GLENVILLE W.Va. (WVDN) – The Philippine Forestry Education Network (PFEN), Inc., a distinguished non-stock and non-profit organization comprising accredited forestry schools in the Philippines, proudly announced its inaugural International Conference this past Oct. 25-27, 2023. Themed “Engaging the Academe to Lead in the Revitalization of the Wood and Wood-based Industries for Economic Recovery,” the event took place at the University of Mindanao, Davao City.
Accredited by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), PFEN aims to initiate a transformative discourse on the role of academia in revitalizing the forest-based industries in the Philippines and addressing the challenges that hinder the growth of the wood and wood-based sectors.
The conference brought together experts, academics, and industry leaders with the goal of achieving the following objectives:
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Understanding Global Trends and Challenges: Explore insights from international leaders in sustaining forest-based industries, featuring perspectives from renowned countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada, Sweden, and Finland.
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Assessing the State of Forestry and Wood Industries: Examine the current state of forestry and the wood and wood-based industries in the Philippines. Evaluate existing policies, programs, and financing mechanisms from both governmental bodies (DENR, PWPA, NEDA, DOF, DTI) and non-governmental perspectives.
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Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: Facilitate the exchange of knowledge, information, research, expertise, and best practices among PFEN members. Encourage collaboration among various stakeholders, including small-scale tree farmers, large private plantation owners, and industrialists such as furniture makers, lumber manufacturers, and other wood-based producers.
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Roadmap for Collaboration: Develop a strategic roadmap for engaged collaboration among academia, industry players, and government agencies to reinvigorate and sustain the wood and wood-based industries in the Philippines.
Dr. Rico Gazal, the attending professor who presented, had this to say. “It is an honor for me to have been invited to this international conference and to share the department’s experiences in connecting with the wood industry and our commitment to fulfilling the program’s mission, which is to provide West Virginia and the entire United States with competent and skilled forest technology professionals.”
