- Story
INTERFOB 2026 is coming to Switzerland!
01.09.2026 Every year, INTERFOB brings together students from around the world who share a common passion: wood. From 6 to 11 September 2026, the international student conference will take place in Switzerland and will be organised by our students. Over the course of a week, participants will have the opportunity to share knowledge, expand their networks and discover Swiss culture. The programme will also give them the opportunity to discover the Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering (AHB), its education, research and connections to the wood industry.
Key points at a glance
- INTERFOB 2026 brings together students from around the world who share a passion for wood.
- The international student conference will take place in Switzerland from 6 to 11 September 2026 and will be organised by our students.
- Participants will gain insights into the Swiss wood industry and discover BFH-AHB as an attractive place to study.
In this interview, Remo Henggeler, member of the organising committee, explains what makes INTERFOB special, the role of BFH-AHB in this year’s edition and why the university of applied sciences is an attractive place to study for future professionals in the wood industry.
What is INTERFOB and what makes this conference special?
INTERFOB is organised by students, for students. It gives us the opportunity to build an international network already during our studies, which we can benefit from later in our professional careers.
INTERFOB 2026
INTERFOB stands for “INTERnational FOrmation du Bois” and is an international conference for students from different fields within the wood industry. Since 1989, it has taken place in a different European country each year. In 2026, INTERFOB will take place in Switzerland from 6 to 11 September and will be organised by students.
The conference is centred around international exchange, knowledge sharing and a shared passion for wood. BFH-AHB looks forward to welcoming students from around the world and giving them insights into wood research, practice-oriented education and the diversity of the Swiss wood industry.
INTERFOB 2026 – Student meet-up forestry and timber industry
Why did you decide to organise INTERFOB 2026 in Switzerland?
Last year, we, the current organising committee, took part in INTERFOB in Austria. At the time, we thought: “Whatever the Austrians can do, we can do too.” Joking aside, we had a great time and got to discover Austria beyond the usual tourist destinations. We would like to offer international students the same opportunity to discover Switzerland.
«What all INTERFOB participants have in common is their passion for wood. »
The motto is “Wood – Connecting Worlds”. What does this motto mean to you?
The world is becoming increasingly connected, yet borders, languages and cultural differences still separate us. What all INTERFOB participants have in common, however, is their shared passion for wood.
What role does BFH-AHB play in INTERFOB 2026?
BFH-AHB supports us with its expertise, network and financial resources. The network is particularly important to us. The contacts we have made through our studies are essential to organising INTERFOB. Without this support and network, INTERFOB might not have been possible.
As part of INTERFOB, participants will also visit the BFH Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering in Biel. Why was it important for you to include this visit in the programme?
We are all proud to study at the BFH-AHB. We are convinced that it is one of the best places to learn about wood.
What can participants expect during the week? Are there any highlights you are particularly looking forward to?
Our programme has three main focuses: knowledge exchange, networking and Swiss culture. During excursions and lectures, participants will discover how Switzerland works with wood. Building competitions and evening activities will give us the opportunity to get to know each other better. With raclette, flag throwing and Swiss music, we will also give participants a taste of our culture.
In your view, why is the BFH-AHB an attractive place to study for future professionals in the wood industry?
I appreciate the fact that my lecturers are active either in practice or in research. This means we benefit from up-to-date knowledge while also gaining a perspective on the future. I also value the fact that foremen, site supervisors, technicians and engineers are all brought together under one roof. There is a good chance that we will cross paths again in Biel during our professional careers.
What are you personally looking forward to most?
I am looking forward to welcoming the international students and finally meeting the people who give meaning to all the work we have put in over the past few months.
