The defense took place in a formal academic setting, with the presence of distinguished guests and participants. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien – President of VNUF – attended, along with members of the university-level dissertation evaluation council. Also in attendance were leaders and lecturers of the Faculty of Forestry, scientists, colleagues, graduate students, and many invited guests of the PhD candidate, contributing to a serious academic atmosphere marking an important milestone in his research journey.

The doctoral dissertation evaluation council was established under Decision No. 668/QD-DHLN-DTSDH dated May 19, 2025, issued by the President of VNUF. The council included reputable scientists and experts with extensive experience in forestry research and education:

1. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien – Vietnam National University of Forestry, Chair of the Council
2. Dr. Pham The Anh – Vietnam National University of Forestry, Secretary
3. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Manh Hung – Vietnam National University of Forestry, Reviewer 1
4. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phi Hong Hai – Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Reviewer 2
5. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quoc Hung – Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Reviewer 3
6. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Chi – Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Member
7. Dr. Nguyen Toan Thang – Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Member

 

Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien – Chair of the Council

During the defense, PhD candidate Khamphet Phomphoumy presented his research findings, received comments and suggestions from the reviewers and council members, and answered questions related to his dissertation.

PhD candidate Khamphet Phomphoumy presenting the dissertation to the Council

The dissertation received high praise from the council for its rigorous implementation, systematic research methods, and practical contributions to the forestry field. The council affirmed the dissertation's scientific and practical value, noting its potential as a reference for management and policy-making in forest research.

Key contributions of the dissertation include:
– Scientific value: The dissertation supplements scientific knowledge on the characteristics and structural dynamics, as well as species diversity of trees in the study area.
– Practical value: It serves as a good reference document for training, research, and forest management in the study region.
– Novel findings: The dissertation identifies important indicators reflecting the structure and tree species diversity across three forest types, and their changes over the 2012–2022 period. It also determines the influence of site factors on the forest structure and species diversity in the study area.

Additionally, the PhD candidate, along with his supervisors and collaborators, published six scientific articles based on the dissertation's findings in reputable academic journals, including Journal of Forest Science and Technology, Annals of Forest Research, and Australian Forestry. These publications confirm the scientific significance and originality of the research and contribute to its dissemination within the academic and forestry communities.

After the presentation, and following the reviewers' evaluations and council members' scientific assessments, the evaluation council held a closed meeting and conducted a vote according to regulations. The result: 100% of the council members voted in favor of awarding the doctoral degree to Khamphet Phomphoumy.

The Chair of the Council officially announced the resolution and recommended that the President of VNUF sign the decision to confer the doctoral degree in Forest Inventory and Planning to PhD candidate Khamphet Phomphoumy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien – President of VNUF, sincerely thanked the evaluation council for their objective, rigorous, and scientific work. On behalf of the University's leadership, he congratulated the new PhD graduate Khamphet Phomphoumy on the successful defense of his doctoral dissertation.

The President acknowledged and highly appreciated the dissertation's scientific and practical contributions to the field of native forest restoration. He also expressed his hope that the new PhD graduate will apply his knowledge, experience, and research results in practice, contributing actively to research and teaching activities at the National University of Laos, and serving as a bridge for future collaboration between the two universities.

Prof. Dr. Pham Van Dien – President, presenting flowers and the doctoral certificate to Dr. Khamphet Phomphoumy

The Dissertation Council congratulating the new PhD graduate

The supervisory team congratulating the new PhD graduate

Faculty members from the Department of Forest Inventory and Planning, Faculty of Forestry, congratulating the new PhD graduate

Colleagues and international students congratulating the new PhD graduate

Source: Graduate Study Division