GetMyUni's Verdict on Forest Research Institute

Pratiki Patra

“With over 100 years of its existence, Forest Research Institute has built a legacy of exceptional education focused on research. Its faculties and the exposure of students play a vital role in shaping the students to excel in the field of forestry.”

An institution dedicated towards forestry and the environment, the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, has become a heritage institution. The institution was founded in 1878 as Imperial Forest Research Institute. Later on, in 1906, it was reestablished as FRI. Apart from offering academic courses, the institution also trains the Indian Forest Service and State Forest Service cadres.

Forest Research Institute is a place which many dream of joining, but only a few get a chance. The Institute's primary focus is to facilitate research in forestry, the environment, and its associated fields. Needless to say, it has excelled in its endeavour. Of the many unique aspects of FRI, the most significant aspect that extensively helps the students develop their research skills is the fact that the faculties here are scientists. 

The students' journey at FRI is exciting, to say the least. Every day, they get to learn and explore new avenues. Since the Institute is housed in a reserve forest area, various species of flora and fauna abound in their everyday life. This only makes the academic environment ideal and enriching.

Table of Contents

• Superior Academics
• Moderately Expensive Course Fees
• Scientists as Faculties
• Blend of Heritage & Advanced Infrastructure
• Plush Student Accommodations
• Good Placement Record
• Thrilling Campus Life
• Is Forest Research Institute Worth it?

Superior Academics

Forest Research Institute is one of a kind in the country when it comes to academics. As mentioned earlier, FRI not only provides courses to the students but also acts as a training institute for the Indian Forest Service, etc. The institute offers only postgraduate and research programs. The degree offered in postgraduate courses is an M.Sc, while for research, it is a PhD. The master's programs are offered in the fields of:

• Forestry
• Wood Science and Technology
• Cellulose and paper technology
• Environment Management

Each course seamlessly blends theoretical and practical studies. Unlike many courses, M.Sc at FRI requires the students to gain ample practical experience and be in fields or environments to study nature and its implications. The course curriculum is structured thoughtfully and includes every detail of the subject or topic.

Apart from the class lectures, students are frequently taken on field trips to national parks, reserved forest areas, etc., across the country to gain substantial knowledge about geography, forestry, etc. In addition, various national and international seminars and conferences are arranged through which students also imbibe the current pressing issues of the environment and its solutions. 

Forest Research Institute pivots its courses mainly around research. For students who aspire to become Scientists or gain traction in their careers in research, FRI provides the best opportunities. The curriculum is also reviewed and revised at regular intervals to keep it abreast with the latest developments.

Admission to Forest Research Institute is strictly based on the entrance exam and fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria. Since there are a limited number of seats per course and the demand is high, there is tough competition to get admission. The semester exams are held in a timely manner. As per various students' reviews online, the semester exams are not extremely difficult. Yet students do have to prepare quite well to pass the examinations. Equal importance is given to both theory and practical learning at FRI. 

Moderately Expensive Course Fees 

FRI, being a government institution, has lower course fees than the majority of the private institutions. Yet, for many students, it can be pretty strenuous to afford. For instance, students pursuing an M.Sc need to pay INR 49,800 in the first semester, followed by INR 38,300 in the second semester. For the third and fourth semesters, students need to pay INR 47,800 and INR 37,300, respectively.

Considering such fees, it cannot be completely ruled out that it is inexpensive. Although, a few things need to be kept in mind while considering the program costs. The fees mentioned above include the hostel charges and study tour/field excursion fees as well. Thus, students do not need to spend additional money on accommodation. To ease the burden of fees, the authorities also grant various scholarships to students based on socioeconomic criteria. 

Scientists as Faculties

The faculty at Forest Research Institute are scientists themselves who are actively involved in the research activities at FRI. They have significantly contributed to this field as well as nurturing young talents. They also act as the mentors for the students.

Many of the professors take the interested students under their wings in their research projects and train them. Needless to say, the professors possess high qualifications themselves. They are warm and friendly in their approach with dedication to their job. They are helpful towards their students and help address the students' queries.

Blend of Heritage & Advanced Infrastructure 

The iconic red-bricked main building of the FRI is easily spotted from afar. Being over 100 years old, the infrastructure of the institute is a mix of heritage and state-of-the-art facilities. The campus is situated amidst a lush green valley that is also declared a reserved forest area. Various avian species, other animals, and several plant species thrive on the campus. This makes forestry and environmental studies much more engrossing.

Furthermore, the Forest Research Institute has multiple museums inside its premises that are open to the students and the public. The classrooms are spacious and are installed with the latest technologies, such as projectors, interactive boards, etc. The laboratories have hi-tech equipment that are well-maintained. Rarely does any equipment falter. The library at FRI is considered one of the largest libraries on Forestry and related fields in Asia. It has a vast collection of rare books as well as other journals, research papers, periodicals, etc. 

The campus has an extensive sports facility. It includes basketball, lawn tennis, badminton, and many other sports. In addition, it also has medical facilities. The institute has a good security system that keeps everyone safe and sound. Although many strict rules and regulations are implemented inside the campus. These are put into place to avoid any unwanted encounters between wildlife and humans inside the campus. 

Plush Student Accommodations

Forest Research Institute provides hostel facilities to boys and girls. The rooms are fully furnished and provide very comfortable living conditions. There are multiple hostels that the students can choose from with varying accommodation capacity. The hostel premises are kept clean and hygienic. There is a dedicated security system which makes the hostel safe and sound. The charges for the accommodation are included in the semester fees, which cost INR 4,800 per semester. 

Good Placement Record

FRI has been able to maintain a commendable placement record steadily. Over 90% of the students get placed each year. Because of FRI's reputation in providing excellent education coupled with enthusiastic students who want to excel in their chosen fields, many top companies are eager to hire the students. There was even a time when the demands for the students were high, but because of limited seats, the number of students to hire was lower.

Even today, because of reasonable demands, the compensation offered by the companies is good. The placement cell looks after the smooth running of the recruitment process and also helps the students secure the jobs by providing training, etc. Additionally, students are encouraged to get internships under various Scientists. Some stipends are granted monthly to the students.

Thrilling Campus Life

Life at Forest Research Institute is full of surprises. Each day is unique, with new learning opportunities. The campus environment located among nature evokes a calming sense. Various cultural and extracurricular events are celebrated throughout the year, which the students can participate in.

There is also a good camaraderie between the seniors and the juniors. Since students from all over the country are admitted to FRI, there is a great cultural mix among the students. This facilitates peer-to-peer exchange of various cultures. 

As the campus has thick forested areas, many strict rules and regulations are imposed for the safety of the students. Additionally, students have to strictly maintain the 75% attendance criteria for theoretical and practical lessons separately. Disciplinary actions might be taken against the students if they fail to comply with it. Even though there are many rules to adhere to, no stringent dress codes or uniforms need to be followed inside the Institute.

Is Forest Research Institute Worth it?

Studying at FRI is an honour. Not many get a chance to study at this prestigious institution. It provides the ideal academic environment along with exceptional academics and resources. The exposure of the students is unparalleled with various seminars,  conferences, field trips, etc. The academics are deeply research-focused in the areas of forestry, environment, and its allied fields. The institute is ranked among the top twenty beautiful institutions in the country. 

The most vital attribute of FRI is the fact that the professors are Scientists themselves. Hence, the students get the optimum learning experience from them. FRI's brand value is also recognized worldwide. Because of this, the students are in great demand in the industry. All of these are coupled with an equally enthralling campus life with a diverse set of students.

Without further ado, here is a glimpse of the pros and cons of Forest Research Institute:

*Source: fridu.edu.in