Universitas Technica in Zvolen
Introduction and Mission of the Faculty The Faculty of Forestry (the LF) with its orientation holds a unique position in the system of Slovak university studies. As the only faculty it provides university education in the fields of study Forestry and Wildlife Management, as well as develops scientific research and implements the research results into forestry practice. The faculty awards academic degrees bachelor (Bc.) and master (Ing.) on its graduates. Research and development orientation of the faculty follows the trends of world forestry science and the requirements for the profile of a graduate. Contemporary main direction of the faculty research focuses on the adaptive management of forest ecosystems with the aim of continuation in scientific and research activities. In connection with scientific research the faculty organizes doctoral studies in several fields of study and awards the academic and scientific degree of “Philosophiae Doctor” (PhD.). The faculty is authorized to conduct habilitation and to award the academic and scientific degree of Associate Professor (doc) and conduct proceedings for Professors’ appointments in the accredited fields of study. During its 60-year of existence, the Faculty of Forestry in Zvolen went through a gradual development. At present it is divided into 8 departments (in parentheses are given current Heads of Departments): the Department of Forest Economics and Administration (Prof. Ing. Iveta Hajdúchová,
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PhD.), the Department of Phytology (Prof. Ing. Ladislav Paule, PhD.), the Department of Forest Management and Geodesy (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Marek Fabrika, PhD.), the Department of Forest Exploitation and Mechanization (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Suchomel, CSc.) the Department of Forest Structures and Amelioration (Prof. Ing. Matúš Jakubis, PhD.), the Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management (Prof. Ing. Peter Garaj, CSc), the Department of Silviculture (Prof. Ing. Milan Saniga, DrSc), the Department of Natural Environment (Prof. Ing. Jaroslav Škvarenina, CSc.). The qualification structure of the LF staff has been stable; in 2012 at the LF have been working 13 professors, 26 associate professors, 35 assistant professors, 36 research and development workers and 31 other employees. A number of employees in the categories of research and development workers and other workers have fluctuated recently also in dependence on the amount of finances from the EU structural funds and these posts are planned for the period of project solution. Since 2007, six members of the faculty acquired the scientific and academic degree “Associate Professor” and one member acquired scientific degree “Doctor of Science” and 2 members are in the proceedings for professor inauguration.