Partnership for Forestry Higher Education Cooperation in Mekong Region (HEI ICI PARFORM)

Partnership for Forestry Higher Education Cooperation in Mekong Region (HEI ICI PARFORM) (2017-2020)

Project leader: Professor Markku Kanninen
Project coordinator: Mr. Dipjoy Chakma
Funding programme: HEI ICI- International development cooperation programme for higher education
Funding source: The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Funding period: 1.3.2017 – 30.3.2020
Main partner: Savannakhet University (SKU)
Associated-Partners: National University of Laos (NUoL), Souphanouvong University (SU), Yezin Agricultural University (YAU), Myanmar and Kasetsart University (KUFF, Thailand)

Summary of the project

Forests and the forestry sector are very important in the livelihoods of people living in the Mekong region which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the southern province of Yunnan in China. Among all the Mekong countries Laos is considered the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects due to their high dependency on natural resources, limited technical capacity and resources.

Laos has recognized that improving forestry higher education is urgent for the betterment of their natural resources management and people’s livelihoods. However, Laos’s forestry education system is lagging behind in the region. Most of the students lack analytical-thinking and problem-solving skills and are now having difficulties in gaining benefits from the countries’ international opening.

Despite the central role all the partner HEIs plays in developing forestry higher education system in Laos, the overall structure lacks modern tools for planning, management and monitoring. The overall objective of HEI ICI PARFORM project proposal is to strengthen the Laos’s forestry higher education and research performance and empowering it to provide good professionals for improved management and the sustainable use of Laos’s forest resources.

The project purpose is to support partner HEIs in terms of international collaboration, curriculum revision, teaching material, introduction of e-learning teaching methods with the aim to provide good forestry professionals and academics for the forest sector in the Mekong region. The project also aims to upgrade learning tools such as forest measurement instruments, computer equipment, reading materials at library and software to support research and practical training activities by local students and staff.

Result Areas

  • Improved quality of higher education and research environment;
  • Enhanced Institutional capacity supporting quality of teaching and research;
  • Strengthened role and relevance of HE in development of society

Main activities for the year 2017 2018 2019 2020

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