Solan
Nauni/Dehradun: In a significant step towards strengthening forestry education and research in India, a high-level delegation from Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, led by Vice Chancellor Dr HS. Baweja, visited the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun to explore avenues for a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and long-term collaboration in teaching, research, extension education and industry engagement.
The delegation held extensive discussions with scientists and experts from various departments of FRI, focusing on opportunities for joint initiatives that could benefit forestry education, research and outreach activities across the country.
The UHF delegation included Dr. Devina Vaidya, Director of Research; Dr CL Thakur, Dean, College of Forestry; Dr. Anil Handa, Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology; Dr. BS Dilta, Professor and Head, Department of Floriculture; Dr. Vishal Rana, Joint Director of Research; and Dr. Rohit Vashisht, Head, Department of Silviculture and Forestry. From FRI, Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Dean (Academics); DP Khali, Group Coordinator (Research); Dr. Ajay Thakur, Scientist-G, FRI; and the heads of various divisions participated in the meeting.
Discussions between the two institutions focused on developing collaborative academic and research programs. Key areas identified for cooperation include curriculum development, faculty exchange, student mobility programs and joint research projects addressing critical forestry challenges such as biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient silviculture, carbon sequestration, agroforestry systems, invasive species management, non-timber forest products and forest genetic resources.
Both institutions also expressed interest in strengthening extension education and community outreach activities to ensure that scientific advancements reach stakeholders at the grassroots level. Collaboration with forest-based industries, start-ups, and policy-making bodies was also identified as an important area for future engagement.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. HS Baweja, Vice Chancellor, UHF Nauni, said, “This visit to FRI Dehradun marks an important milestone for both institutions. By combining our strengths in education, research and extension, we can create new opportunities for innovation in forest science and contribute meaningfully to sustainable forest management and climate resilience.”
Dr. Devina Vaidya also highlighted the potential benefits of the partnership and said that the collaboration will help strengthen research capacity, facilitate knowledge exchange, attract high-impact projects and support the development of practical solutions for the forestry sector and rural communities.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both institutions expressing a strong commitment to formalizing the proposed MoU in the near future. The partnership is expected to provide a framework for collaborative research, academic excellence, capacity building and technology transfer in forestry and allied sciences. With decades of expertise and a shared vision for sustainable development, UHF Nauni and FRI Dehradun aim to advance forest science, nurture future forestry professionals, contribute to India’s goals of environmental conservation, climate resilience, and green growth. The proposed collaboration is expected to benefit not only the two institutions but also the broader forestry sector by strengthening India’s position in national and international forestry research networks.
