Suncheon National University Forestry Technology Specialized Education Center Begins Training Program for Future Forestry Leaders

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The ‘2020 Suncheon National University Forestry Technology Specialized Education Center Orientation’ was held on the 13th at the Suncheon National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Building.

The event was held with strict adherence to COVID-19 prevention guidelines, attended by Bae Chang-hyu, Dean of the Graduate School of Life Sciences at Suncheon National University, and Gu Gil-bon, President of the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute.

Led by Professor Jo Gye-jung of Suncheon National University, the Forestry Technology Specialized Education Center at Suncheon National University is the only institution in Gwangju and Jeonnam dedicated to training forestry successors. It is a popular essential education course for those planning forestry as a career after retirement, for those cultivating forestry and forest products, or for those returning to rural areas.

Although over 300 applicants applied for this short-term income course for forestry successor training, considering the COVID-19 situation, only 100 were selected on a first-come, first-served basis to begin the course.

Bae Chang-hyu, Dean of the Graduate School of Life Sciences at Suncheon National University, introduced Suncheon National University by saying, “Suncheon National University started in 1935 as an agricultural school, and alumni related to forestry are active everywhere,” and added, “Our country, along with Germany and Japan, is a nation that has succeeded in global forest greening.” He encouraged the students by saying, “I hope you continue with the same spirit you started with until the end.”

Gu Gil-bon, President of the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, said in his congratulatory speech, “I am glad to meet future foresters dreaming of forestry and forests,” and added, “I hope a dreamland with a bluebird singing happiness will open for those who want to overcome the mountain called forestry.”

President Gu shared his special connection with Professor Jo Gye-jung and mentioned, “I played a guiding role when creating the Suncheonman National Garden, so I somewhat earned my keep in Suncheon,” explaining why he visited Suncheon on his day off. In the following special lecture, President Gu explained about forestry and foresters, forestry support policies, and the roles of the ‘Korea Forest Service’ and the ‘Korea Forestry Promotion Institute.’

Professor Jo Gye-jung said, “The Suncheon National University Forestry Technology Specialized Education Center started in 2012 when forestry successors were unfamiliar,” and noted that “Suncheon National University, Gyeongsang National University, and Chungbuk National University are the only universities offering this education.” His special lecture on the definition, terminology, types, functions, and culture of ‘forest’ received applause from the students.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.