Scholarship Program

There are no words to describe my feelings upon receiving the letter of acceptance for the AFoCO Landmark Scholarship Program to pursue a doctoral degree in Forest Resources at Kongju National University. AFoCO’s Scholarship introduced me to a different study life. I had a superb supervising professor who developed my skills as a scientific researcher. The Landmark Scholarship Program and my supervising professor have helped make my dream of publishing scientific papers in international journals come true. The Program also supported my participation in international conferences, giving me many opportunities to meet other researchers and students from across the globe. The knowledge and experiences I have acquired through the Landmark Scholarship Program will help me achieve my academic career goal of becoming a well-known researcher and scientist in Cambodia. This will also help position me better in the forestry sector so that I can actively seek opportunities to collaborate and with other relevant organizations and government departments. Through AFoCO’s Landmark Scholarship Program, I was able to build on my abilities and readiness to contribute effectively to research projects and learn valuable skills to put into practice in Cambodia. I would like to express my gratitude to the staff at the AFoCO Secretariat and the Forestry Administration of Cambodia.

• (PhD Thesis) Assessing the Sustainability of Community-based Forestry and the Quality of Governance of the REDD+ Project in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia
• Sustainable management of forest in view of media attention to REDD + policy, opportunity and impact in Cambodia
• The impact of forest resource decline: Analyzing forest-related income supplements to reduce income inequality and poverty of the Kouy indigenous people living in Kampong Thom province, Cambodia
• Policy implications for community-managed forestry in Cambodia from experts’ assessments and case studies of community forestry practice
• Forest income and inequality in Kampong Thom province, Cambodia: Gini decomposition analysis
• Using Q methodology to investigate the views of local experts on the sustainability of community-based forestry in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia
• Women’s participation and the gender perspective in sustainable forestry in Cambodia: local perceptions and the context of forestry research

I worked for the Myanmar Timber Enterprise for 8 years before moving to the Environmental Conservation Department of Myanmar. When I received the news that I was selected as scholarship recipient, I was very pleased because I could have a chance to study advanced technologies and satisfy my thirst of knowledge by pursuing a Master’s degree in Korea. My supervising professor, guided me kindly and patiently throughout my stay. With his encouragement and support, I was able to publish two papers during my time in Korea. I had the opportunity to work on many research projects during my time in Korea. I was involved in research on weed control in forest plantations, litter production and decomposition of different forest types of Korea, as well as fertilization and irrigation studies in greenhouses. The knowledge I have gained from these experiences has certainly improved my research capabilities, and I believe that this will benefit me in my professional career. I am really thankful to the AFoCO Landmark Scholarship Program for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In the future, I would like to work for UNEP for some time, and continue to contribute to the forestry sector in Myanmar with the knowledge and experiences I gained while studying in Korea.

• (MSc Thesis) Effects of organic and nitrogen fertilization on soil properties and tree growth in different soil types
• Biochar effects on the seedling quality of Quercus serrata and Prunus sargentiiin a containerized production system
• Effects of three biomaterials mixed with growing media on seedling quality of Prunus sargentii

Receiving the AFoCO Landmark Scholarship in 2017 is a great honor to me. The scholarship has given me a wonderful opportunity to study at Kookmin University in Korea. During my two years in Korea, I had many opportunities to participate in conferences and workshops such as the Traditional Knowledge and Culture in Asia Conference, the International Society for Ecological Modelling Global Conference, and the International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology. These experiences inspired me to conduct my master’s research on people’s behavior in tree planting decisions using agent-based modeling for my country, Viet Nam. The Program has helped me develop into a more pragmatic and creative thinker. The many opportunities that I have had participating in workshops, conferences and outdoor activities have also helped to enhance my knowledge and made me a more confident person. I feel more enthusiastic about my career and future plan. Raising awareness about the need to protect forest and wildlife has always been my calling in life. I want to use what I have learned to help people in my country manage and protect forests in a sustainable way and contribute to the forestry sector in my home country. My heartfelt thanks to AFoCO for your support and generosity in helping me reach my goals.

• (MSc Thesis) Agent-based modeling of tree planting decision using social communications by rural households in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam
• A bayesian network analysis of reforestation decisions by rural mountain communities in Vietnam

I had a dream during my undergraduate. That was to study in a foreign country. After I got my Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry (B.Sc-Forestry), I joined to Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Myanmar. During my service in Forest Department, I got an opportunity leading to come true my dream. I had a chance to participate in AFoCO Landmark Scholarship Program and I had been chosen as a recipient of AFoCO Landmark Scholarship and I studied the master course that is focus on Forest Resources and Ecological Restoration at PSPS, Yeungnam University. With the support of AFoCO, my study has been accomplished successfully. As I come from the developing country, my study is important to not only me but also my country in mapping out the environmental and social development. During my study in Korea, I got a lot of experience I would’ve never imagined myself. I can make friends from different countries and learn different culture and I have learnt a lot from many knowledgeable, hard-working and caring Professors. Regarding with my study life, I don’t have any problems because of Professors, PSPS office staffs, friends as well as the assistance and support of staffs from the AFoCO. When I come back to my country, I will continue my work at my department and my study provide to fulfil the gap in the natural resource management. This scholarship would help me pursue my dream of studying aboard and earning a higher education in order to give back to society.

• (MSc Thesis) Assessing Local Community’s Preferences for Conservation of Wetland: The Case Study of Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary in Myanmar