In this issue:
- Congress Highlights
- IUFoST Governance
WHERE TO BEGIN!
The Congress welcomed 1,338 delegates from more than 55 countries. Thanks are expressed to the sponsors and exhibitors who supported the congress in record numbers. The eight concurrent sessions ran in 76 concurrent rooms 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 abstracts).
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 every one of you have hoped to achieve through the congress be it learning experience or networking with fellow food scientists and technologists."
Well-received pre-congress workshops ushered in the congress. The air of excitement and anticipation began 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, the latter 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) - were 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.
Here is the Congress website for 2024 and register in the Keep Me Updated section 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.
Photo gallery of some of the many scientific sessions and social activities highlights and the winning video of the IUFoST Rose Spiess Award competition are here at https://www.flickr.com/photos/197085917@N03/albums
IUFoST GOVERNANCE CHANGES AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The IUFoST Governance changed at the General Assembly held on 3 November in Singapore on the last day of the 21st World Congress. In the presence of the more than 80 delegates and IUFoST partners, members leaving the Board were thanked for their outstanding work during the past two years, coping with the pandemic issues, responding to the call from the United Nations Food Systems Summit among other challenges and successfully strengthening the voice of IUFoST again internationally. The proof of those successes was apparent throughout the entire World Congress in Singapore. The General Assembly expressed its appreciation to outgoing members Dr. Obadina Adewale (Nigeria) Mr. Richard Khaw (Singapore), Dr. Suzana Lannes (Brazil), Dr. Sebastiano Porretta (Italy) and Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, all of whom will continue to work closely with IUFoST in this coming Term. IUFoST President Vish Prakash was thanked for outstanding leadership in steering the organisation during this turbulent time.
The new Board of Directors was presented. Photos and Biographical details are available here on the IUFoST homepages. In brief, IUFoST welcomes the new Board:
- Dr. Aman Wirakartakusumah, President (Indonesia)
- Dr. Samuel Godefroy, President Elect (Canada)
- Dr. Vish Prakash, Past President (India)
- Dr. Pavinee Chinachoti (Thailand)
- Dr. Alejandra Medrano (Uruguay)
- Dr. Mitsutoshi Nakajima (Japan)
- Dr. Cheikh Ndiaye (Senegal)
- Dr. Pingfan Rao (China)
- Dr. Declan Troy (Ireland)
The President of the IAFoST (International Academy) Dr. Charles Aworh (Nigeria) represents the Academy on the Board and the Chair of the IUFoST Scientific Council Dr. Hongda Chen represents the Scientific Council on the Board. The Secretary-General, Judith Meech remains a member of the Board, non-voting.
Photos and biographies of 2022-2024 Members of the Academy Executive Council and Scientific Council respectively are available on the IUFoST homepages under Academy Executive Council and Scientific Council.
The Early Career Scientists are led during this Term of Office by Dr. Elizabeth Arenas (Philippines). The outgoing ECS Executive was thanked for their long and devoted service - Dr. George Ooko, (Kenya) Dr. Emmanuel Hatzakis, USA) and Dr. Chibuike Udenigwe (Canada). Drs Hatzakis and Udenigwe will hold advisory roles for the ECS during this upcoming term.
In addition, the General Assembly in Singapore agreed to the development of Mid-Career Scientists as a new governance body within IUFoST/IAFoST and its Founding members are Dr. George Ooko, Dr. Emmanuel Hatzakis, Dr. Chibuike Udenigwe and Dr. Obadina Adewale. The General Assembly will hear more from them in the next few months on the structure and actions of this new body.
