Viikki Tropical Resources Institute (VITRI)

VITRI were pleased to host three staff members from Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam, from 20 April to 3 May 2026 at the Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki.

The visit was organized under the Team Finland Knowledge (TFK) programme funded project "Finland–Vietnam Higher Education Collaboration on Circular Economy for Sustainability (FIVI-CES)", coordinated by VITRI at the University of Helsinki.

The programme included lectures, discussions, and hands-on working sessions on curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and assessment approaches. It also featured expert contributions on climate change and rural livelihoods, along with insights into sustainability practices in Finland.

This exchange represents an important step in strengthening long-term academic collaboration and advancing sustainability-focused education between partner institutions. We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership.
- Helsingin yliopisto

🌿 Erasmus+ FORSU Project Training Workshop at Hue University, Vietnam

VITRI, MMTDK - Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki coordinated a week-long training workshop on “Competence-orientation in curriculum development and teaching: Designing a case-study based teaching module”, held at Hue University, Vietnam from 6-10 October 2025.

The workshop was conducted by experienced trainers from the University of Freiburg, Germany, and combined both theoretical sessions and field based practical learning, including data collection from real case study areas.

Participants from partner universities in Bangladesh and Vietnam actively engaged in designing and developing case-based teaching modules aimed at enhancing competence-oriented higher education and promoting sustainable forest landscape restoration.

🌱 A big thanks to all the trainers, organizers, and participants for making this a meaningful and inspiring learning experience under the Erasmus+ FORSU project!

We are excited to share that the kick-off meeting of the "Finland-Vietnam Higher Education Collaboration on Circular Economy for Sustainability (FIVI-CES)" project was successfully held on 4th October, 2025 at Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF), Vietnam.

The meeting brought together project team members including Dipjoy Chakma from the University of Helsinki, and Nguyen Thi Giang, Nguyen Thi B**h Ngoc, and Duong Hoai An from TUAF.

During the meeting, the team discussed project activities, implementation plans, and other key issues related to strengthening the collaboration.

The FIVI-CES project is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education under the Team Finland Knowledge Programme. We look forward to sharing more updates as the project progresses!

Erasmus+ Staff Exchange at VITRI, Dept. of Forest Sciences, MMTDK - Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki

From 8 to 12 September 2025, VITRI, Dept. of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki had the pleasure of hosting two academic staff members from our partner institution, Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF), as part of the Erasmus+ staff exchange programme.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and share experiences in teaching and research. We look forward to continuing our partnership and building new opportunities together! 🤝✨

We kicked off the Team Finland Knowledge (TFK) programme funded project “Vulnerability Assessments for Climate Change Adaptation of Socioecological Systems in the Andes” with our partner Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE).

Led by VITRI, University of Helsinki (UH), the project aims to strengthen climate change education through the development of a high-quality, open-access virtual course on vulnerability assessment methods, enriched with real-world case studies from the Andes. It also includes staff and student mobility to foster deeper academic cooperation between UH and UCE.

The inaugural meeting was attended by Edward Webb and Dipjoy Chakma from VITRI, UH and Raul Cordova from UCE. Looking forward to fruitful collaboration ahead!

Funding Success for VITRI in the 2025 Team Finland Knowledge programme !

We’re excited to share that VITRI, Dept. of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, has received funding for two international higher education collaboration projects under the Team Finland Knowledge (TFK) programme! A heartfelt thanks to all our partners and colleagues who contributed to these successful proposals.

1. Finland–Vietnam Higher Education Collaboration on Circular Economy for Sustainability
📍 Partner: Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam

2. Vulnerability Assessments for Climate Change Adaptation of Socioecological Systems in the Andes
📍 Partner: Central University of Ecuador

These projects aim to strengthen higher education cooperation and tackle pressing global challenges like climate change and sustainability. 🌱🌏

# University of Helsinki

VITRI, Dept. of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki in collaboration with Souphanouvong University, Laos, organized a field course on "Tropical Forests and Agroforests" from January 6 to 20, 2025, in Luang Prabang, Laos.

The primary learning objective of the course was to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and analyze key issues related to tropical forest management and land use policies. Additionally, the course aimed to enhance participants’ ability to apply fundamental ecological and socio-economic field research methodologies within a specific geographic and cultural context.

Throughout the course, students gained hands-on experience in various field research techniques, including: Tree measurement methods, Home garden survey methods, Focus group discussions, Household interviews, and Key informant interviews. By applying these methods in real-world settings, students gained a deeper understanding of how nature is intricately connected to rural livelihoods in Laos. They observed first hand how forests and agroforestry systems support local communities by providing essential resources such as food, medicine, and income, while also playing a crucial role in cultural traditions and environmental sustainability.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Vongpasith Chanthakhoun, Vice-President of Souphanouvong University, along with academic staff members Dr. Bounxian Phetlumphun, Dr. Pone Salimath, and Mr. Khamko Thammavong, as well as students Ms. Tatib Inhtavong and Ms. Phatthana Latsamy, for their warm support and invaluable contributions. Their dedication and cooperation were instrumental in the successful organization of the field course in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our funders, the Department of Forest Sciences at the University of Helsinki and Metsämiesten Säätiö, for their generous support. Their funding and commitment have been instrumental in making this field course possible, enabling valuable academic collaboration and hands-on learning experiences in Luang Prabang, Laos.
of Helsinki # MMTDK - Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

The Viikki Tropical Resources Institute (VITRI), part of the Department of Forest Sciences at the University of Helsinki, in collaboration with Souphanouvong University, Laos, is organizing a field course on Tropical Forests and Agroforests in Nambak district, Luang Prabang, Laos, from January 6–20, 2025.

The course participants include 10 students from the University of Helsinki and 5 participants (3 academic staff and 2 students) from Souphanouvong University. The course is led by Edward Webb (Professor and Director of VITRI), with support from Markku Kanninen (Prof. Emeritus), Eshetu Yirdaw (Senior University Lecturer), and Dipjoy Chakma (Project planner) from the Department of Forest Sciences.

This course is funded by the Department of Forest Sciences at the University of Helsinki and Metsämiesten Säätiö.

VITRI, the Viikki Tropical Resources Institute at the University of Helsinki, is one of three Finnish partners, which together with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) co-fund and engage with the Zambia for Agroforestry, Biodiversity and Climate Action (Z4ABC) project by providing capacity-building support as well as knowledge, data and skills sharing. As part of the project, CIFOR-ICRAF in Zambia hosted a two-day workshop in Petauke, Eastern Zambia.

Markku Kanninen- VITRI, Emeritus Professor at the University of Helsinki, acted as the trainer at the workshop event. Participants included NGOs, local farmer organizations, district government ministries, chief representatives and private sector actors. The workshop focused on strategizing solutions to more sustainable land use and debating biodiversity and carbon emission implications.

The Z4ABC project is an EU-funded development project focusing on sustainable change of food systems and agriculture. The project`s main objective is to strengthen the Lower Zambezi-Luangwa-Nyika corridor`s climate resilience, sustainability, biodiversity and livelihood protection and food systems.

To read more about the project and its partners: https://www.cifor-icraf.org/z4abc/

For more information on the workshop:
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=455252320845875&id=100090833330758&mibextid=qi2Omg&rdid=4pslybKFXIRmlqV5

On August 26, 2024, VITRI, University of Helsinki hosted a delegation from Thailand's Kasetsart University, led by Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat. During the discussions, VITRI, the University of Helsinki, and Kasetsart University explored potential future collaborations in research and capacity building.