FOPER – nova dimenzija visokoškolskog obrazovanja u šumarstvu SEE regiona
FOPER – a SEE Region's New Dimension of Higher Education in the Area of Forestry

Summary/Abstract: Southeastern European countries have a respectable tradition concerning the biological and technical aspects of higher education in the area of forestry. On the other hand, there is evident a lack of scientific and professional capacities in the field of forestry policy, economy, organization, management and legislation. That deficiency, as well as the need for professionals who would be willing to offer an adequate political and economic solutions, in relation to the changing demands of society towards the forest, has been recognized by the Government of Finland through the FOPER's project funding. The aim of this project is strengthening educational and research capacity in the area of forest policy and economics in the Western Balkans region. On the basis of this support, the FOPER project has been launched, and still going, - one of the most advanced projects cooperation in higher education and research in the Western Balkans. The FOPER Master program, in the sector of forest policy and economics is the only joint programme of education in the field of forestry in this part of Europe, which is entirely conducted in English, having there included the cutting edge scientific and technical knowledge in the sector of forest policy and economics, is in many ways a specific program studies. During their studding, students are gaining a completely new technical and scientific experience along with the application of innovative didactic approaches. The Master programme in the sector of forest policy and economics will be implemented at two universities (Sarajevo and Belgrade), utilizing the block system teaching, implementing the "twinning" and "soft" tutoring" concepts in small groups, with the participation of eminent international and regional lecturers, and with significant portion of field work and excursions, and the latest methods and tools for the conducting of teaching process. This programme's special feature represents the involvement of students in scientific and research projects resulting in the necessary level of synergy between the education and research, theory and practice. This paper will present the above said peculiarities of the FOPER Master programme in the sector of forest policy and economics, with special emphasis on expert knowledge that students acquire during their studies and which are providing them professional training, competence and competitiveness to conduct a wide range of tasks related to the sustainable forests and other natural resources managing.

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