECM
5. promote student mobility and research cooperation (based on the bilateral agreement)
After the meeting, all in-person participants joined the dinner together to further discuss collaboration in research and education in the Hammarby neighbourhood of Stockholm.
Annex