The 2nd Undergraduates Summer Camp of Forestry Universities in the Greater Mekong Subregion was held from 8 to 14 September 2025, in Pu'er City, China. The event successfully brought together 26 teachers and students from across the six Lancang-Mekong River Basin economies (Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam). The summer camp sponsored by APFNet and organized by Southwest Forestry University, with technical support from the APFNet Kunming Training Center and the Pu’er Forestry and Grassland Administration.
Through a blend of field trips and classroom learning, the summer camp provided deep exposure to China's sustainable forestry practices. Participants visited a range of sites including Pu'er ecological tea gardens, Simao pine plantations, the Wood and Bamboo Museum and Herbarium of Southwest Forestry University, the APFNet Pu'er Base, the Dendrobium Germplasm Resource Bank of the Pu'er Forestry and Grassland Science Research Institute, the Simao Pine Science and Technology Museum, Nandaohe Scenic Area, Yunjing Feilin New Materials Co., Ltd., and Pu'er Songmaogu Traditional Chinese Medicinal Development Co., Ltd.
At Wanzhangshan Forest Farm, participants gained first-hand experience in advanced systems for forest fire monitoring and early warning
An interpreter explains the living habits and conservation achievements of Asian elephants to teachers and students at the Asian Elephant Natural Ecology Museum
Participants visited the Germplasm Resource Bank of Dendrobium and the researchers explained the Dendrobium conservation and cultivation technologies
Teachers and students learned about coffee planting and roasting.
Conducting Dendrobium wild-simulated cultivation practice at the Pu'er Base.
Visiting the intelligent lightweight super-strong particleboard production line of Pu’er Yunjing Feilin Co., Ltd.
Through these activities, participants gained comprehensive insight into China's sustainable forest management models and scientific advances. This hands-on approach effectively cultivated young forestry talent with international perspectives for the Lancang-Mekong region.
The summer camp also introduced a range of interactive practice sessions in areas including sustainable forest management, forest fire monitoring and early warning, under-forestry economy, forest product processing, ecological tea garden development. These sessions were designed not only to systematically deliver professional knowledge but also to integrate closely with real-world ecological practices. Through such capacity-building programs, APFNet continues to foster platforms for youth exchanges and encourage young participants to engage deeply with issues of sustainable forest management and ecological conservation.
Feedback from Participants:
Participants discuss their experiences and learnings from the camp
Khonethong Soukphaxay, a faculty member from the National University of Laos, noted that the session on wild-simulated Dendrobium cultivation under forest cover provided his first introduction to the edible value and industrial potential of this orchid species, significantly broadening his understanding of under-forestry economies. He was also impressed by the scale and modern management of the Dendrobium greenhouse, which not only showcases China’s achievements in orchid conservation and utilization but also offers a valuable reference for GMS cooperation in under-forestry economy development, specialty industries, and biodiversity conservation.
Cambodian students Chhum Puthdany and Phin Chenna emphasized that the summer camp exposed them to modern wood processing production lines, expanding their professional perspectives and inspiring their future academic pursuits. They expressed gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to study in China and hoped the program would continue to benefit more forestry students across the region.
Li Qinsheng, a student from China, stated that in addition to gaining professional knowledge and hands-on experience, the camp facilitated meaningful exchange and cooperation among Lancang-Mekong economies. He highlighted the importance of the friendships built through shared learning, describing them as valuable assets for advancing green development in the region
In October 2023, the 1st Pu'er Forum on Asia-Pacific Forests adopted the 2024–2025 Action Plan, which designated the “Undergraduates Summer Camp of Forestry Universities in the Greater Mekong Subregion” as an annual event under the Presidents’ Forum framework. Supported by APFNet, the first summer camp was successfully held by Southwest Forestry University in September 2024, receiving positive feedback from participants. As one of the seven key outcomes of the Pu'er Forum, the program has enhanced forestry education exchange, inter-university collaboration, and professional training models in the region.
