1972 – 1982

Milan Saniga – Juraj Veselovský

The development of the VŠLD continued also in this period. The staff composition changed; in 1974 the VŠLD employed seventeen professors, 28 associate professors and 124 assistant professors. In 1980 the number of professors increased by two, the number of both associate professors and assistant professors increased by 15. This period was characterised by a significant development and improving the conditions for studying as well as for carrying out the education process and scientific activities.

In 1972 – 1982 the VŠLD was represented by following academic officials:

The Rector:

Academic Prof. Ing. Adolf Priesol, DrSc. (1971 – 1990)

The Vice-rectors for Education:

Prof. Ing. Martin Sivák, CSc. (1972 – 1980)

Assoc. Prof. Pavel Petrík, CSc. (1980 – 1982)

The Vice-rectors for Science and Research:

Prof. Ing. Jozef Pavlovič, DrSc. (1972 – 1980)

Prof. Ing. Štefan Šmelko, DrSc. (1980 – 1982)

The Vice-rectors for Investment and Construction Development:

Prof. Ing. Štefan Makovník (1972 – 1976)

Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Marko, CSc. (1976 – 1980)

The Vice-rectors for Development:

Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Marko, CSc. (1980 – 1982)

The student life and activities were centred mostly in the building located in the street of Ľ. Štúr. Part of the building was dedicated to the student accommodation. There was located also the canteen with a stage, which, besides providing catering, was used to accommodate large student and cultural events. One part of the building accommodated several departments of the Faculty of Wood Science and Technology.

In this period, a new prefabricated building named Student Dormitory C-120, located behind the University building, was put into operation.

The capacity of the accommodation facilities was not sufficient for all students; therefore one third of students was accommodated in private accommodation, mainly in Zvolen.

Popular free-time activities of students included performing in the folklore ensemble Poľana, either in its dance, music or vocal group. In 1976 Rector’s Advisory Board approved the Statutes of the folklore ensemble Poľana, and the legal relationship between the founder –the Rector’s Office of the VŠLD and the ensemble was solved. Thus, the University management created optimal conditions for the ensemble activities. The continuity of work in the enthusiastic team was secured by experienced ensemble members Ján Račko, Marta Almássyová and the director Emil Senko. The ensemble greatly benefited from having Milan Križo – an outstanding folk song interpret –as the leader of the male vocal group.

In 1972 the ensemble rehearsed a programme performed at various events. In addition, the ensemble took part in the regional competition in folk art creativity in Martin, where the programme was awarded by an honourable mention and several awards for singing and playing the fujara (shepherd’s pipe). In the same year, the men’s vocal group was awarded a prize for the best vocal performance at the national competition of university folklore ensembles Academic Nitra. The ensemble regularly took part also in folklore festivals in Východná, Heľpa and Detva. In 1974, the ensemble ranked second in the competition of university folklore ensembles Academic Zvolen. One year later, they took part in festivals abroad, in Poland and Bulgaria. In the upcoming years, the ensemble appeared in the Czechoslovak Television, became the laureate of the national competition of university folklore ensembles Academic Zvolen, and took part in the national Spartakiade in Prague in 1980. At the show of folklore ensembles in Žiar nad Hronom in 1981, the ensemble was classified into B category and was allowed to represent the national folklore also abroad.

Many students were also members of the Sports Club TJ Slávia. They could choose from among the following sports: basketball, volleyball, canoeing, rock climbing, downhill skiing and cross-country skiing, orienteering, modern gymnastics, bodybuilding and karate. Students, who were members of the club, regularly took part in the university games.

Students of the Faculty of Forestry could be members of the falconry, kennel and hunting club with active membership in the hunting organisation of the University Forest Enterprise of VŠLD. One of the most popular clubs among the students of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology was the marquetry club. Students usually created their works individually in their dormitory rooms, and subsequently they were able to finalise their works in the joinery workshop during designated hours. Their works were presented mostly in the art section of the Student Scientific Conference.

The extracurricular activities of students included also running the club V-klub located on the beautiful and cosy premises of the Zvolen castle. Meetings and discussions with prominent artists from the whole Czechoslovakia were organised in the club.

Film club was another popular extracurricular activity of the university students.

The club management was particularly sensible in selecting the films of directors known worldwide. The Film club presented its activities and events by visually attractive posters created by Neklan Hájek, future Czech furniture designer. The musical background for students was provided by the dormitory radio INRO broadcasting at the Student Dormitory of Ľ. Štúr. It was founded in 1968 by the trio: K. Havlíček – technician, P. Bulák and J. Podola – editors, who were later joined by speaker S. Homola. The radio broadcast to every dormitory room via wiring and the students could learn about the news on a daily basis, send messages and other regards to each other and listen to various shows.

The student life included also some more serious activities; one of them was also Student Scientific Conference.

Enthusiastic students working at various departments as auxiliary personnel in science participated in creating teaching aids, processing data from field measurements in various scientific areas, etc. The students were remunerated for this work and at the same time they could apply the acquired knowledge in their student scientific projects that were presented before the end of the summer semester at the Student Scientific Conference. There was a possibility to advance with the project to the national round of the conference that was organised alternately by the University of Life Sciences in Brno, University of Agriculture in Nitra and University of Forestry and Wood Sciences and Technology in Zvolen.

During the studies, the students could get maintenance grant, merit scholarship and if a female student became a mother, she could get maternity scholarship.

One of the essential activities of the University of Forestry and Wood Sciences and Technology was scientific and research activities. The longterm research programme of the University was focused primarily on the biological, technological and economic issues of forest management in Slovakia. The wood technology segment was focused on the complex utilisation of wood and its processing. In this period 124 teachers and 72 – 83 researchers participated in the research activities. Results of, mostly, applied research were used in practice of forest management and wood-processing industry in the form of new methodology, work procedures, technologies and standards.

Faculty of Forestry

The Research Institute of Forestry, where the director was Prof. Ing. Štefan Šmelko, DrSc. until 1980, employed 43 employees in 1982. Since 1980 the director was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Elemír Gogola, CSc.

The Faculty management: the Dean was Prof. Ing. Jozef Porubiak, CSc.; the Vice-deans for Education were: Assoc. Prof. Elemír Gogola, CSc. (1973 – 1975) and Assoc. Prof. Jozef Réh, CSc. (1975 – 1982); the Vice-dean for Pedagogical Activities was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Klement Hubač, CSc.; the Vice-deans for Science and Research were Prof. Dr. Ing. Eugen Rónay, DrSc. and Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Kodrík, CSc.

The studies at the Faculty of Forestry in this period were organised as 5-year studies. In 1980 the length of the studies was reduced to four years.

In the evaluated period, the Faculty experienced a significant development. In 1970, 63 teaching staff were employed at the university, comprising 38 professors and associate professors. During the 10-year period the number of teachers increased to 67 and the number of professors and associate professors increased to 48.

Departments of the Faculty of Forestry

In 1972 the Faculty of Forestry comprised 11 departments: Department of Pedology and Geology, Department of Botany and Phytocenology, Department of Dendrology and Landscape Design, Department of Zoology and Forest Protection, Department of Geodesy and Photogrammetry,

Department of Silviculture, Department of Forest Management, Department of Economics of Forest Management, Department of Forest Harvesting and Mechanisation, Department of Forestry Structures, and Department of Physical Education. In 1981 the number of departments was reduced to eight due to merging the departments with similar focus to create larger departments: Department of Natural Environment, Department of Silviculture, Department of Landscape Design and Forest Protection, Department of Forest Harvesting and Mechanisation, Department of Forest Structures and Transportation, Department of Forest Management and Geodesy, Department of Economics and Forest Management, and Department of Physical Education.

Department of Pedology and Geology

The department was operating under this name in the period of 1972 – 1981. The Head of the Department was Prof. Ing. Rudolf Šály, DrSc. The teachers at the department provided education in the following courses: Geology (Assoc. Prof. RNDr. J. Húsenica), Bioclimatology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. M. Petrík, CSc.), and Pedology with Microbiology (Prof. Ing. R. Šály, DrSc.).

Department of Botany and Phytocenology

This department was working as an independent department after its relocation to Zvolen in 1952 – 1981. The Head of the Department was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. Dušan Randuška. The Department and the teachers provided courses: General Botany

(Assoc. Prof. RNDr. V. Jamrich), Special Botany (Assoc. Prof. Ing. M. Križo, CSc.), Phytocenology and Forestry Typology (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. D. Randuška).

In 1981 several departments merged to create larger ones. The Department of Botany and Phytocenology merged with the Department of Pedology and Geology and created the Department of Natural Environment. The disciplines covered by the Department belonged to the theoretical background of forestry studies.

The Department focused a lot on publishing various coursebooks, e.g. the book by Prof. Šály “Pôda – základ lesnej produkcie“ (Soil – The Essence of Forest Production). In terms of scientific research the Department employees focused on theoretical issues of soil science, bioclimatology, quarternary geology and petrography. An important part of the research was created by the issues of soil genesis and classification, clay mineralogy, soil micromorphology, mineral content of rocks, soil water regime and frost penetration. Besides teaching and publishing, the Department was the co-organiser of the 3rd Czechoslovak Pedology Conference in 1973 and Climatic Conference in 1980. In 1982 the Department organised the 9th international conference on clay and in 1980 it organised the 3rd Congress of the Slovak Association for Botany. The Department members were members in scientific boards and committees at the Research Institute for Pedology and Plant Nutrition in Bratislava and Prague, Research Institute of Forest Management in Zvolen, at the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Life Sciences in Brno and at the Research Institute for Forestry in Kostelec nad Černými lesy. Research into the natural conditions of forests in Slovakia done by the specialists of the Institute for Forest Management in Zvolen was carried out under the auspices of the Department. In terms of cooperation with institutions from abroad, the Department had very excellent contacts mainly with the Department of Site and Pedology in the forestry section in Tharandt, Technical University in Dresden and with Departments of Pedology and Silviculture at universities in Poznan and Krakow. Since 1974 Prof. Ing. Rudolf Šály, DrSc. chaired the group for forest soils in the International Association for Pedology.

Department of Silviculture

The Head of the Department was Prof. Ing. Hubert Brezačinský until 1975, and from 1975 to 1991 the Department was led by Prof. Ing. Štefan Korpeľ, DrSc. The Department belonged to the principal departments of the Faculty of Forestry and after adding the course of Dendrology in 1975, the Department offered following courses:

Dendrology (Prof. Ing. J. Pagan, CSc.),

Establishing of Forest (Prof. Ing. Š. Korpeľ, DrSc.),

Breeding of Forest Trees (Ing. L. Paule, CSc.), Growing of Special-purpose Forests (Assoc. Prof. Ing. J. Réh, CSc.), elective course

Silvicultural Analysis (Prof. Ing. Š. Korpeľ, DrSc.).

During the evaluated period, the Department worked on five tasks of the basic research and two tasks at the faculty level comprising 14 partial tasks. The topics were focused on the issues of forest tree seed production and utilisation, tending of forest stands during the phases of saplings and pole, natural regeneration of stands, structure and development of natural forests and forests with special function. The research was focused on the following tree species: beech, oak, hornbeam, spruce, fir, pine and larch. In cooperation with the Research Institute of Forest Management in Zvolen, six department employees participated in two tasks of the state development focused on tending of forest stands and cultivating the planting material. Within the international cooperation, the employees took part in IUFRO tasks and cooperated with forestry organisations from Hungary and Poland. Significant activity of the Department covered also creating practical demonstration objects for student practice and forestry practice. The Department employees participated also in creating the national, Slovak and regional directives for silvicultural activities – for stand regeneration, conversion of coppice stands, tending of forest stands, managing the forests with fir admixture, concepts for managing the forests in the Tatra National Park, approving the forest stands and procedures for protecting forest reserves. As members of scientific boards and committees, the employees took part in preparing all important documents, analyses and proposals regarding silviculture in Slovakia.

Department of Landscape Design and Forest Protection

The Department was established in 1974 by merging the Department of Zoology and Forest

Protection with a part of the Department of Dendrology and Landscape Design. The Head of the Department was Prof. Ing. Miloslav Stolina, DrSc. The Department provided education in the following courses: Zoology and Entomology (Prof. Ing. J. Sládek, CSc. and Assoc. Prof. Ing. E. Gogola, CSc.), Game Management (Ing. L. Bancík, Ing. P. Garaj, CSc.), Forest Protection and Phytopathology (Prof. Ing. M. Stolina, DrSc. and Assoc. Prof. Ing. J. Kodrík, CSc.), Landscape Protection and Design (Prof. Ing. M. Stolina, DrSc.), Nature Protection (Prof. Ing. J. Sládek, CSc.), Landscape Deterioration and Recultivation (Prof. Ing. M. Stolina, DrSc.). In terms of scientific research, the Department coordinated two main tasks of the state plan of the basic research: “Research into the Most Harmful Agents in Relation to Forest Tree Species and Forest Environment“ and “Ecology Essentials of Landscape Protection and Design“. The outcomes of these two tasks contributed to solving the issue of forest damage caused by biotic harmful agents, and were used as starting point for predicting, planning and targeted forest protection for the needs of forest management. In this period, the department also worked on the task assigned by the Ministry of Education with the topic “Research into the Education towards Taking Care of the Environment“.

Further activities within the scientific research were carried out within individual associations of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovak Association for Zoology, Slovak Association for Entomology, Slovak Association for Agricultural, Forestry, Food-processing and Veterinary Science and Slovak Association for Geography).

Department of Forest Harvesting and Mechanisation

The Department was established in 1970 by merging the Department of Forest Harvesting and Transportation with the Department of Forestry Mechanisation. The Head of the Department was Prof. Dr. Ing. Eugen Rónay, DrSc. The Department staff were teaching following courses: Technology (Prof. Dr. Ing. Eugen Rónay, DrSc.), Ergonomics and Occupational Health and Safety (Prof. Dr. Ing. Eugen Rónay, DrSc.), Mechanical Engineering Basics (Ing. M. Danko, CSc.), Forestry Mechanisation (Prof. Ing. R. Jandel), Forest Harvesting (Prof. Dr. Ing. Eugen Rónay, DrSc.), Machinery Operational Reliability (Ing. M. Danko, CSc.), Organising the Maintenance of Forestry Machinery (Ing. M. Danko, CSc.), Complex Utilisation of Biomass (Ing. T. Lukáč, CSc.).

In addition, the Department organised and provided post-graduate studies in the specialisation “Machinery and Technology of the Forest Harvesting and Production Process“. Regarding the scientific research, the Department focused on solving the issues related to the technical, technological, operational, organisational and economic aspects of effective production and transportation of timber. Furthermore, analysing the occupational injuries, and analysing the special purpose machine systems were within the scope of the Department research activities. Within CMEA and in cooperation with Finland, the Department was dealing with the issue of allowable intensity of logging using the clear cut and selection management system. This research covered also the issues of ergonomics in the logging operations while using engine-powered equipment and skidding devices. The Department was also engaged in cooperation with the producer of forest machinery ZŤS, n. p. (state enterprise) in Martin and State Forest Slovenská Ľupča. The activities within this cooperation covered mainly the algorithms of work procedures of forest machines of ZŤS, n. p. in Martin,operation conditions in the process of logging and solving the indicators of reliability and diagnosing the decisive nodes of operating forest harvesting machines. The Department also organised the IX international symposium named “Scientific and Technological Development and Technologies in the Logging, Production and Transportation Process.“

Department of Forestry Structures and Transportation

Before adding the word transportation, the department was known as the Department of Forestry Structures. In autumn 1981, trying to join the workplaces, three employees joined the Department and the course Forest Transportation was added to the Department portfolio. Subsequently, also the Department was renamed to the Department of Forest Structures and Transportation. The Head of the Department was Prof. Ing. Štefan Makovník. The Department staff taught following courses: Technical Mechanics (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Et. Ing. F. Kompan, CSc.), Forest Roads (Prof. Ing. L. Jurík, CSc.),

Forestry Structures (Prof. Ing. Štefan Makovník, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Et. Ing. F. Kompan, CSc.), Timber Transportation (Prof. Ing. Roško, DrSc.), Technical Meliorations (Ing. J. Marko, Csc.), Forest Local Planning (Prof. Ing. Š. Makovník).

The Department provided education in the field of Forestry Engineering focused on building the forest roads, building the structures in the forest environment, methods and logistics in timber transportation. Besides the full-time studies, the Department provided also post-graduate studies focused on forestry structures. Research activities targeted primarily economic efficiency of building forest roads, dimensions of roads, standardisation and design of prefabricated components used in building bridges on forest roads. The core activities of the department were focused on intense cooperation with forestry practice based on consultation and project activities.

Department of Forest Management and Geodesy

The Department of Forest Management belonged to the core departments since the beginning of the university forestry studies in Zvolen. Department of Forest Management and Geodesy was established in 1981 after merging with the Department of Geodesy and Photogrammetry (the Head of the Department was Prof. Ing. Pavol Višňovský).

The newly established department was led by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Klement Hubač, CSc. and after 1987 by Prof. Ing. Štefan Šmelko, DrSc. The Department staff educated the forestry students by providing following courses:

Basics of Cybernetics and Programming (Assoc.

Prof. Ing. M. Šuška, CSc.), Statistical Methods

(Prof. Ing. Š. Šmelko, DrSc.), Geodesy and Photogrammetry (Prof. Ing. P. Višňovský, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Š. Žihlavník, CSc.), Timber Metrics (Prof. Ing. K. Hubač, CSc.), Forest Management (Prof. Ing. A. Priesol, DrSc.), Production Theory (Prof. Ing. Šebík, CSc.).

In the post-graduate studies, the Department provided two courses focused on forest management. In the process of education the intention was to implement the computer technology and programming into the teaching practice as much as possible. The basics of cybernetics, automatic computer programming and biocybernetics were largely used in elaborating the Master theses of students studying also at other departments. In the scientific research the Department achieved important outcomes in the following areas:

– research into methods of geodesy and photogrammetry and forest planning,

– research into the growth and increment relations of trees and stands,

– research into new methods of forest stand inventory,

– research into and compilation of new tables of timber metrics and timber cruise,

– research into the methods for regulating the production of forest management,

– utilisation of automatic computers in the forest management activities. Within the research into new methods of forest inventory a new theory and application of statistical methods for determining the stock, increment and site index was elaborated. In the sphere of timber metrics, results of extensive empirical research were used to create first Czechoslovak volume tables for coniferous tree species – spruce, fir and pine and for nonconiferous tree species – beech. In the field of application of automatic computers in forest management, an automatic system was created that enabled the foresters to automate the geodetic and cartographic evaluations, calculate the stock and timber cruise variables, process the numerical and text description of forest stands, etc. The Department coordinated the national task “Research into Biometrics of Forest Tree Species and Forest Management“. For achieving excellent results the Department employees were awarded a state distinction in 1972. The Department also cooperated with the Faculty of Forestry in Tharandt, Technical University Dresden while working on the task “Methods of Control, Regulation and Prediction of Production“, and with the Academy in Poznan while working on the task “Modelling and Regulation of Production of Forest Stands“ and “Managing and Automation of Systems in Forest Management“. The Department teachers were also cooperating with the researchers from the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences as well as with researchers from abroad.

Department of Economics and Forest Management

In 1981 the Department of Forest Management Economics changed its name to the Department of Economics and Forest Management, and the Workplace of World Forestry and Wood Processing Industry, previously part of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, became part of the Department. The Head of the Department was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ivan Kolenka, CSc. The Department provided education in the following courses: Legal Standards (Assoc. Prof. Ing. F. Macko, CSc.), Sociology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. F. Macko, CSc.), Forest Management Economics (Prof. Ing. E. Hromada, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing. B. Špirka, CSc.), Socio-economic Information (Assoc. Prof. Ing A. Lukáč, CSc.), Forest Management (Prof. Ing. J. Porubiak, CSc.), Automated Management Systems (Assoc. Prof. Ing. I. Kolenka, CSc.), Forestry Economic Geography (Prof. Ing. J. Borota, DrSc.), World Forestry and Wood Processing Industry (Prof. Ing. J. Borota, DrSc.), Environment (Prof. Ing. J. Borota, DrSc.), Environmental Protection (Prof. Ing. J. Borota, DrSc.), Business and Business Policy (Ing. M. Šupín, CSc.), Sociology and Psychology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. F. Macko, CSc.).

The scientific research was focused on theoretical issues of economics and forest management, issue of workforce and work conditions in the forest management. Valuable contribution for the forest management practice was achieved by dealing with optimisation of the structure of basic funds in forest management and application of mathematical methods in forest management. In 1972 the Department participated in organising a conference focused on economic and technical issues of forest management. In 1973 the Department participated in an international symposium focused on rationalisation of forest management. The Workplace of World Forestry and Wood Processing Industry contributed to organising the FAO seminar “Designing and Managing Integrated Wood Processing Enterprises“ in attendance of experts from Africa and the Near East. For the sake of forestry practice, the Department elaborated documents for the forest management in Slovakia to 1980 and studies for standardising the amount of technical staff and restructuring the state forests.

Department of Physical Education

In this period, the Head of the Department was Assoc. Prof. PhDr. Ján Michalec, CSc. The Department was established in 1952. The main task of the Department was to improve the physical fitness and sport skills of students of the University. According to the new methodology issued in 1973 by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Socialist Republic, students of the first and second year had to have two compulsory classes of physical education a week, and in the third and fourth year the amount decreased to one class a week. In addition, there was an obligation for the second year students to participate in an eightday winter sport training camp and a ten-day summer training camp, while the latter one was for female students and male students who could not pass the mandatory military service. This kind of camps was supposed to improve the physical as well as mental fitness. In addition to these compulsory activities, the Department offered also elective sport classes and organised activities of higher sport level within the Sports Club TJ Slávia.

In terms of research, the Department staff participated in researching the issue of physical performance of youth in Slovakia, where the performance parameters were usually acquired during the compulsory classes of physical education.

The Development Workshops and Laboratories

The Development Workshops and Laboratories experienced a great progress in this period, largely thanks to Ing. Ján Lacko. The tasks provided by the Development Workshops and Laboratories included:

– providing for the practical education for students according to the corresponding curricula of individual faculties, including creative activities and Master theses,

– carrying out laboratory projects associated with completing the research tasks of the University,

– designing and producing teaching aids,

– designing and producing non-standard equipment for forest management mechanisation and wood processing industry,

– experimental verification of research and development results,

– carrying out tests of materials, machines, prototypes, etc.

In 1972, another workplace – computer centre, gained premises in the building of the Workshops. The premises included a large hall for the computer TESLA 200 with adjacent rooms for operators. Later, the computer centre was reorganised and the Institute of Computer Technology was established. The mission of the Institute was to meet the needs of research and education at the University and help with introducing methods of statistics and modern computer technology at the University, as well as at other schools related to forest management and wood processing industry. In terms of structure and organisation, the Institute was divided into institute management, operation and workplace of programming. The Director of the Institute was Assoc. Prof. Ing. M. Šuška, CSc. Later, the Institute was restructured to the Institute of Applied Cybernetics and Computer Technology and was one of three retraining workplaces of the Ministry of Education in Slovakia.

The School Forest Enterprise – special purpose establishment of the University (established in 1958 as Faculty Forest Management – special purpose establishment of the University) was divided into the main office, located in Zvolen and four forest districts: Sliač, Kováčová, Sielnica and Budča. On 1st January 1975 the forest districts Železná Breznica an Budča merged, so did the forest districts Sliač and Sielnica.

Another workplace that experienced a significant expansion was research and development workplace Borová Hora Arboretum. The area of the Arboretum was enlarged to 45.5 ha and later (in 1983) to 47.84 ha. In 1970 – 1975 a pond in the northern part of the Arboretum and a snow pit were created, rock garden, peatbog under the greenhouse, irrigation system in forest nurseries and rose garden were finished, and building the garages and workshops was initiated. During this period, the network of roads and pavements was developed, which divided the Arboretum area into individual sections and stands. However, the most important

• Institute of Computing Technology at the VŠLD (1977) task was creating the collection of tree species. The director in 1970 – 1990 was Prof. Ing. Jozef Pagan, CSc. 1977 saw the beginning of building the new premises of the University – main building, lecture halls and assembly hall, which were finished in 1983. It created much more favourable conditions for the development of forestry and wood technology studies. In 1972, the University employed 159 teachers, 72 researchers and 678 other staff.

The Slovak Forestry and Wood Sciences Library was established in this period. It employed 45 employees and was the central library for forest management and wood processing industry in the whole Slovakia. Since 1977, the Library has been a part of the University; it incorporated all partial libraries and this created the information workplace of the University.

Years 1972 – 1982 were quite rich also in extra-curricular activities typical for student life at university. Each year had several milestones. The beginning of each new academic year (the semester used to start in early October) was typical by potato harvesting in surrounding collective farms, which usually lasted for 1 – 2 weeks. In the morning, the students were transported to farms by buses followed by the harvest itself. The students experienced many amusing stories, some of which were portrayed later on drawings exhibited during the matriculation week of the forestry students. The semester, which started after the potato harvest, was quite demanding due to both, the study, as well as activities associated with matriculation of the first year students prepared by the fourth year students. The first year students selected their godparents, who should be their tutors during the first year of studies and help them in familiarisation with the university studies. The matriculation was preceded by a lengthy preparation process including visual aspects and traditions. One of the most timeconsuming activities of the fourth year students were the visual works of art – preparation of pictures and drawings depicting various events of their student lives during four years. These were mostly funny stories from exams, potato harvests, dormitory life.

• Matriculation Invitation

These works of art were usually created at night and in the morning the students had to wake up early and attend compulsory lectures. It often happen that students who spent the night creating these works of art, were sitting in the back rows and tried to get over the sleep deprivation at the alpha stage. The most timeconsuming activity was writing the forestry bulla listing the duties of the first year students, and matriculation invitations. Both documents were written in Schwabacher on tracing paper with ink and fountain pen.

This activity was carried out by students who had neat handwriting. The documents were published in the lobby of the student dormitory the evening before matriculation. The invitation ceremony was accompanied by singing folklore songs and playing music by the folklore ensemble Poľana.

The next day in the afternoon (Friday) a matriculation parade was marching across the town. In the lead of the parade there was a carriage with a committee of examiners and notary followed by a hay wagon carrying also the music group of the folklore ensemble Poľana.

They were followed by students of the first and fourth year of study carrying banners, and other students and staff of the Faculty.

After announcing the matriculation outside the Zvolen castle the parade was finished in the student dormitory, where also the matriculation theatre performance took place. The matriculation certificates were handed over to the first year students by the committee of examiners and notary. It was accompanied by a funny exam question. Besides students, also some teachers could have been asked to answer these questions, what was very funny, though it was never offensive. The matriculation theatre performance was followed by the matriculation ball at the hotel Palace in Sliač lasting until early morning. This event was significant also for ordinary inhabitants of the town of Zvolen and was observed by a large crowd of spectators. Another event significant for the forestry students was building the maypoles taking place on the last day of April. The maypoles were erected in front of the Faculty of Forestry and student dormitory and outside the Zvolen castle, whereas the activity was greatly supported by music played by the folklore ensemble Poľana and a student parade. The tradition said that the maypoles had to be guarded during the whole night in order to protect them from the students for Faculty of Wood

• Graduates of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology in 1976 after their graduation ceremony with their teachers, among whom you can see Prof. Dr. Ing. Karol Eisner, Prof. Ing. František Setnička, Prof.

Sciences and Technology, whose task was to cut them down. It was a customary law of students valid only during this single night and was respected and followed.

Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology

In the evaluated period, the Faculty experienced a great progress within education as well as in scientific research. In 1972 the Faculty employed 76 teachers, thereof seven professors, fifteen associate professors and 54 assistant professors. By 1980 the number of teachers increased to 92. The Faculty management comprised the Dean and three Vice-deans.

Assoc. Prof. Ing. František Krúteľ, CSc. became the Dean on 1st October 1972 and remained in the function until 31st January 1990. The officials in functions of the Vice-deans were as follows: Assoc. Prof. Ondrej Hrčka (1972 – 1975), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Lendvay, CSc. (1975 – 1980), Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Milan Marčok, CSc. (1980 – 1984) as Vice-deans for political education; Assoc. Prof. Pavel Petrík, CSc. (1972 –1980) and Assoc. Prof. Ing. Dionýz Horský, CSc. (1980 – 1988) as Vice-deans for education; Assoc. Prof. Ing. Dionýz Horský, CSc. (1972 – 1980) and Assoc. Prof. Ján Bučko, CSc. (1980 – 1990) as Vicedeans for scientific education. The Science and Research Institute of Wood Technology, whose director was at that time Assoc. Prof. Ing. Július Klein, CSc. (1972 – 1987), employed 39 employees in 1980. In the academic year 1974/1975, 656 students were enrolled for the study in the field of study Wood Technology in the full-time form of study, 113 students were in the part-time form of study and 20 students in the post-graduate studies. However, the number of students was increasing gradually. The studies lasted for ten semesters (5-year studies). In the academic year 1971/1972, 81 graduates completed successfully their full-time studies and 10 graduates completed the studies in the part-time form. At the end of the evaluated period, in the academic year 1981/1982, the number of graduates of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology increased to 140, thereof 15 were from abroad (Bulgaria, Vietnam). During the period 1972 – 1982, the number of graduates of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology increased by 1,309, thereof 79 students were from abroad (Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria). Taking into consideration the concept of the study programme Wood Technology, it can be concluded that it was balanced, and it prepared the students for the wood-processing industry. Undeniable benefits of the study programme were the teachers’ personalities, academic environment as well as the wood-processing companies that were willing to help and cooperate within student practical training and other activities related to the curricula of the studies. During the handson-training from the major courses, the students got to know the whole range of companies from the primary and secondary conversion of wood in Czechoslovakia. The trainings lasted several days, when students visited companies related to wood-processing industry across the whole Czechoslovakia.

In 1978 a new field of study Economics and Management of Wood-processing Industry was created at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology.

In addition a new specialisation Wood-processing Machines and Equipment was created within the field of study Wood Technology. Resulting from the reforms in 1980 – 1985 in the field of study Wood Technology, the length of study was reduced to four years. However, in the study specialisations introduced in this period – Furniture Production and Construction, Timber Structures and Carpentry production and System Engineering – the enriched choice of selective courses extended the 4-year study to 5 years.

The University life in years 1972 – 1982 was very rich. The academic year started in a more relaxed ways. Students of the whole University helped the farmers with harvest, usually potato harvest. The commencement of the lectures was followed by another event connected with a lot of preparations – matriculation. It was not just the introductory ceremony for the first year students; it was also celebration of the relationship and affiliation with the particular field of study. Informal and free event was an academic celebration, when students demonstrated their respect to teachers, but it also reflected how they are perceived. The dramaturgy of this event was carefully prepared by the fourth year students. The final version in the form of witty sketches was presented in the theatre, where the matriculation ceremony took place. The first year students selected their godparents from among the fourth year students, who helped them to navigate through the academic environment. According to the student laws pronounced in the bulla, the first year students had to show genuine respect.

In the academic year 1973/1974 the students of the third year launched a new tradition in the student life at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology – Breaking the Wood. This act consisted in breaking a wooden scantling, which could have been done by each third year student, who successfully passed all exams of the winter semester. This ceremony usually took place in the Modra Wine Bar in the attendance of invited teachers. Students most often remember activities which were created naturally, free without any supervision of authorities. A specific of the Faculty was the student composition. This Faculty was unique in the whole Czechoslovakia, and the ratio of students from the Czech Republic to the Slovak students was 60/40. The student life, however, was enriched also by students coming from Vietnam, Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the largest group was created by the Czech students, who did not travel back home so often and spent more time in Zvolen. Therefore, it can be said that the Czech students left their cultural mark in Zvolen and contributed to developing the student life. An example worth mentioning could be creating the totem pole park in the town part Stráže, where the students were meeting in the open air with bonfire and guitar. Its origin dates back to the early 1960s and continued until early 1970s. On the occasion of matriculation, the students built the totem poles depicting the academic life and the profession being studied. It resembled the tramp movement, which was very popular mostly in the Czech Republic in the 1960s and 1970s. 1989 saw a return of this tradition, when the fourth year students led by Vladimír Kváš made and installed a new university totem in the new university campus on 13th October

1989. Its shape depicts the symbols of woodprocessing industry and academic environment. Unfortunately, the totem was later heavily damaged and did not meet the aesthetic function any more, therefore it has been removed.

Departments of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology

In 1972, there were eleven departments at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology: Department of Mathematics and Descriptive Geometry, Department of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Department of Wood-working Machines and Automation, Department of Furniture Architecture and Wood Products, Department of Chemical Technology of Wood, Department of Chemistry, Department of Economics and Management of Woodprocessing Industry, Department of Mechanical Wood Technology, Department of Wood Science, Department of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (later Department of Mechanical Engineering and Thermal Technology), and Department of Languages. For a short period of three years, a new Department of System Engineering was established in 1978. In 1981 the number of departments decreased to eight by merging departments with similar focus: Department of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Wood-working Machines and Automation, Department of Furniture and Wood Products, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of Wood, Department of Economics and Management of Wood-processing Industry,

Department of Wood Science and Mechanical Wood Technology, Department of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (later Department of Mechanical Engineering and Thermal Technology) and Department of Languages.

Most of the department premises, class rooms and lecture rooms were located on provisional premises of the Faculty, currently part of the Student Dormitory of the University, Študentská ulica street 17 (previously Gottwaldova ulica street). The building started to be constructed in 1957 as an object that was intended to become later a part of the university dormitory. In 1960 it started to be used by the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology and all departments expect the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Mathematics and Descriptive Geometry and the Department of Physics and Electronic Engineering that were located in the main building of the University of Forestry and Wood Technology (1953 – 1984) in the Street of Ľ. Štúr 4.

Department of Mathematics and Descriptive Geometry

The first Head of the Department Prof. Dr. Cyril Palaj, leading the Department from 1952 – 1971, contributed greatly to establishing the Department and it subsequent progress. In the next decade, the Department was led by Prof. RNDr. Milan Marčok, DrSc. In 1973, Prof. RNDr. A. Dekrét contributed to creating the Workplace of Applied Mathematics, which achieved great results in scientific research.

Following employees contributed to developing the education and scientific research in individual fields:

– mathematical analysis: Prof. RNDr. A. Dekrét, Assoc. Prof. RNDs. František Husárik, CSc., RNDr. Anna Bezáková, RNDr. Ivan Krsek, RNDr. Anton Štekláč,

– probability and mathematical statistics: Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Tomáš Klein, CSc.,

– descriptive geometry: RNDr. Elena Palajová. The Department was also a member of the Association of Slovak Mathematicians and Physicists. It was in close contact with various workplaces in the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and the USA, where the Department employees presented their research results.

In 1972 – 1981 the teachers provided education in the fields adapted to the requirements of the two faculties of University: Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology

– Mathematics – Prof. RNDr. Cyril Palaj, RNDr. Anton Štekláč,

– Descriptive Geometry – RNDr. Františk Husárik, CSc., RNDr. Helena Palajová,

– Numerical Approximation Methods – Prof. Cyril Palaj, Faculty of Forestry

– Mathematics – RNDr. Františk Husárik, CSc., RNDr. Anton Štekláč,

– Descriptive Geometry – RNDr. E. Senko, CSc.

Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering

The Head of the Department was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Lendvay, CSc. (1972 – 1981).

From 1981 to 1990, the Department was led by Prof. RNDr. Milan Marčok, DrSc.

In the field of education and scientific research, the Department focused on applied physics, acoustics, where it obtained great achievements. One of the Department research project and its findings concluded by RNDr. Emil Rajčan in the early 1970s was awarded by a prestigious diploma of the Ministry of Education.

During 1972 – 1981 following courses were taught by the Department teachers: Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology:

– Physics – Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Ladislav Thern, RNDr. Emil Rajčan,

– Electrical Engineering – Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján

Lendvay, CSc., Ing. Makovini, CSc. , Faculty of Forestry:

– Physics – Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Ladislav Thern.

Department of Wood-working Machines and Automation

The Head of the Department in years 1962 – 1977 was Prof. Ing. Ľudovít Mikolášik, CSc. In 1977 – 1992 the Department was led by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Lisičan, CSc.

In the education and scientific research, the Department was focused on construction of wood-working machines and auxiliary equipment, in the process of working the wood and wood-based materials and operation of wood cutting machines.

In 1972 – 1982 following courses were taught by the Department teachers:

– Wood-working Machines and Working the wood I – Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Lisičan, CSc.,

– Wood-working Machines and Equipment II –Prof. Ing. Ľudovít Mikolášik, CSc., Ing. Rudolf Slaný, CSc.,

– Transportation Mechanisation in Woodprocessing Industry – Prof. Ing. Ľudovít

Mikolášik, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Oswald, CSc.,

– Automation Elements and Systems – Assoc. Prof. Ing. Emil Zajac, CSc.

Department of Furniture Architecture and Wood Products

The independent department was established in 1955 bearing the name Department of Wood Products. In 1969/1970 the name changed to the Department of Furniture Architecture and Wood Products. A prominent personality contributing to establishing, creating and leading the Department was Prof. Jindřich Halabala, M.A. (1955 – 1971).

In 1971 – 1987 the Department was led by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Elemír Šulán, CSc.

Personalities, who contributed to achieving great results of the Department, included Assoc. Prof. Ing. Š. Dúbravský, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing.

J. Lipták, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing. J. Kamenický, Assoc. Prof. Ing. F. Vince, CSc., Prof. Ing. Ľ. Nemec, DrSc., Ing. A Bašista, CSc. and Assoc. Prof. Ing. J. Zemiar, CSc.

In terms of science and research the Department dealt with typology and construction of wood products guided by Prof. Jindřich Halabala, M.A. and Assoc.

Prof. Ing. Elemír Šulán, CSc. Within the applied research, the Department dealt with creating production programmes for furniture companies. In the field of furniture production it closely cooperated with the Research and Development Institute for Furniture in Bratislava, which had an external facility located at the Department –Studio 4. Another research field of the Department was construction of timber structures. Significant output of this activity is the Sports hall in Žilina, whose co-author was Ing. Andrej Bašista, CSc., who was also co-author of other buildings, e.g. icehockey stadiums in Banská Bystrica and Zvolen. Following publications can be considered the most important ones within the evaluated period:

Furniture Production – Design and Construction (J. Halabala) and Technology of Furniture Production (Ľ. Nemec, E. Šulán and J. Zemiar).

In the field of education, Prof. Jindřich Halabala, M.A. created a concept of so called group study entitled “Interior Architecture“. Students interested in furniture and interior design could develop their skills by passing elective courses provided by the Department in the second and third year of study.

In 1972 – 1982, the Department teachers taught following courses:

– Basics of Construction of Wood Products –Assoc. Prof. Ing. Elemír Šulán, CSc.,

– Construction and Typology of Products – Assoc. Prof. Elemír Šulán, CSc.,

– Technology of Furniture Production and Wood Products – Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Nemec, CSc.,

– Timber Structures and Carpentry Products –Ing. Andrej Bašista, CSc.,

– Interior Architecture (elective course) –Ing. Arch. Ľudmila Chovancová,

– Furniture History (elective course) – Assoc. Prof. Ing. František Vince, CSc.

Department of Chemical Technology of Wood

The Department was established in 1965. The first head of the Department was a renowned specialist Prof. Dr. Ing. Karol Eisner. From 1974 – 1981 the Department was led by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Alexander Poláčik, CSc. After changes in 1981, it merged with the Department of Chemistry to form the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of Wood led by Prof. Ing. Imrich Melcer, DrSc. until 1991. Assoc. Prof. Ing. Alexander Poláčik, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ján Perlác, CSc., Prof. Ing. Ján Bučko, DrSc., Prof. Ing. Milan Sedliačik, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing. Eva Liptáková, CSc., all contributed significantly to the development of the Department. The Department members were renowned experts in developing countries (A. Poláčik, J. Perlác, J. Mhút, M. Sedliačik). They had great contacts with oversees scientific and research institutes in Europe and the USA and with non-governmental organisations, such as FAO and UNIDO. However, they also developed an intensive cooperation with domestic partners, mostly with Chemko Strážske, Duslo Šaľa and Preglejka Žarnovica.

Within the scientific research activities, the Department members dealt with producing new types of wood composite materials, manufacturing technologies considering the required properties of the wood composite materials, development of new adhesives and adhesive mixtures for wood working industry, processing of secondary wood raw material through chemical processing and with chemical processes in wood working in general. From among significant publications, the following ones were the most important: Wood Gluing (K. Eisner), Chemical Wood Processing (J. Bučko), Chemistry and Application of Auxiliary Substances in Wood Working Industry – Part Adhesives (M. Sedliačik).

In 1972 – 1981 the teachers provided education in following courses:

– Chemistry of Auxiliary Substances in Woodprocessing Industry – Prof. Dr. Ing. Eisner, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Milan Sedliačok, CSc.,

– Chemical Processing of Wood –

Prof. Dr. Ing. Eisner, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Bučko, CSc.,

– Technology of Veneer and Plywood Production

– Assoc. Prof. Ing. Poláčik, CSc.,

– Technology of Agglomerated Materials –

Prof. Dr. Ing. Eisner,

– Surface Finish of Products – Assoc.

Prof. Ing. Eva Liptáková, CSc.

Department of Chemistry

The founder and the Head of the Department from its beginning in 1951 to 1981 was Prof. Ing. Imrich Melcer, DrSc. He remained in the Department management until 1991, also after organisational changes, when in 1981 the Department merged with the Department of Chemical Technology of Wood to form the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of Wood.

In the education process and scientific research the Department dealt with the basic research in the field of wood chemistry and in the period of 1972 – 1981 it taught following courses:

Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology:

– General and Physical Chemistry –Prof. Ing. Imrich Melcer, DrSc., Ing. Rastislav Solár, CSc., Ing. Jozef Blaho, CSc., Ing. Anton Bella, CSc.,

– Analytical Chemistry – Ing. Anna Melecrová, CSc., Ing. Rastislav Solár, CSc., Ing. Tomínová,

– Organic Chemistry – Ing. Miloslav Vozár, CSc.

Faculty of Forestry

– General Chemistry –Prof. Ing. Imrich Melcer, DrSc.,

– Analytical Chemistry –Ing. Anna Melcerová, CSc.,

– Organic Chemistry –

RNDr. D. Beracková, CSc.

Department of Economics and Management of Wood-processing Industry

The founder and the Head of the Department from its establishment in 1950 until 1979 was Prof. Ing. Víťazoslav Sprock. From 1979 to 1984 the Department was led by Prof. Ing. Petrík, CSc.

The Department was focused on the field of economics and management of woodprocessing industry, mostly in the field of business economics. Within the scientific research, the Department was focused on the research into economics and organisation of wood-processing industry and was managed by Prof. Ing. Víťazoslav Sprock.

In the period 1972 – 1981 the Department staff taught following courses:

– Organisation and Management of Woodprocessing Industry – Prof. Ing. Víťazoslav Sprock,

– Economics of Wood-processing Industry

– Assoc. Prof. Ing. Július Klein, CSc., Prof. Ing. Pavel Petrík, CSc., Ing. Viera Galádová, CSc. ,

– Designing the Wood-processing Plants – Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Matejka, CSc.

Department of System Engineering

The founder and Head of the Department was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Július Klein, CSc. The history of the Department was very short (1978 – 1981) and in 1981 the Department was incorporated into the Department of Economics and Management of Wood-processing Industry.

Department of Mechanical Technology of Wood

In the academic year 1955 – 1956, the first Head of the Department and the guarantor of the field of study with the same name was Prof. Ing. Jozef Palovič, DrSc. He led the Department until 1981, when the Department merged with the Department of Wood Science, and together they formed the Department of Wood Science and Mechanical Technology of Wood. The Head of the newly established department was also Prof. Ing. Jozef Palovič, DrSc. The pedagogical and research activities of the Department were focused on sawing technology, technology of wood seasoning and hydro-thermal wood treatment and on technology of wood preservation. In the years 1972 – 1981 the Department teachers provided education in the following courses:

– Hydro-thermal Treatment and Preservation of Wood – Assoc. Prof. Ing. Dionýz Horský, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing. Pavol Trebula, CSc.,

– Technology of Wood Sawing – Prof. Ing. Jozef Palovič, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Krúteľ, CSc., Assoc.

Prof. Ing. Anna Šúriková, CSc., Assoc.

Prof. Ing. Detvaj, CSc.

Department of Wood Science

The Department of Wood Science was established as an independent department in 1961. The first head of the Department was Prof. Imrich Janota (1961 – 1974), who contributed significantly to its overall development along with other former department members: Prof. Ing. Dušan Chovanec, DrSc. and Prof. Ing. Ladislav Regináč, DrSc.

In 1975 – 1981 the Head of the Department was Prof. Ing. František Krúteľ. After merging with the Department of Mechanical Technology of Wood a new Department of Wood Science and Mechanical Technology of Wood was established, and Prof. Ing. Jozef Palovič, DrSc. was appointed the Head of the Department and remained in the position until 1987.

In the period of 1972 – 1981 the Department teachers provided education of the essential course – Wood Science – Prof. Ing. Imrich Janota, Prof. Ing. Ladislav Regináč DrSc., Prof. Ing. Dušan Chovanec, DrSc., Prof. Ing. Stanislav Kurjatok, DrSc., Prof. Ing. Alexander Požgaj, DrSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Dubovský, CSc.

In terms of research, the Department was focused primarily on the basic research into the structure and properties of wood and their impact on the final utilisation of wood. Significant results were achieved by Prof. Imrich Janota and his team while working on the research task focused on establishing the average weight values of beech wood harvested in Slovakia and its relation to the decomposition process of the beech wood attacked by white rot. The results were significant for processing of cellulose and paper based on broad-leaved tree species.

Department of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Thermal Technology)

The Head of the Department was Prof. Ing. František Setnička (1955 – 1975).

In 1975 – 1982 the Department was led by Prof. Ing. Martin Sivák.

In 1971 and 1982 the Department organised international conferences of the departments with similar orientation. The conferences were guaranteed by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Pavel Koska, CSc. In 1972 – 1981 following courses were taught by the Department staff:

– Technical Drawing – Prof. Ing. Martin Sivák,

– Technical Mechanics – Ing. Milan Lang, CSc.,

– Elasticity and Strength – Ing. Milan Lang, CSc.,

– Machine Components – Assoc. Prof. Ing. Sivák, CSc., Assoc. Prof. Ing. Pavel Koska, CSc.

Department of Languages

The Department had this name since 1961, when teaching the Russian language was augmented by other world non-Slavic languages. The Head of the Department was Assoc. Prof. Ondrej Hrčka (1961 – 1980). In 1980 –1988 the Department was led by PhDr. Miriam Šepetková.

The scientific and research activities were focused on systematic work with professional texts, translating and interpreting.

In the period of 1972 – 1981 following courses were taught by the Department teachers in all study forms:

– French Language – Assoc. Prof. Ondrej Hrčka,

– Russian Language – Assoc. Prof. Rudolf Blazsek, CSc., PhDr. Mária Dolincová, PhDr. M Jasenská,

– English Language – PhDr. Mária Šepetková, PhDr. Denisa Pauleová,

– German Language – PhDr. Anna Horská, PhDr. Danica Dvořáková, PhDr. Denisa Pauleová, PhDr. Marta Katrincová,

Workplace of World Forestry and Woodprocessing Industry

The workplace was established in the academic year 1969/1970 after becoming a part of the Department of Economics and Management of Wood-processing Industry (previously it had been an independent department). In the period of 1974 – 1981, the Workplace was organised as a part of the Dean’s Office at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology.

Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Borota, CSc. was a prominent personality having a huge impact on establishing and developing the Workplace. Besides Assoc. Prof. Borota, also Ing. Juraj Mahút, CSc. was taking part in education and research and Mária Felixová and Mária Porubiaková worked in technical positions.

The Workplace dealt with the research into tropical forests, and in the evaluated period it took part in the following research projects:

– Tropical Forests Inventory in Virgin Forests in Ghana, Congo and Gabon,

– Thinning of Pinus Patula in Tanzania. In the period of 1972 – 1981 it provided course World Forestry and Wood-processing Industry at both faculties; the course was taught by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Borota, CSc.