Officials from the Faculty of Forest Science, the German government and the European Union on Monday visit a lecture room at the National University of Laos.

EU, Germany boost forestry education with modern IT equipment

The Faculty of Forest Science at the National University of Laos has received a significant boost to its technical capabilities with the donation of a comprehensive package of modern IT teaching equipment.
The equipment, valued at over 1.15 billion kip, was provided on Monday by representatives from the German government and the European Union.
The investment marks a critical improvement in forestry education in Laos, equipping the next generation of professionals with the tools needed to master modern environmental management and sustainable development.
The equipment was provided under the “Protection and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity” project, which is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Deputy Head of Division for Southeast Asia at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Ms Michaela Henning, highlighted the long-standing partnership between Laos and Germany.
“Our cooperation with Laos in forestry education spans decades. By investing in higher education, we empower the next generation to manage natural resources responsibly,” she said.
Ms Henning added that technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing are vital for monitoring forest cover and protecting biodiversity with precision.
“This equipment is a meaningful step in our ongoing partnership to prepare students to tackle real-world issues like illegal logging and sustainable forest management,” she said.
Ambassador of the European Union to Laos, Mark Gallagher, said the provision of the state-of-the-art IT equipment represents a shared commitment to the future of forestry education.
“By integrating digital tools like GIS and remote sensing, we are empowering the next generation of professionals to lead in sustainable forest management and environmental innovation,” the Ambassador said.
The Faculty of Forest Science serves as the primary academic institution for research and capacity building in the Lao forestry sector. Approximately 200 students and teachers are expected to benefit from the equipment upgrade.
As the sector evolves, students are increasingly required to master complex skills including GIS, remote sensing, data analysis, and advanced wood processing technology.
Until recently, limited access to up-to-date hardware constrained the faculty’s ability to teach these digital essentials.
The faculty is now equipped with modern digital infrastructure, including a dedicated GIS laboratory, specialised computing equipment, and lecture room tools such as projectors and monitors.
The Dean of the Faculty of Forest Science, Prof. Dr Sithong Thongmanivong, expressed his gratitude for the assistance, noting that it has strengthened the faculty’s capacity to teach and carry out research.
“These improvements would have been very difficult to achieve on our own, and we appreciate this continued partnership to meet international standards,” he said.
The upgrade aims to produce highly qualified graduates who can support the Lao government’s goals for a sustainable and legally governed forestry sector.
After the equipment was handed over, lecturers and students demonstrated the use of the new IT resources to the visiting delegation.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update January 14, 2026)