Canadian Wood Vietnam has signed an agreement with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), marking a significant step toward supporting the next generation of Vietnam’s wood industry professionals. This initiative underscores Canadian Wood Vietnam’s efforts to support the sustainable development of the country’s wood and furniture sectors by annually donating premium wood species from British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, and offering expert-led training programs.
Representatives of the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding.
Through this partnership, Canadian Wood Vietnam provides five renowned Canadian wood species: Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar, and Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF). B.C. practices sustainable forestry, with some of the most comprehensive methods in the world. Lumber from B.C. meets rigorous international certification standards and is certified under third-party certification programs, including the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
Wood from B.C. meets rigorous international certification standards and is certified under third-party certification programs.
Under the collaboration, Canadian wood species will be provided to HCMUTE students to use as the primary material for their graduate projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience with their distinct properties and applications. A key part of this initiative is the integration of Canadian lumber into the ‘Wood Science Practice’ course, which offers students insights into sustainable forestry and practical applications of Canadian wood.
Mr. Vince Tran, Country Director of Canadian Wood Vietnam, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “This partnership aligns with our commitment to supporting the growth and innovation within Vietnam’s wood and manufacturing industries. By providing students with hands-on experience and access to high-quality Canadian wood species, we aim to equip them with the knowledge and skills required for long-term success.”
The initiative directly benefits students in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at HCMUTE. Established in 1962, the faculty is home to six specialized programs, including the Furniture and Wood Technology program. This program trains students in designing, calculating, and manufacturing wooden and furniture products, establishing production processes for various types of wood products, managing wood construction projects, and operating and maintaining woodworking machinery. From 2017 to 2024, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering trained nearly 200 students in the Furniture and Wood Technology program. Notably, annual statistics show that the rate of students who have jobs before graduation is quite high, reaching over 69%, contributing a high-quality human resource for the rapidly developing wood industry in Vietnam.
“We are honoured to collaborate with Canadian Wood Vietnam on this impactful initiative. By integrating Canadian lumber into our curriculum—particularly in the ‘Wood Science Practice’ course—we are empowering our students with in-depth knowledge of sustainable forestry and wood applications. This partnership enhances our curriculum by providing access to premium materials and practical training opportunities, aligning with our mission to produce skilled, industry-ready graduates”, Associate Professor Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of HCMUTE, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration.
Through this partnership, Canadian Wood Vietnam will donate premium wood species from B.C. and offer expert-led training programs.
The theoretical and practical courses on ‘Wood Science Practice’ will integrate content introducing Canadian wood species and sustainable forest management practices in Canada. It includes an overview of sustainable forest management policies and practices in B.C. and technical information on five distinctive wood species—Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Yellow Cedar, Western Red Cedar, and SPF; Canadian wood grading rules; and practical applications in interior design and construction. This initiative reflects the shared commitment of Canadian Wood Vietnam and HCMUTE to promote sustainable practices and foster a greener future for Vietnam, particularly among young leaders.
As the first university to partner with Canadian Wood Vietnam on this initiative, HCMUTE sets a precedent for fostering industry-academic collaboration. Building on this success, Canadian Wood Vietnam aims to expand the program to other universities and colleges across Vietnam, inspiring a new generation of industry leaders dedicated to environmental responsibility and best practices.
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ABOUT CANADIAN WOOD VIETNAM
Canadian Wood Vietnam is part of FII, a provincial agency of British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, focused on developing markets for forest products. Canadian Wood promotes B.C. and Canada as a global supplier of quality, environmentally responsible wood products from sustainably managed forests. Through market development programs, Canadian Wood works closely to support Vietnam’s wood industry professionals, including furniture manufacturers, designers and wholesalers, to educate and inform about the advantages of using B.C. wood products.
For more information about Canadian Wood Vietnam, please visit:
Website: https://www.canadianwood.com.vn/en/home/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/canadianwoodvn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-wood-vn
ABOUT HCMC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION (HCMUTE)
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education was established in 1962 and is one of the leading universities in Vietnam in the field of technical and technological education. With a multi-disciplinary training orientation, the university trains and provides high-quality human resources for various sectors, ranging from engineering, technology, and economics to foreign languages, arts, management, and education. HCMUTE stands out with its experienced faculty, modern facilities, reputable training quality, and recognition from large enterprises, as well as its scientific research achievements that are applied in practice. The university also focuses on developing practical skills for students through academic competitions, extracurricular activities, international cooperation, and internship programs with businesses. With the educational philosophy of “Humanism – Creativity – Integration”, HCMUTE not only provides a professional learning environment but also nurtures generations of engineers and experts capable of creativity and leadership.
For more information about HCMUTE, please visit:
Website: https://hcmute.edu.vn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dhspkt.hcmute/?ref=embed_page#
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UTETVChannel
