From March 16 to April 4, 2026, students from the 6th cohort in Forest Management Techniques at ERAIFT on mobility at CRESA stayed at PALLISCO as part of an educational program covering a series of courses focused on tropical forestry. Supervised by Professor Jean-Louis Doucet of the University of Liège and Dr. Abdel Malik Atoupka of the University of Dschang, this company immersion is a vital part of their training. It helps them convert theoretical knowledge into practical skills suited to the complex conditions of the Congo Basin.
In this context, the module, designed as a genuine field laboratory, aims to train managers capable of balancing economic performance, biodiversity conservation, and local development. To achieve this objective, the program is structured around seven key pedagogical pillars: pragmatic decision-making, intercultural collaboration, resilience to unforeseen challenges, stakeholder mediation, strategic planning oriented toward FSC certification, technical mastery of sustainable practices, and complex project management.
Furthermore, the training, developed in partnership with the University of Liège, ERAIFT, and PALLISCO, was implemented in three interconnected phases. First, the initial phase focused on technical and digital skills, introducing analytical tools such as R software, along with the fundamentals of forest management. Next, the second phase emphasized industrial operations and FSC certification requirements, including the assessment of high conservation value forests. Finally, the third phase addressed social dimensions through fieldwork and engagement with local communities, concluding with an evaluation of the participants' competencies.
Beyond academic validation, the program seeks to build a regional network of experts from across the Congo Basin, including the DRC, Cameroon, Gabon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo. In this regard, this initiative, referred to as a “coalition of excellence”, relies on strong collaboration between academic institutions and forestry sector stakeholders, with logistical support from CRESA.
ERAIFT thanks the European Union and AGRINATURA for their financial support. It also acknowledges PALLISCO's hospitality and its significant contribution to the practical training of African professionals. ERAIFT thanks Professor Jean-Louis Doucet for his continued commitment to the training of future African leaders.
