Davis Ssemanda, a young forestry practitioner from Uganda, has been awarded first prize in the Africa "Youth in Forestry Health Action" competition organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Recognized for his outstanding contributions to forest health, he has been granted the opportunity to enroll in a master's program in forestry at BFU this fall, an opportunity enabled by the university's collaborative framework with the FAO.

To encourage young researchers to contribute to the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and promote youth engagement in global ecological governance, BFU and the FAO Forest Health Office jointly launched the "5MT Competition in Forest Health" Initiative. This initiative is one of the brand activities under the MOU between BFU and FAO.

During his undergraduate studies in Uganda, Davis Ssemanda developed a strong interest in forest ecosystem conservation. Through field investigations, he gained deep insights into the destructive impact of invasive species, such as paper mulberry, on local forest structures and identified a significant lack of related research. "I want to use modern technologies like GIS and remote sensing to enhance the precision of forest monitoring and management, providing scientific support for policymaking and community action," he said. Davis shared his expectations for his studies at BFU: "Beijing Forestry University is renowned for its forestry research and technological innovation. I look forward to acquiring advanced skills, exchanging ideas with students and faculty from around the world, and contributing to forest health in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa in the future." He also encouraged more young people to engage in the forestry industry: "Youth should speak up, share their research findings, and seek global solutions to local challenges through international cooperation."

Recommending outstanding participants of the "Youth in Forestry Health Action" initiative for advanced studies at BFU aims to support young scholars worldwide who are dedicated to forest conservation. As more students with practical experience and international visions study and do research in BFU, it is believed that their efforts will contribute positively to global forest sustainability.

In the fiture, BFU will continue strengthening partnerships with international organizations such as FAO and supporting more young scholars in conducting in-depth research in forest protection, ecological restoration, and other related fields, jointly promoting global forest health.

Written by Zhang Duo, Ren Lili
Translated by Zhang Lezi
Edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang