Researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria have had close research ties in a range of forestry topics for many years. This relationship had previously been formalised through an MoU, which has since expired.

Prof. Juan Acosta (Director of Camcore, College of Natural Resources, NCSU) visited FABI in June 2023. He joined the annual meeting of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) in FABI in May this year where he signed an intent to develop the MoU. This formal MoU between NCSU and UP, on behalf of Camcore and FABI, has since been concluded.

The purpose of the MoU is to promote cooperation in education, research and enterprise between NCSU and the University of Pretoria. Areas of focus will include forest genetics and the intersection with pest and disease management and tree resilience.

Through this MoU, both parties affirm the value of international collaboration and agree to promote academic and research activities including:

- Joint research projects in fields of mutual interest including identification of tree species that exhibit tolerance to potential threats and conducting screening and ranking of superior genotypes;

- Opportunities for faculty development and mobility;

- Opportunities for student mobility; and

- Opportunities for visiting research scholars.

Prof. Bernard Slippers, Director of FABI, commented that “we are excited to build on the already well-established relations between our institutions to further connect our strong and global research platforms, together with our industry partners from around the world. Our globally-leading expertise on tree genetics, pests and pathogens and their interactions with climate change holds tremendous opportunity to impact forestry globally.”