It is therefore important to preserve the old virtues when we change or modify our study programmes. In recent years, we have witnessed a significant increase in enrolment to the MSc programme in forestry, with a doubling of the number of students in just five years. This means that in a few years time there will be a large output of graduates onto the labour market, of whom only a minority will be able to find jobs in the actual forestry sector. We must therefore think in terms of alternative job opportunities for our new graduates and ensure that our students are able to design their study programmes in ways that will allow them to acquire a wide range of knowledge and qualifications. Our major challenge lies in developing the forestry programme without losing sight of the present combination of economics, ecology, technology, and planning which is highly in demand.
Theory counts The landscape architecture programme is also very popular.
It provides students with skills in design and graphic presentation while giving them thorough knowledge of physical planning, plant use, landscape gardening, and engineering. We want to reinforce the research aspect of this programme to give future landscape architects a stronger theoretical foundation. However, this must not be done at the expense of the project-oriented contents of the programme. Economics, the environment, and farming Our agricultural economics programme provides economists with special knowledge of agricultural issues. Students receive a solid basis in economic theory, combined with agricultural and environmental sciences.