HANOI, 3-4 August 2026 – 25 students from the Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF), together with lecturers and researchers, took part in a pilot training workshop at VNUF’s Hanoi campus to test a newly developed integrated training curriculum on solid biofuels. Developed with support from the European Union (EU), the curriculum is part of the “Capacity Development and Building for Solid Biofuels Value Chain Key Actors in Viet Nam” initiative, implemented by VNUF with technical support from the EU – Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition (EVSET) Facility under the EU – Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme (SETP).
The training was also attended by Ms. Kristina Bünde, First Counsellor, Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Viet Nam, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa, Vice President of VNUF. In her remarks, Ms. Buende said: “Through the SETP, the European Union supports Viet Nam’s transition towards a cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable energy system. Today’s training contributes directly to this goal. Expanding the role of renewable energy requires not only sound policies and appropriate technologies, but also people with the knowledge and skills to put them into practice. The EU support to VNUF reflects the importance the European Union places on strengthening academic capacity and preparing students to become the engineers, technicians and professionals who will contribute to Viet Nam’s sustainable energy future.”
Ms. Kristina Bünde, First Counsellor, Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Viet Nam, speaks at the training workshop
The workshop introduced participants to key topics including the role of solid biofuels in the clean energy transition; solid biofuel production technologies; quality standards and market requirements; and sustainability in the solid biofuel value chain. The workshop aimed to evaluate the draft curriculum under real classroom conditions, gather feedback from students and trainers, and identify opportunities to further strengthen the course content, teaching methodology, and training materials before the curriculum is rolled out more broadly. Throughout the workshop, EVSET experts observed teaching sessions delivered by VNUF faculty members who had previously completed the Briefing of Trainers programme. The experts provided technical guidance, answered participants’ questions, and offered real-time feedback to support the instructors in effectively applying the new curriculum and teaching approaches.
In addition, lecturers from the northern partner universities participating in the pilot training programme, namely Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), and Thai Nguyen University of Sciences (TNUS), delivered valuable and insightful technical presentations that further enriched the training programme. Their contributions covered a range of timely topics, including the application of biomass fuels in coal co-firing technologies at thermal power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the potential and effectiveness of biochar in organic agriculture and soil improvement; as well as the characteristics of different biomass feedstocks and their influence on the quality, properties, and application potential of biochar. These expert contributions not only fostered academic exchange among participating higher education institutions but also strengthened the practical relevance of the training programme by incorporating the latest research findings and real-world applications. They have made an important contribution to the further development and refinement of the training materials for the course “Solid Biofuels: Technology, Sustainability, and Markets,” thereby enhancing the quality of the curriculum and its capacity to support human resource development for Vietnam’s sustainable bioenergy sector and clean energy transition.
Ms. Kristina Bünde, First Counsellor, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Viet Nam, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa, Vice President of VNUF, present completion certificates to students.
This workshop marks the first in a series of three pilot trainings, with additional sessions to be held at VNUF’s campuses in Dong Nai and Gia Lai. After the three workshops, EVSET experts will consolidate feedback from trainers and participants to assess the curriculum’s technical accuracy, clarity, delivery effectiveness, and participant engagement. The findings will inform recommendations for further curriculum refinement, improvements to teaching materials, additional faculty capacity-building needs, and preparations for wider adoption by participating universities.
The workshop builds on the successful completion of two earlier Briefing of Trainers workshops, which brought together lecturers from partner universities to review, refine, and standardize the curriculum. In addition to VNUF, the initiative involves six partner universities: Hanoi University of Industry, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, The University of Science-Thai Nguyen University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thu Dau Mot University, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering.
Vietnam has significant potential to expand the use of solid biofuels by making better use of forestry residues, wood-processing by-products, and agricultural waste. By strengthening university training and building a skilled workforce, the initiative will help support the sustainable growth of the solid biofuel industry while contributing to Vietnam’s clean energy transition and broader climate commitments.
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