Singapore Congress highlights

WHERE TO BEGIN!

The Congress welcomed 1,338 delegates from more than 55 countries.   The eight concurrent sessions in a total of 76 concurrent rooms ran with 315 oral papers.  This includes 28 special scientific sessions organised by IUFoST working groups, Task force and committee and Disciplinary Groups. Many of these sessions were standing room only. (see Congress page for oral presentation and poster abstracts). Many sponsors and exhibitors supported the congress and our thanks are directed to them all. 

Comments from speakers and attendees to our incredibly hard working Singapore Congress Committee of the IUFoST Adhering Body Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology (SIFST) (Richard Khaw  and Ong Mei Horng Co-Chairs) included – ‘a very well organised congress with many great concurrent sessions and plenary speakers’ – ‘one of the best post-pandemic international conferences. We are spoilt for choices with the number of oral and poster presentations.’

Response from Richard and his team: “We are very thankful for the great support from all our local and overseas delegates. The congress cannot be a success without your attendance and active participation. We sincerely hope that you have achieved what everyone of you have hoped to achieve through the congress be it learning experience or networking with fellow food scientists and technologists. “

Pre-congress workshops ushered in the congress. There was such an air of excitement and anticipation beginning with the opening reception as old friends met each other again and new acquaintances were made that grew over the course of the next four days of scientific excellence, social programmes and outstanding food served in the heart of the congress alongside the exhibition and poster displays.

IUFoST’s international scientific stature was evident beginning with the presence at the Congress opening sessions of International Science Council President, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, whose address stressed the importance of our role in sustainable future food systems.  Sir Peter confirmed that “food security and adequate nutrition have implications to many of the SDGs, well beyond those most directly involved (e.g., SDG 2, 3, 12, 14). Food and nutrition scientists have broader and leadership roles to play as we address challenges to the global commons.”

The New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST), whose IUFoST congress was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020, had prepared an excellent transitional opening programme to reflect major scientific issues from industry and governmental perspectives before handing over to the Singapore Committee in an official welcome.

The Opening Ceremony, which was honoured by the presence of Ms. Low Yen Lin, Minister of State Singapore, holding responsibility for two portfolios - Culture, Youth and Communities and Industry and Trade, who spoke eloquently on the importance of the IUFoST mission and Singapore support for a sustainable food system, as well as the need to encourage innovation, future leaders, and entrepreneurship. Many examples of that support and the scientific advancements in Singapore were present throughout this congress. The lively Chinese Dragon Ceremony cemented the Opening.

Add to that the special occasions, for example the sold-out Gala Dinner, sponsored by Unilever and recognising the Global Industry Award Winners, the IUFoST Rose Spiess Video Award winner and many others for their service and excellence.  This evening was capped off with some brilliant performances both in song and dance involving many cultural flavours by students from the Singapore institutes.  They were tremendous!   

The many students and young scientists participating in the congress showed their enthusiasm and thirst for learning and their future leadership qualities in congress programmes including the Early Career Scientist session, posters, recognitions, and awards – as well as the first ever IUFoST Quiz Bowl!

The Fellows Induction Ceremonies and recognition of the two IUFoST Lifetime Achievement Award Winners – Dr. Delia Rodriguez-Amaya (Brazil) and Dr. Ruth Oniang’o (Kenya) - was of key importance.  The recollections of these outstanding scientists who have given so much through capacity building and through sheer force of scientific ability and personality were inspiring to all those attending. The induction ceremonies included two rosters of inductees, the elected group who would have been inducted in the cancelled 2020 congress and those who were elected in 2022.

The Induction Ceremony was completed by the plenary of the IAFoST and IUFoST chosen Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Joachim von Braun, Chair Scientific Group of the UN Food Systems Summit, whose subject was Food Systems in Crisis are Confronted with Hard Choices: the Opportunity for Innovations. The Academy had unanimously elected Dr. von Braun a Fellow of the Academy and he joined the inductees for 2022.

The Fellows dinner was sold out as well and took place in the beautiful Botanic Gardens in a restaurant set aside only for the Academy Fellows and for those inductees being recognised from 2020 and 2022 cohorts.

The Young Scientists who were selected by their IUFoST Adhering Bodies and chosen by the International Jury spoke after the plenary sessions at the congress. They are joined by the Young Researcher of the Year in being admitted in to the IUFoST College of Early Career Scientists to engage in all the activities and lead in empowering young scientists.  The list of the Young Scientist awardees and Young Researcher is available here.

The Closing Ceremonies offered the opportunity to recognise more awards, including those who have successfully applied for and received IUFoST accreditation/recognition programme certificates. The awarded institutes for 2022 are indicated on the Education pages of the IUFoST homepage, together with details of how to apply.  Congratulations to all and thank you to the IUFoST Education Expert Panel.

Let’s have a look at all the competition winners for poster awards, Food Sustainability and Food Safety Competitions, the Global Food Industry Awards, the Student Product Development Competition and the Quiz Bowl champs.

The last order of the Closing was officially to hand over the IUFoST flag from Singapore to Italy – who are the 2024 Congress organisers. Have a look at the Congress website for 2024  for the 22nd IUFoST World Congress to be held in Rimini, Italy from 8 – 12 September. We will see you there!

In addition, after the closing four oversubscribed technical Field trips were arranged to eight participating organisations, which included industry visits, the National University of SIngapore Agritech Centre and National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency.

Look for the photo gallery of scientific sessions and social activities on the IUFoST home page early next week