On 17–18 April 2026, the Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF) successfully organized the Briefing of Trainers (BoT1) under the initiative "Capacity Development for Key Actors in the Solid Biofuels Value Chain in Vietnam," with support from the EU–Vietnam Sustainable Energy Transition Facility (EVSET).

This initiative is part of the broader EU–Vietnam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme (SETP), which supports Vietnam's transition toward a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system. As the lead implementing institution, VNUF plays a central role in designing, coordinating, and delivering this capacity development programme.

The BoT1 training marks a key milestone in VNUF's strategic efforts to develop high-quality human resources and strengthen institutional capacity for the solid biofuels sector in Vietnam. The event, hosted at VNUF, brought together lecturers and experts from leading technical universities in Northern Vietnam, including Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), and Thai Nguyen University of Sciences (TNUS). This collaboration reflects VNUF's leadership in building a strong academic network to support the development of the bioenergy sector.

Strengthening Capacity through a Structured and Practice-Oriented Training Programme

The BoT1 is designed to enhance the capacity of lecturers to teach and develop the course "Solid Biofuels (SBF): Technology, Sustainability and Market." The programme focuses on both technical knowledge and pedagogical approaches, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to transfer knowledge effectively to students and future professionals.

Developed and led by VNUF, the training programme introduces a comprehensive curriculum covering key aspects of the solid biofuels value chain, including:

- Biomass feedstock and resource potential

- Solid biofuel products and market development

- Pellet and biochar production technologies

- Sustainability issues in biomass energy

- Legal timber, traceability, and regulatory frameworks

In addition to strengthening technical expertise, the programme aims to enhance teaching capacity, refine course materials, and support participating universities in integrating or adapting the SBF course into their curricula.

Promoting Academic Collaboration and Building a Trainer Network

A key outcome of the training is the establishment of a network of trainers led by VNUF, connecting major technical universities in Northern Vietnam. This network is expected to play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge, expanding training activities, and fostering long-term collaboration in the field of solid biofuels.

Through interactive sessions, academic discussions, and feedback exchanges, the training also provided an opportunity to review and improve the SBF course materials developed by VNUF, ensuring their relevance, quality, and applicability across institutions.

Contributing to Vietnam's Sustainable Energy Transition

Vietnam has significant potential to develop solid biofuels, particularly through the effective utilization of forestry residues and agricultural by-products. However, unlocking this potential requires a skilled workforce and strong institutional capacity.

By taking a leading role in this initiative, VNUF is actively contributing to building the foundation for the sustainable development of the bioenergy sector. The university's efforts in training, curriculum development, and network building are expected to support key actors across the value chain and accelerate Vietnam's transition toward a greener and more sustainable energy future.

Event Highlights (Photo Gallery)

Image 1: Introduction of the Briefing of Trainers and its participants by Assoc. Prof. Le Xuan Phuong, Initiative Coordinator at VNUF.

Image 2: Welcome address by Assoc. Prof. Phung Van Khoa, Vice President of VNUF.

Image 3: Speech delivered by Mr. Adrian John Twomey, Team Leader of the EVSET Facility.

Image 4: Group photo of the BoT1 participants and organizers.

Image 5 & 6: Interactive discussion sessions among experts and lecturers during the training