Ecology and Biodiversity Training Course for Young Scientists at Cat Tien National Park

Implementing the Resolution of the Coordinating Committee on Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center and the Directive of the Center's Co-Directors General, the Southern Branch chaired and organized the Ecology and Biodiversity Training Course for Young Scientists entitled "Ecology and Biodiversity of Tropical Forest Ecosystems in Vietnam". This was the 6th training course assigned by the Center to the Southern Branch to inform and introduce basic knowledge about Vietnam's tropical forest ecosystems to young scientists and students of biology of the Russian Federation. The course took place from June 12th, 2017 to June 26th, 2017 at Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai).

Opening of the Course at the Southern Branch

Participating in the training course were 15 graduate students from the Department of Biology, Moscow State University (MGU) under the guidance and charge of Assoc. Dr. Simdyanov Timur Gennadevich -Lecturer of the Department of Biology (MGU) and PhD. Kalyakin Mikhail Vladimirovich - Director of the Museum of Animals (MGU). On Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center side, there were Dr. Kuznetsov Andrey Nhicolaievich - Co-Director General and scientific staff on terrestrial ecology of the Southern Branch.

During the training course, the participants received information and knowledge about the tropical forest ecosystems of Vietnam; surveyed and conducted field practice in different forest habitats at Cat Tien National Park; listened to scientists’ presentations on  specific topics such as plants, birds, amphibians - reptiles, insects, and exchange of heat, moisture, and CO2 flows in the forest ecosystems of Vietnam. During the field trips, the participants were organized to survey and research at Bau Sau, Bat Cave, visit and learn about the operation of the Center's Climate Monitoring Station located in Nam Cat Tien, and watch wild animals at night. In addition, the participants also learned about the scientific and technological activities of the Center and the Southern Branch and  the history and culture of the country and people of Vietnam.

Field survey and discussion

Thanks to the attention and direction of the Heads of Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center and Southern Branch and the facilitation and support of Cat Tien National Park, the training course took place as planned and scheduled and ended successfully. After the course, students and young scientists of the Russian Federation would have better knowledge and understanding of Vietnam's tropical forests. Among them, there would be many people involved in science and technology activities at Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center in particular and Vietnam in general. Therefore, the annual courses on tropical forest ecology will be the foundation and the basis for promoting scientific and technological cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

Photos of the course:

Nguyen Van Thinh/Southern Branch