On 5 March 2025, from 14:00 to 16:30 hrs., the Wyss Academy for Nature, Hub Southeast Asia Office opening ceremony was held at Building 2, 1st Floor, RECOFTC main office. The event was organized by Wyss Academy for Nature in collaboration with RECOFTC (Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific).

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Dr. Damrong Sripraram, Acting President of Kasetsart University, presided over the event, accompanied by Professor Dr. Dokrak Marod, Vice President for Research and Internationalization. They were warmly welcomed by Dr. David Ganz, Executive Director of RECOFTC, and Dr. Horst Weyerhäuser, Director of Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub Southeast Asia.

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The opening ceremony of the Wyss Academy for Nature, Hub Southeast Asia Office began with a keynote address by Dr. Horst Weyerhaeuser, Director of Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub Southeast Asia, who discussed the role of Wyss Academy in supporting innovative projects aimed at addressing environmental challenges at the regional level. He also emphasized the goal of the new office in promoting cross-sectoral collaboration to create a long-term positive impact on society and the environment. Following this, Dr. David Ganz, Executive Director of RECOFTC, spoke about RECOFTC's role in promoting community-based forest management, highlighting the importance of collaboration with Wyss Academy for Nature and Kasetsart University in developing policies and practices that empower communities to sustainably manage natural resources.

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Dr. Damrong Sripharam, Acting President of Kasetsart University, then stated, 'Kasetsart University congratulates the launch of the Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub Southeast Asia and hopes that this new office will foster innovation, collaboration, and strengthen the academic network between Kasetsart University, RECOFTC, and Wyss Academy for Nature."

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About RECOFTC and Wyss Academy for Nature

RECOFTC is an international organization headquartered within Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. It focuses on promoting community-based forest management to enhance environmental sustainability, food security, and social development across the Asia-Pacific region.

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Wyss Academy for Nature is a global research and innovation institute based at the University of Bern, Switzerland. It aims to develop concrete solutions to tackle climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable livelihoods. The academy operates regional hubs in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, facilitating global-local collaboration for impactful environmental action.