From spring 2012, students with a BSc in Forestry or related disciplines will be able to take a double Master’s degree in Life Sciences and International Management of Forest Industries.

The changing landscape surrounding the forests

Globally, forests have considerably gained in attention over the past decade in all forest biomes of the world, boreal, temperate and tropical. for various reasons, including:

• the move towards globalisation and free trade agreements;
• the role of forests in various new global, regional and national economic policies and development strategies, such as the green economy and low-carbon economies;
• the important function of forests as carbon sinks in general and in the negotiated climate change strategies of the global community;
• the (rediscovered) role of forests as sources for renewable energy, buildings, etc.

Many of the economic, ecological and socio-political challenges associated with the use of forest land and forest resources need to be tackled from an interdisciplinary angle, as well as from a wider regional and global position.  Nonetheless, national and local perspectives remain of primary importance for managing forests. Thus, harmonising sectoral, inter-sectoral and geographical scale will be essential for the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s forests.

 
A double Master's degree across borders

Qualified people who are skilled and well prepared to face such challenges are much in demand. This has been recognised by HAFL  and Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT).  Students with a BSc in Forestry or related discipline registered for the MSc in Life Sciences programme specialising in Applied Agricultural and Forestry Sciences at HAFL can also obtain an MSc in International Management of Forest Industries at the Faculty of Forestry of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) in Germany.

 
Organisation of the programme

The new field of study in International Forestry lasts three semesters for full-time students. Special arrangements will be made for those students who are studying part-time.

• The exchange between Weihenstephan/Munich and Zollikofen/Bern is organised through the Erasmus Programme, which guarantees mutual recognition of the credits gained at each institution.
• The spring semester, between March and July, takes place in Weihenstephan; the autumn semester in Zollikofen starts in mid-August and ends in January.
• Individual study plans for each student ensure flexibility in the organisation of the study programme and tailor-made specialisation. For full-time students doing the exchange semester in Weihenstephan, 30 ECTS credits will be recognised (under the Erasmus scheme); the specialisation semester in Zollikofen  involves a further 30 ECTS credits; and the semester reserved for the Master’s thesis and individual specialisation also involves 30 ECTS credits.

Contents

The programme covers modules in technical and entrepreneurial basics along with modules in the specialisation.

At HAFL, students will work

• on mechanisms and approaches applied in international forestry and forest-based industries
• in integrated resources and environmental management

The emphasis is on emerging issues, such as

• sustainable production
• trade and use of timber and other forest products
• bioenergy
• environmental services of forests
• the role of forests in climate change

At the HSWT, the focus is on developing core competencies in forest enterprise management, such as

• forest economics
• financial management and international law
• understanding different cultures and their relationships to forestry

Close cooperation with relevant actors

The programme in International Forestry will be organised in close cooperation with associates from the private sector and civil society who are active players in the international forest development context. Direct contact with knowledgeable people from professional organisations and academia will be established in the specialisation modules, through seminars, case studies, visits, roundtables and group work.

Gaining competencies and creating interesting career opportunities

Over the last few years, it has become obvious that the labour market in general is in need of young graduates who have trained specifically in the field of international forestry and forest and wood industries. 
  
Graduates of the major in International Forestry will gain the necessary know-how to tackle the complex questions of international forest management, forest industry development and trade in forest products. They are best prepared for specialised positions in international organisations and management positions in private sector organisations, and also internationally-oriented civil society organisations. Of particular relevance are the following professional fields:

• management positions in international forest organisations and enterprises
• forestry specialists (national and international) in public administrations
• forest and management advisors in international organisations (multilateral, bilateral, environmental organisations)
• managers in wood industry enterprises
• specialised staff in international consulting firms
• academics in forest-based research and development. 

Double Master's degree in Life Sciences and International Management of Forest Industries

Study semester in Weihenstephan, Munich

The spring semester in Germany focuses on deepening forest enterprise management. The modules, given in German and partly in English, relate to economic and financial planning and management, cost-benefit analysis, enterprise valuation, controlling, economic laws and information technology.  Also, a cross-cutting module is offered to develop intercultural competences and English language skills.

Study semester in Zollikofen, Bern

In the autumn semester in Switzerland, all classes are in English.  Included modules are: leadership; logistics of enterprise management; supply chain and network management; markets and trade, international forestry; forest enterprise management; knowledge management; and integrated resources and environmental management.

The major can be started in spring and in autumn each year.

Master's thesis in the third semester

Students registered at HAFL will undertake their work for the Master’s thesis after the two study semesters. The subjects will be jointly defined by the lecturers, partner organisations and students, but must relate to international forestry in the wider sense. Students are encouraged to conduct their field work abroad.