Erasmus+ FORSU

FORSU Project Coordinator Visits RMSTU to Review Progress and Strengthen Future Collaboration

On 19 May 2026, FORSU Project Coordinator Mr. Dipjoy Chakma (University of Helsinki, Finland) visited Rangamati Science and Technology University (RMSTU) to review project activities, assess the completion status, discuss pending tasks, and provide constructive feedback for the successful implementation of the project.

During the visit, Mr. Dipjoy Chakma met with the newly appointed Honorable Vice-Chancellor of RMSTU, Professor Dr. Zainul Abedin Siddique, to discuss ongoing FORSU activities and future collaboration opportunities in the areas of capacity building, research, academic exchange, employment opportunities, and pedagogy.

The meeting was attended by Registrar Mr. Mohammad Jonaed Kabir, FORSU Project Manager (RMSTU part) Dr. Suprio Chakma, Chairman of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science (FES) Dr. Nikhil Chakma, Mr. Saddam Hossen, Assistant Professor, FES, Ms. Saptarshi Chakma, Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Ms. Rish*ta Chakma, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and other FORSU project staff members.

The FORSU project is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

2nd and Final Day of FORSU Closing Workshop: Strengthening Cooperation for Landscape Restoration Education Among Partners

The Honorable Rector Professor Dr. Nguyen Hung Quang delivered a welcome speech during the main closing event held on 31 March 2026 at Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF), followed by the introduction of participants. He warmly welcomed and thanked all attendees for participating in the FORSU closing workshop and reiterated the importance of forest landscape restoration in addressing climate change and sustainable natural resource management, emphasizing the need for strengthened academic capacity, quality education, and institutional connectivity.

Professor Edward Webb from University of Helsinki highlighted the critical role of higher education in global development. He emphasized that higher education institutions can significantly contribute to sustainable development, as demonstrated by the FORSU project through the development of academic curricula, enriched learning experiences in natural resource management, and the promotion of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.

The Honorable Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman from Rangamati Science and Technology University, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the organizers, the FORSU Project Management Team, and the European Union for undertaking such impactful initiatives aimed at societal well-being while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Professor Dr. Masudur Rahman, representing Patuakhali Science and Technology University, highlighted the achievements of the FORSU project in promoting joint research, academic curriculum development, and knowledge sharing among partner institutions.

Representatives from Hue University, University of Freiburg, and Tay Nguyen University Dr. Tran Nam Thang, Professor Dr. Marc Christian Hanewinkel, and Professor Houng delivered their speeches, emphasizing the strong commitment and dedication of project partners in successfully implementing project activities and underscoring the importance of continuing future collaboration and academic partnerships.

Dr. Cora from CIFOR-ICRAF presented the importance of integrating landscape restoration into higher education and strengthening institutional collaboration across Asian countries, including engagement through FORSU online platforms.

The FORSU Project Coordinator, Dipjoy Chakma from the University of Helsinki, presented the key results, major achievements, and future directions for sustained institutional collaboration.

Following the presentations, an open discussion session was held and moderated by Professor Dr. Roderic from the University of Freiburg. Professor Ha, Professor Dr. Atiar Rahman, Dr. Nikhil Chakma, and Saddam Hossen actively participated in the discussion, sharing insights on FORSU activities and the sustainability of ongoing institutional collaboration and research initiatives.

The Honorable Rector, Professor Dr. Nguyen Hung Quang from TUAF, concluded the second day of the workshop by thanking all participants for their fruitful discussions and highlighting opportunities for future collaboration.

After the 2nd day sessions, participants visited the world-renowned Ba Be Lake on 1 April 2026 where they observed scenic natural beauty and ongoing restoration activities in surrounding landscapes.

The FORSU project is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and is scheduled to conclude in May 2026.

FORSU CLOSING WORKSHOP LAUNCHED AT TUAF, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam

The three-year FORSU project closing workshop was inaugurated at Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF), Vietnam on 30 March 2026, with the participation of all project partners from Bangladesh, Finland, Germany, and Vietnam. The participating institutions included Rangamati Science and Technology University (RMSTU), Patuakhali Science and Technology University, University of Freiburg, University of Helsinki, Hue University, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry and Tay Nguyen University.

A total of 35 participants (23 male and 12 female) attended the workshop inauguration. Professor Ha from the host university warmly welcomed all participants and provided an overview of the workshop activities followed by introduction of the participants.
Subsequently, the FORSU Project Coordinator, Dipjoy Chakma from the University of Helsinki, Finland, outlined the agenda for the morning session and divided participants into two groups to prepare the project completion report. The University of Freiburg facilitated the Bangladeshi partners, while the University of Helsinki supported the Vietnamese partners in preparing their reports and reviewing key achievements in line with the project results framework. Following the group work, Professor Edward Webb from the Project Management Team at the University of Helsinki presented the FORSU results framework and discussed the timeline for submitting the final project report by April 2026.

As part of the workshop activities, participants visited the Thai Nguyen Climate Learning Center, where they observed various climate-resilient initiatives, including forest restoration, bamboo plantation, medicinal plants and home garden development. The participants also visited a man-made lake and resort known as Flamingo for sightseeing, and organic tea garden. The field tour concluded with a visit to the world-renowned tourism village at Thai Hai Village. Honorable Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman from RMSTU and Honorable Rector Nguyen Hung Quang from TUAF also attended the closing inauguration event. The closing event will end on 1 April 2026.

🌿 TRAINING WORKSHOP ON SKILLS FOR IDENTIFYING RESTORATION AREAS, FOREST MONITORING,
AND TRACING FOREST CHANGE HISTORY 🌿

📅 From 7–10 January 2026, Tay Nguyen University organized a training workshop on skills for identifying restoration areas, forest monitoring, and tracing forest change history within the framework of the FORSU – Erasmus+ Project (Higher Education Cooperation for Forest Landscape Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods in Bangladesh and Vietnam).

🎯 The main objective of the training workshop was to enhance knowledge and practical skills for lecturers, students, and relevant stakeholders in:

Identifying and zoning priority areas for forest restoration 🌱

Monitoring current forest conditions and detecting forest changes over time 🌍

Applying GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data in sustainable forest management and restoration

📚 The training program was designed as a combination of theory and practice, including thematic presentations, group discussions, analysis of real-world case studies, and hands-on computer-based exercises, enabling participants to effectively apply the acquired knowledge to learning, research, and professional practice.

👩‍🏫👨‍🎓 The workshop attracted the active participation of lecturers and students from Tay Nguyen University, as well as postgraduate students and technical staff interested in forestry, forest landscape restoration, and natural resource management.

✨ The activity not only contributed to strengthening participants’ capacities but also played an important role in promoting the application of digital technologies in forest restoration and monitoring, towards sustainable forest management and long-term livelihood development for local communities.

🌏 This workshop is one of the practical and meaningful activities of the FORSU – Erasmus+ Project, contributing to enhanced international cooperation and improved quality of education and research in forestry and environmental fields in Vietnam.

📢 TRAINING ON THE EUDR – READY FOR SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAINS 🌱🌍
Within the framework of the FORSU Project – Erasmus+, Tay Nguyen University organized a training workshop on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) under WP4: Development of Transversal Skills.
🎯 Key objectives
• Update core knowledge on the EUDR and compliance requirements
• Strengthen capacity for traceability and supply chain transparency
• Introduce the role of digital technologies, GIS, and remote sensing in supporting EUDR implementation.

👥 Participants
Students, lecturers, and stakeholders in the agriculture and forestry sectors engaged in discussions and practical case studies, with a particular focus on affected sectors such as coffee, timber, and rubber.

✅ Key outcomes
• A clear understanding of the background, scope, and requirements of the EUDR
• Identification of risks and opportunities when accessing the European Union market
• Enhanced skills in applying digital tools for sustainable management.
The activity received highly positive feedback and was evaluated as practical, timely, and closely aligned with real-world needs.

💚 Sincere thanks to all participants for their enthusiastic engagement and to the organizing team for their close coordination!
💙 Our sincere thanks are extended to the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union for its continued support and commitment to strengthening higher education and sustainable development initiatives.

Forest Monitoring Using Drone Technology Training Workshop Held at RMSTU Under the FORSU Project

A three-day (8-10 December 2025) training workshop on Forest Monitoring Using Drone Technology was held at Rangamati Science and Technology University (RMSTU) under the Erasmus+ FORSU project. The main objective of the training was to build the technical capacity of teachers and students in forest monitoring using advanced drone technologies.

The Honorable Vice-Chancellor of RMSTU, Professor Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman, attended the opening and closing session as the Chief Guest. He highlighted the importance of forests in terms of biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable management. He also emphasized the value of modern technologies such as drones for effective forest monitoring and informed decision-making.

Mr. Dipjoy Chakma, Coordinator of the FORSU project from the University of Helsinki, Finland, also attended the event and discussed the ongoing activities and progress of the FORSU project. He expressed his gratitude to the authorities of RMSTU and PSTU for their effective implementation of the FORSU project activities in Bangladesh.

A total of 45 participants (30 male and 15 female) attended the training sessions, including 35 participants from RMSTU and 9 participants from Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU).

Participants received in-depth knowledge on forest assessment and monitoring using advanced technologies, including drone-based image acquisition, image processing, data analysis, and interpretation. Dr. Md. Farhadur Rahaman, Assistant Professor, Department of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Gazipur Agricultural University, Dhaka, served as the Resource Person for the training.

Several distinguished faculty members and officials attended the workshop, including Associate Professor and Dean Dr. Mohammad Rahim Uddin, Associate Professor and Registrar (In-Charge) Mohammad Jonaed Kabir, Dr. Suprio Chakma, Project Manager of the FORSU project (RMSTU component), Dr. Nikhil Chakma, Saptarshi Chakma, Saddam Hossen, and Rish*ta Chakma from RMSTU. From PSTU, Professor Dr. Alamgir Kabir, Manager of the FORSU project (PSTU component), and Mr. Md. Ariful Rahman, Assistant Professor, a faculty member of PSTU, participated alongside 23 students from RMSTU and 7 students from PSTU.

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, RMSTU, hosted the training workshop, which was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

👉Short Capacity-Building Training Course for Lecturers and Students in Vietnam Partner Universities Under the FORSU Project.
🌳On September 27, 2025, the FORSU Project Management Board at Hue University successfully organized an online training course on “Scientific writing, article structure, and reporting” for lecturers, researchers, and students from Vietnam partner universities under Activity 2, Work Package 4 of the FORSU Project (Higher Education Cooperation for Forest Landscape Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods in Bangladesh and Vietnam – FORSU), funded by ERASMUS+.
☘️The objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of young lecturers, researchers, and students at Hue University, Tay Nguyen University, and Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry in scientific writing and academic publishing.
✍️A total of 33 participants including six project members, six young lecturers, six PhD candidates, six master’s students, and nine undergraduates successfully completed the course. The training provided participants with essential knowledge on scientific publishing at Hue University in comparison with other Vietnamese universities, classification of domestic and international journals, methods for searching journal rankings (Q, IF, etc.), and approaches to scientific article writing. In addition to theoretical sessions, participants engaged in interactive activities to promote knowledge sharing and innovative approaches to scientific writing.
🥰🥰This activity is part of the Vietnamese partner universities’ efforts to build capacity among lecturers, researchers, and students to meet international publication standards. It also directly contributes to the FORSU Project’s broader objective of strengthening higher education cooperation to support forest landscape restoration and sustainable livelihoods in Bangladesh and Vietnam.

🌳🌳Short Capacity-Building Training Course for lecturers in Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Vietnam, under the FORSU project.
👉On September 21, 2025 the FORSU Project Management Board at Hue University successfully organized one short training course on “Introducing the MOODLE (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) - an online learning management system and the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)” for lecturers in University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Vietnam under the Activity 1 of Work Package 5 of the FORSU project funded by ERASMUS+.
🍀🍀A total of 21 participants (18 women and 3 men) came from 07 faculties of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University successfully completed the course, and were awarded certificates. The course provided participants with essential knowledge and practical skills in the development and implementation of MOOCs on the Moodle platform, thereby enhancing their capacity for digital teaching and learning. During the training, participants engaged in theoretical sessions and interactive activities to promote knowledge sharing and innovative approaches to online education. During the practical session, participants actively designed their own MOOC courses using basic tools and functions, integrated interactive elements with the H5P plugin (e.g., image hotspots, interactive videos, and image juxtaposition), and developed quizzes for learner assessment.
🌱🌱🌱This activity is an integral part of Hue University’s efforts to foster digital transformation and capacity building in line with international standards. It also directly contributes to the objectives of the FORSU project, which aims to strengthen higher education cooperation to promote forest landscape restoration and sustainable livelihoods in Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Hill Forest Restoration and Awareness Event organized by RMSTU under FORSU project

On 20 September 2025, a Hill Forest Restoration and Awareness event was organized at Raiyna Tugun, Rangamati Sadar, Rangamati, by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Rangamati Science and Technology University (RMSTU), under the FORSU project. A total of 88 participants attended the event, including 3 faculty members and 85 students.

The event raised awareness about deforestation and forest degradation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and their impact on community livelihoods. In addition, the importance of forest landscape restoration education and hill forest restoration was highlighted as key to ensuring sustainable livelihoods and environmental integrity. Further, different indigenous tree species also planted in the hill forest area to mark the event.

Students also received hands-on training in the use of GPS for forest inventory plots, location tracking, tree measurement, and the use of drones for forest assessment. The logistics and equipment used for forest assessments and forest restoration were supported by the FORSU project through funding from the ERASMUS+European Union.

🌱 TAY NGUYEN UNIVERSITY IMPLEMENTS FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES UNDER THE FORSU – ERASMUS+ PROJECT 🌱

At Tay Nguyen University, we are proud to be one of the Vietnamese partners participating in the FORSU project (Higher Education Cooperation for Forest Landscape Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods in Bangladesh and Vietnam), an international initiative under the Erasmus+ program funded by the European Union.

This project focuses on forest landscape restoration, nature conservation, and sustainable livelihood development, with active participation from local communities and international partners.

🌳 Plant Today, Protect the Future 🌳

With the motto "Plant Today, Protect Tomorrow" we have carried out forest landscape restoration activities in key forest areas of the Central Highlands:

Ho Lak Historical, Cultural, and Environmental Forest Management Board (Dak Lak Province)

Bu Nđơr Community Forest Management Board (Dak Buk So Commune, Lam D**g Province)

We have planted rare indigenous tree species such as Giáng Hương (Pterocarpus macrocarpus), Sao Đen (Hopea odorata), Dầu Rái (Dipterocarpus alatus), Cẩm Lai (Dalbergia oliveri), Lát Hoa (Chukrasia tabularis), Bằng Lăng (Largerstroemia sp.), and Dổi (Michelia tonkinensis), carefully selected for their ecological value and long-term benefits for the local community in terms of timber, non-timber forest products, and landscape value.

🌍 Education and Action: Connecting the Community, Spreading Awareness of Forest Protection 🌍

We believe that education is key to driving change. This project not only restores forests but also raises community awareness about the critical role of forests in our lives.

The program has attracted active participation from a variety of groups: local communities, forestry staff, lecturers, students, and even children. Together, we are working to protect natural resources and build a green, sustainable future.

📸 Some images from the forest planting activities at Hồ Lắk and Bu Nđơr 📸