MSc European Forestry Secretariat | University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences | Master of Science in European Forestry

MSc European Forestry Secretariat | University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences | http://gis.joensuu.fi/mscef

Master of Science in European Forestry

A 2-year Erasmus Mundus Master Course

Dec 05, 08Paavo Pelkonen, University of Joensuu, Finland


MSc European Forestry

One of the first 19 Master courses started under the Erasmus Mundus programme in 2004

A 2-year (120 ECTS) double-degree Master Course

109 students from 40 countries

Mission statement: To provide academic education in forestry focusing on the international forest resource management and utilisation, supported by a sound understanding of the ecological conditions and their dynamics in Europe.


MSc EF Consortium

MSc EF is co-organized by the following 6 European universities:

University of Freiburg, Germany

University of Natural Resources and Applied Life

Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria

University of Lleida, Spain

University of Joensuu, Finland (Co-ordination)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden

Wageningen University, The Netherlands

In partnership with 3 non-European universities:

University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Federal University of Parana, Brazil Northwest A&F University, China


MSc EF Courses mobility Map

Welcome, Orientation and intercultural workshop , Finland

Trends in European Forestry, (5 Weeks), Sweden

Applied Period (10-12 weeks)

Austria or Finland or France or Germany or Spain or Sweden or The Netherlands (for Non-European)

South Africa or China or Brazil (for European)

Compulsory and Elective Courses (12 weeks)

FinlandEuropean Forestry Field Course (5 weeks)

Spain, France, Germany, the NetherlandsMountain Forestry (2 weeks)

Austria

Second year study

-Specializing-Thesis

Either whole year in

Austria or

Germany or

The Netherlands or

Spain or

Sweden or

Sweden + Finland or

Sweden + Spain or

Spain + Finland


Admission requirements, application and selection

Bachelor degree in forestry, nature management or related sciencesFluent level of English (TOEFL 213, IELTS 6.0, or equivalent)Applicant’s international experienceWork experience Motivation and recommendation letters

•Application deadline is 31st of December, to start the studies at the beginning of the following September. Application must be sent in electronic & paper forms.

• Selection process during January-February, jointly done by the Partner Universities.


Scholarships

20 to 24 Erasmus Mundus scholarships of 2-years (for non-Europeans only); total 42, 000 EUR scholarship for each selected student, 16,000 EUR tuition fees, and a free comprehensive health insurance.

3 month scholarship for European students to carry out part of their MSc EF studies at the University of KwaZulu Natal (South Africa), Federal University of Parana (Brazil) or NorthWest A&F University (China); maximum 3,100 EUR for 3 months; and health insurance.


UniversitiesUniversity of Joensuu (Finland), Lakehead University (Canada), University of New Brunswick (Canada), BOKU (Austria), Shanghai University (China)

Agencies and governmental bodiesThai Research Fund (Bangkok, Thailand), Ministry of Forestry (Jordan), Ministry of Forestry (Indonesia)

CompaniesSutherland Seedlings (South Africa), Arbonaut (Joensuu, Finland), Mondi Business Paper (South Africa)

Internationally active environmental organizations Wetlands International (China), Climate Bridge Ltd. (China), CIFOR (Cameroon), The Nature Conservancy (Indonesia)

*information on the employability of our graduates is available on our webpage

Employability of MSc EF graduates


Other highlights

Increase in number of applicants: 40 in 2004, 53 in 2005, 150 in 2006, 230 in 2007 and 250 in 2008

Extensive marketing in the last years

Students coming from universties as well as from international forest companies and other organizations

MSc EF Scholar programme - 21 scholars!

External evaluation of the MSc EF by ICA (Association for European Life Science Universities)

Strong inter-cultural aspect


Countries with MSc EF students

Country # Students India 11China 10Nepal 10Bangladesh 8Indonesia 7Spain 6Germany 5Russia 5Brazil 4Ethiopia 4Thailand 3Cameroon 2Lebanon 2Nigeria 2Pakistan 2South Africa 2Tanzania 2Uganda 2Australia 1Cambodia 1Canadia 1Colombia 1Costa Rica 1Estonia 1Finland 1France 1Guyana 1Hong Kong 1Jordan 1Malaysia 1Mauritania 1Morocco 1Myanmar 1Nicaragua 1Peru 1Poland 1Serbia 1Taiwan 1Netherlands 1Venezuela 1

Total = 109

MSc EF Students from 2004 to 2008


Proportion of Students in MScEF (2004-2008)

L. America9 %

N. America1 %

Africa15 %Europe

19 %

Asia55 %

Australia1 %


Student mobility Sharing forestry experiences Synergic learning i.e. technology, culture, values, norms Global perspectives but European dimensions Opportunities for students to be familiar with Europe and Africa, Asia and Latin-

America Greater exposure to different forest management systems in Africa, Asia and Latin-

America Opportunity for practical learning Message on sustainable forestry and development Increase in skilled forestry professionals and employability Networking among the students, professionals and universities Increase in dialogue competences and ethical code of conduct Social innovation platform

Learnings/Opportunities


Infrastructure s and facilities Forestry courses for European students Possibilities for European students to write thesis Cultural value or cultural shock ! Recognition of MScEF courses Differences in rules and regulation for Education Different evaluation and grading system Variations in degree awarding system Poor participation of women

Challenges


MScEF course is very instructive and really a valuable study programme versatile experiences from EU countries and familiar with foreign cultures gave a wider knowledge and skills about the forestry in European dimension huge opportunities in Europe to upgrade knowledge, skills and competences. scientific information, job opportunities, improved English language. multidisciplinary course which gives higher view and knowledge based on need fulfilled the desire of starting the MScEF. increase ability to analyze issues in international context and further open up career understand the European dimension of forest resource management truly amazing, gained a lot of knowledge, met new faces & culture from the world travel and study in Europe whilst learning the European way of life. great to learn European cultures, language, traditions as well as forestry. broadened professional and academic horizon which is essential for today's world! challenging courses with higher academic records.

Students’ views on MScEF1

1MSc European Forestry: Alumni survey 2008-11-07


0 % 20 % 40 % 60 % 80 % 100 %

Report writing

Oral presentation skills

Critical analysis

Problem solving

Working independently

Team work

Innovativeness

Career plan and opportunity

Local languages

Cultural aspects

Insufficiently rather insufficiently Neither.. nor .. Rather sufficiently Sufficiently

MScEF in students’ perceptions1

1MSc European Forestry: Alumni survey 2008-11-07


MSc European Forestry SecretariatMSc European Forestry SecretariatFaculty of Forest Sciences Faculty of Forest Sciences

University of Joensuu University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 80101 Joensuu FinlandP.O. Box 111 80101 Joensuu Finland

[email protected]://www.joensuu.fi/metsatdk/mscefhttp://www.joensuu.fi/metsatdk/mscef//

Programme CoordinatorProgramme CoordinatorProf. Paavo Pelkonen, Vice-deanProf. Paavo Pelkonen, Vice-dean

Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of JoensuuFaculty of Forest Sciences, University of Joensuupaavo.pelkonen (at) joensuu.fipaavo.pelkonen (at) joensuu.fi

Contact

Planning Officer

Dr. Marjoriitta Möttönen

marjoriitta.mottonen (at) joensuu.fi

Project Coordintor

Mr. Surya Bahadur Magar

surya.magar (at) joensuu.fi

Project Coordintor

Mr. Pradipta Halder

pradipta.halder (at) joensuu.fi

Documents

MSc European Forestry Secretariat | University of Joensuu, Faculty of Forest Sciences | Master of Science in European Forestry