I joined the Wood Science: Beyond Building course during the lockdown, and it turned out to be one of the most valuable learning experiences. Coming from Nepal, where forests and wood-based enterprises are vital to local economies and livelihoods, I found the course’s focus on wood as a renewable material highly relevant. The course deepened my understanding of wood’s molecular properties, sustainable applications, and its broader role in environmental conservation. I connected with the material on a personal level, as it aligned closely with my work in Nepal’s forestry sector, where sustainable wood use and forest resource management are essential. This experience provided me with practical knowledge and insights that I’m eager to incorporate into Nepal’s community-driven conservation and forestry projects.

More about the course: Wood Science: Beyond Building by West Virginia University