In today's interconnected world, it’s hard to overestimate the importance of internationalisation, especially in areas where environmental challenges and solutions span countries and continents.
Internationalisation promotes cultural understanding and tolerance. When students and teachers from different backgrounds come together, they bring with them unique insights that promote a culture of exchange and cooperation. This diversity breaks down stereotypes and builds bridges, something which is necessary to develop a global mindset and address international forestry issues.
International cooperation in research and environmental assessment can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Access to a broader knowledge base means we can offer more comprehensive programmes, attract world-class talent and foster intellectual growth.
There is a strong interest among our students to participate in exchange programmes, and we continually work to maintain and create new exchange opportunities.
In addition to traditional exchanges, we have two new strategic partnerships. One is an agreement with Wageningen University, where students on the Bachelor's programme Forest & Landscape now can do their final year in the Netherlands and obtain a double degree. The other is an exchange programme (TRANSFOR-M) with three Canadian universities, where students on several of the faculty's Master's programmes can apply to do the second year of their studies in Canada. Here too, students are awarded two qualifications upon completion of their studies, one from SLU and one from the Canadian university.
Recently, we have also welcomed a group of students and their teachers from the University of British Columbia (UBC). The students spent a week at SLU as part of a field course organised by UBC. SLU hosted their visit and organised a programme of lectures, field teaching and study visits.
These are just a few examples of activities. Overall, there are a lot of internationalisation efforts and networking going on at the faculty. This is very important – if we’re going to build a more sustainable world, we have to do it together.
M Rosario García Gil, vice dean for internationalisation
Students from UBC spent a week at SLU as part of a field course arranged by their university. SLU hosted their visit and organised a programme of lectures, field teaching and study visits. Photo: Anna Morén.
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