On January 18, 2023, the Centre for Rural Development in Central Vietnam (CRD) and the Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) signed the Memorandum of Understanding to implement the program “Innovation of the training system on sustainable planted forest landscape (TALENT)”.

Among the attendees were representatives of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry (HUAF): Prof. Dr. Le Dinh Phung – Vice Rector and Dr. Pham Huu Ty – Head of Department of Science, International Relations & Information Technology. On CIRAD’s side was Dr. François Roger – Resident Regional Director for Continental Southeast Asia. On the side of the CRD, there were Dr. Truong Quang Hoang – Director and Dr. Ho Le Phi Khanh – Deputy Director of the Center.

Dr. Truong Quang Hoang – Director of CRD and Dr. François Roger – SE Asia Director CIRAD signed the TALENT Memorandum of Understanding

At the ceremony, Dr. Truong Quang Hoang – Director of CRD and Dr. François Roger – SE Asia Director of CIRAD signed the Memorandum of Understanding to implement the “Innovation of the training system on sustainable planted forest landscape (TALENT)”. Designed by CIRAD and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD, France). Talent program (2021-2024) aims at raising sustainability awareness among managers of agricultural plantations in 04 Southeast Asia countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) through a renovated training system. Within the framework of the MoU, CRD will conduct a series of training courses, workshops, and study tours to enhance the knowledge and skills of students and researchers of HUAF in sustainable plantation management; develop a regional network and promote experience sharing among student groups and partner universities of Talent program.

Dr. Ho Le Phi Khanh – Deputy Director of CRD presented the Talent project workplan

According to the representative of the Programme, “the involvement of CRD in the TALENT Programme paves the way for the integration of research topics of interest for students, academics and professionals, such as plantation forestry and sustainable rubber production”.

The attendees of the MoU signing ceremony