A Perspective of the Students of Higher Forestry Education

Higher forestry education has an important role to play in the future of the world's forests. The future decision makers, the students of today, will need to possess adequate skills to be able to meet the future challenges. Forests are significant to the well being of society, and therefore the foresters need to be able to serve the needs of society. The forestry curriculum in many universities is based on the traditional, forestry-related subjects. Without undermining the importance of teaching these basic elements of forestry, the content of the forestry curricula must be reconsidered. The perspective painted by the current forestry education is often narrow and outdated. The true importance of forests and forestry in the wider context is not necessarily well recognised. Sufficient working tools are required to meet the challenges of professional working life. Besides a good knowledge base of forestry, various complementary skills are needed. Good communication and language skills, along with technical knowledge, are the basic requirements in all professions. Higher forestry education needs to meet the new challenges of the changing world of forestry. It is possible either to adapt to the change or to become part of it. Universities wishing to play a role in redefining the role of foresters need to radically change their ways of working. The key issues to improve the representation of the universities are: Participation: Due to the lack of representation of higher education in the national and international discussion, higher forestry education is often omitted from discussion into the future of the forestry sector. Communication: Improved communication should be emphasised in both external co-operation and internal interactions of the universities. Partnership: Competently functioning partnerships between the universities and other stakeholders in the forestry sector ensure not only a free and vigorous exchange of information, but also highlight the importance of education in the forestry sector.