Launched in 2010, the APFNet Scholarship Program (ASP) is an important component of APFNet’s efforts to develop capable forestry practitioners by investing in education and the development of human resources in the Asia-Pacific region.
 
Following an evaluation in 2020 to assess the effectiveness of the program and develop recommendations for further improvement, consultant Professor Wil de Jong shared key findings with APFNet stakeholders on 5 March 2021. The review assessed program application, subjects and quality of teaching, faculty support, off-campus activities and students’ post-scholarship careers.
 
The achievements and impacts of the program were shown to be positive. Data and statistics collected during the evaluation indicate that ASP provides a great opportunity for further education in the Asia-Pacific region and strongly contributes to forestry talent development in APFNet member economies. 
 

Professor Wil de Jong presents ASP evaluation key findings
 

The evaluation also made recommendations on refining curricula settings, increasing support from universities, and improving the program’s communication, organization and monitoring activities. Follow-up actions will be taken by APFNet, in collaboration with partner universities, to improve the operations of ASP based on the findings of the review and to respond to future opportunities and challenges.
 
ASP supports capable forestry officials and young professionals in the Asia-Pacific region to pursue higher academic degrees in forestry. Three leading universities in China, Beijing Forestry University, Nanjing Forestry University and Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand host scholarship students, providing Masters and PhD programs in forestry for more than 160 experienced professionals from 20 economies across the region.
 
The programme is open to applicants with relevant professional experience from APFNet member economies who are pursuing higher education in forest science, forestry economics and management, environmental engineering, forest protection, soil and water conservation and desertification control.