Summer School Discover Tropical Forest Operation

Discover Tropical Forest Operations Summer School 2026

15–19 June 2026
Organized by the Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University

Supported by International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Division 3.00.00 and Division 3.03.00
and the Nordic Alumni Engagement Initiative Programme 2026

Program Overview

Thailand offers a unique learning environment where natural forests, plantations, and small- to medium-scale forest operations coexist, making it an ideal setting for applied education in forest technology and operations.

To respond to the growing need for technically skilled forestry professionals who can integrate productivity, safety, sustainability, and local socio-economic contexts, the Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University will organize a five-day intensive Forest Technology Summer School in Thailand.

The program combines lectures, practical demonstrations, and hands-on field activities, focusing on key aspects of forest operations such as:

• Wood procurement systems
• Timber harvesting and transportation
• Forest operations safety and human factors
• Wood utilization efficiency

Targeting Kasetsart University undergraduate and graduate students, early-career researchers, and selected participants from partner institutions, the summer school emphasizes experiential, interdisciplinary, and multi-level learning.

The program will be co-taught by Nordic faculty members and Kasetsart University academic staff, integrating international best practices with Thai and regional forestry conditions. This collaborative approach will enable participants to critically assess how advanced forest technologies and operational standards can be adapted to tropical contexts.

Beyond technical training, the summer school also aims to foster professional networking, knowledge exchange, and long-term academic collaboration among students, researchers, and practitioners.

Objectives

Encourage interdisciplinary learning and professional networking among students and early-career researchers.

Strengthen participants’ practical skills and understanding of forest technology and operations, including harvesting, transportation, safety, and operational efficiency.

Promote the application of international best practices and modern forest technologies in Thai and regional forestry contexts.

Target Group

1. Undergraduate and graduate students of Kasetsart University, particularly from the following fields:

• Forestry
• Forest Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Agriculture
• Engineering
• Economics
• Policy
• GIS
  (Students from other relevant disciplines are also welcome.)

2. Early-career researchers
3. Selected participants from partner institutions
Maximum number of participants: 15

Learning Approach

The summer school adopts a practice-oriented learning format consisting of:

• 20% Lectures
• 40% Field Excursions
• 20% Hands-on Tools & Demonstrations
• 20% Group Work, Reflection, and Discussion

Application

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents:

• Motivation Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please send your application to:

📧 FFORNRM@KU.AC.TH
📧 Nopparat.m@ku.th

Application Deadline:
📅 4 April 2026

If a large number of applications are received, interviews may be conducted as part of the selection process.

The list of selected participants will be sent directly to the chosen students