Today, the University of Forestry in Sofia hosted the lecture “Canada: Known and Unknown,” delivered by Dr. Jamal Amishev, a faculty member at the Faculty of Natural Resources Management at Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada.

For the University of Forestry, the meeting also carried a personal significance, as Dr. Amishev is an alumnus of the University, having graduated with a degree in Forestry. He currently teaches in Canada and was visiting Bulgaria together with his students, who were undertaking their traditional practical training.

As part of his visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the University of Forestry and Lakehead University, focusing on research and project activities, digitalisation, innovation, and international cooperation. The document was signed on behalf of the University of Forestry by Vice-Rector Prof. Petar Antov, PhD, and Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Stoyanov, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry. Prof. Elena Dragozova, Vice-Rector for Accreditation and Rankings, Communication Policy and Career Development, also attended the meeting.

During his lecture, Dr. Amishev presented key aspects of forestry education in Canada, as well as notable perspectives on the management and development of Canadian forests. The discussion between faculty members, students and the guests continued after the lecture.

The visit highlighted something particularly meaningful: the connection between the University of Forestry and its alumni does not end with graduation. In some cases, it develops into new professional relationships and partnerships between universities thousands of kilometres apart.