Indonesian University, Korean Research Institution Cooperate On Forestry

JAKARTA, Nov 30 (Antara) - The University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta is cooperating with the National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS) of South Korea in the field of forestry. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the UGM and received by Antara here on Tuesday. The cooperation between the two institutions includes joint research, exchange of faculty members, participation in seminars and academic meetings, exchange of information as well as various other kinds of cooperation related to the forestry sector as determined by an agreement. As a national research institute under the Department of Forestry of South Korea, the NIFoS drives research and development of forestry science in the country. The cooperation between the UGM and NIFoS focuses on areas related to care and improvement of forest ecosystems, forest health, forest disasters, biotechnology in forestry and silviculture (the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values). Other areas of cooperation are forest conservation, green tourism, forestry products and handling climate change. "For us, it is important to work together to manage climate change. Hopefully, we will be able to together deal with the issue," NIFoS President Sung Hyun Nam said. Meanwhile, UGM's Vice Rector of Cooperation and Alumni Affairs Paripurna hoped the cooperation not only benefit the scientific development but will also strengthen the relationship between the two institutions as well as Indonesia and South Korea. "Culturally, Yogyakarta actually bears some resemblances with Korea. I hope we can build friendly relations through such mutually beneficial cooperation," he stressed.