“Wood you believe it?” I ask. The Departamento Forestal y Tecnología de la Madera stands before us. It is a place dedicated to the study of forests and wood technology. Its history began with a pressing need.
The Departamento Forestal y Tecnología de la Madera was created in 1959. It officially started operating in 1963. Before its creation, forestry was a mere addition. It was a complementary area within the Agricultural Engineering program. The department’s birth marked a turning point. It allowed future technicians to clearly differentiate forestry from farming and agriculture. There was a special emphasis on productive areas.
The main goal of the Departamento Forestal y Tecnología de la Madera is clear. It is committed to training people. It focuses on scientific research and outreach. All of this is in the field of Forest Sciences. Theoretical teaching mainly takes place here in Montevideo. Practical training happens in Uruguay’s main forestry production areas. They collaborate with producers and agro-industrial companies. They also work at the Bañado de Medina Experimental Station in Cerro Largo.
Let’s talk about the courses offered at the Departamento Forestal y Tecnología de la Madera. There is AFO III: Forest Production System. This is a fourth-year course that spans both semesters. It focuses on silvicultural systems. Anatomy and properties of wood are taught too. This is a fourth-year, first-semester course. It explores wood technology. Dasometry and Dendrometry are also taught. This spans the fourth and fifth years. It’s also during the first semester. You can also study Dendrology I. This is for fourth and fifth-year students. It takes place in the first semester. Forest Ecology is also taught here. Silviculture is offered to fourth and fifth-year students. This occurs during the first semester. It looks at silvicultural systems. Protection Forestal is for fourth-year students in the second semester.
The Departamento Forestal y Tecnología de la Madera is not just about courses. It offers statistical and methodological advice. This is for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is also for teachers and companies. Teachers from the DBEC perform this work. They also carry out teaching and research.
Do you know about the Centro Tecnológico Forestal Maderero CTFM? It emerged from an investment agreement. This was between Uruguay and UPM. It created a trust and the Sector Innovation Fund FIS. The CTFM aims to promote coordination. This is for all actors in the forest-timber chain. It identifies challenges and seeks innovative solutions. This improves competitiveness and promotes sustainable development.
The CTFM also opens scholarship opportunities. These are for training abroad. This is through the National Agency for Research and Innovation ANII. The CTFM also has a digital repository. It centralizes information. This relates to Uruguay’s forest and timber sector. It is publicly accessible.
The Departamento Forestal y Tecnología de la Madera plays a vital role. It shapes the future of forestry in Uruguay. Its research and training programs contribute to the sustainable development. They also improve the competitiveness of the forestry sector. As we continue our tour remember the work done here. It ensures a greener future for Uruguay.