Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Science awarded the title of Honorary Professor to Dr. Pol Coppin of KU Leuven

With pride and humility, Dr. Pol Coppin of the University KU Leuven (Belgium) received the appointment as Honorary Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Science of the Universidad de La Frontera; an acknowledgement of his academic career and his significant contribution to the international relations of this educational establishment.

The acknowledgement was given to him during the inauguration ceremony of the Doctorate in Agri-Food Science and Environment, and also recognizes his productive scientific career that converts him into one of the leading researchers at the international level in the fields of geomatics, land-use management, forests, nature and landscape.

He is an outstanding international researcher and his relation with the UFRO dates back to 2008, when he was dean of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering of KU Leuven. In 2009, he signed a specific agreement with the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Science of the UFRO, marking since then an uninterrupted collaborative work. Within the agreement, around 20 Belgium postgraduate students came to spend a semester at the UFRO, to do an academic exchange and joint research work.

This successful experience, initiated by Dr. Coppin, allowed expanding the collaboration and in March 2017, both universities signed the cooperation agreement and the double degree agreement for Ph.D. Programs that allows UFRO students – such as the students of the Ph.D. Program of Agri-Food Science and Environment – to graduate also from KU Leuven, which is considered one of the 50 best universities worldwide.

Dr. Coppin pointed out that “this acknowledgement is the culmination of the collaborative work with the UFRO, for a joint project that paid off along the way”. He also added that he was able to find friendships in this University and his wish is that these cooperation agreements and programs he started will continue and grow over time.

The Vice-dean and responsible for this cooperation with KU Leuven, Dr. Adison Altamira, said that this acknowledgement of the Belgium professor is also important for the Faculty, because it is the second time they award the title of Honorary Professor (the first one was for the worldwide renowned Dr. Miguel Altieri), which is an academic merit for an impeccable work, and in this case, for his contribution to the international relations of this academic unit.

“Dr. Coppin has maintained a close relation with this Faculty over the last ten years, providing the possibility of student exchange – each year, we receive Master´s students and also KU Leuven academics. The latest success is the double degree agreement for Ph.D. students in the field of natural science and engineering that he made possible and that connects us with one of the best universities worldwide”, Dr. Altamirano concluded.

“Dr. Coppin has maintained a close relation with this Faculty over the last ten years, providing the possibility of student exchange – each year, we receive Master´s students and also KU Leuven academics. The latest success is the double degree agreement for Ph.D. students in the field of natural science and engineering that he made possible and that connects us with one of the best universities worldwide”, Dr. Altamira concluded.