A professional development program for a delegation from Tanzania has launched at SPbGLTU (St. Petersburg State Forestry Engineering University)

On September 28, a solemn opening ceremony of the professional development program "Technologies for Efficient Use of Forest Resources" took place at SPbGLTU.

The program is organized within the framework of the "Summer Multidisciplinary University" of the "Russian-African Network University" consortium.

The delegation includes representatives of the Tanzania Forest Services Agency, the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, and Sokoine University of Agriculture. The delegation was led by Revocatus Petro Mushumba, Director General of the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute.

It is worth noting the participation of Kasagama Blandina Agustine, Counselor of the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Russia. Her presence underscores the importance of our cooperation at the state level.

The first day of the program was a day of getting acquainted with SPbGLTU. Vice-Rector for Research and International Activities A.A. Dobrovolsky welcomed the guests and gave a presentation of the university and its main areas of activity. The head of the delegation, Revocatus Petro Mushumba, presented Tanzania's forestry sector organizations: the Tanzania Forest Services Agency, the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, and Sokoine University of Agriculture, and spoke about their work.

E.N. Kuznetsov, Head of the Department of Silviculture, delivered a lecture on "Forest Resources of the Russian Federation." The guests visited the Botanical Garden and park of SPbGLTU, as well as the Museums of Vertebrate Zoology and Hunting named after A.A. Silantyev and of Forest Entomology named after Prof. M.N. Rimsky-Korsakov. A.A. Dobrovolsky gave a lecture on "Forest Policy of the Russian Federation," which aroused keen interest and many questions.

The day concluded with a bus tour "Evening Saint Petersburg": the cruiser Aurora, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Spit, Palace Square, and St. Isaac's Square.

On September 30, participants of the professional development program "Technologies for Efficient Use of Forest Resources" visited the Lisino Training and Experimental Forestry Enterprise — a branch of our university.

The group was met and welcomed by the branch director, R.V. Lipatov.

The program began with a tour of the forest museum of the Lisino Forestry College, conducted by museum head L.O. Shaulskaya. Participants learned about the history of silviculture and the oldest educational and research forestry base in Russia. The guests then viewed the Hunting Palace, built to a design by the architect Benois and regularly used for royal hunting during the reign of Alexander II. T.I. Filippova, an engineer at the Lisino Training and Experimental Forestry Enterprise, spoke about this site.

The group then visited unique sample plots used for scientific research, student practical training, and observations of the growth and condition of forest stands. E.N. Kuznetsov, Head of the Department of Silviculture, spoke about the characteristics of the forests and the key research areas at the Lisino sample plots. The group was also accompanied at the sites by A.O. Panarin, Deputy Director for Forest Use, and E.K. Naumova, a specialist from the International Projects Department.

The trip concluded with a lunch in traditional Russian style, which the program participants especially enjoyed.