I am Shreya Shivani, a master's student in Tropical Forestry. In may I took part at the South European Regional Meeting (SERM) 2025 in Switzerland. It was organized by the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) in collaboration with the HAFL (School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences) and hosted students and experts from across Europe for an immersive exploration of sustainable forestry practices.

At SERM I presented a forestry-related poster with the title “Exploring Conservation Science at Western Sydney University”, which aligned with the conference’s themes of forest ecology, climate change, and sustainable land management. The poster focused on interdisciplinary approaches to forest conservation under changing climatic conditions. 
This presentation was well received, stimulating discussions around the applicability of Australian conservation strategies to European forestry models. The interdisciplinary nature of the project resonated with many attendees and emphasized the importance of global knowledge exchange in conservation science.

The SERM 2025 conference provided a comprehensive educational and cultural program that engaged participants in both theoretical and field-based learning activities.

• Day 1: Welcome and Forest Dynamics at HAFL
• Day 2: Couvet Forest Management and Biel Wood School 
• Day 3: WSL Research Center 
• Day 4: Mountain Forestry and Helicopter Logging in Zermatt 
• Day 5: Urban Forestry and Vocational Training 
• Day 6: Workshops and Cultural Engagement 

A highlight: At the WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research), we attended lectures on climate-resilient tree species, national forest inventories, and greenhouse-based tree physiology studies. As my goal in life is to work in a research institute, this visit was like a stepping stone for me.

SERM 2025 was a deeply enriching experience that provided practical knowledge, cross-cultural collaboration, and opportunities for scientific exchange. It allowed me to both broaden my understanding of forestry in alpine environments and share innovative conservation research from Australia.