Between 22nd and 26th April, 2024 the participants of the „FOOD Quality in Digital Age” project visited Lublin and Janów Lubelski in Poland for the final study visit that was organized by the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. It was the 5th event in a row. The visit was combined with Partners’ participation in the 3rd International PhD Students’ Conference: Environment-Plant-Animal-Product where special sessions were dedicated to the “FOOD Quality in Digital Age” project and networking! During the visit, PhD students and researchers from Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia took part in the final module of the training on digital food quality evaluation methods that was conducted at the Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. This module focused on the surface (roughness and optical microscopy) analysis and textural/ rheological properties of food product. Thanks to these tests, it is possible to improve the final quality of food products, i.e. consistency, structure, viscosity or gelling power. The content of the training was overseen by Prof. Bartosz Sołowiej – Coordinator of the project.
As a part of the visit, during the “FOOD QUALITY” session of the 3rd International PhD Students’ Conference: Environment-Plant-Animal-Product, PhD students presented posters or gave oral presentations and each Partner presented its digital method for food quality evaluation, what initiated a networking part of the event. The networking meeting was a great opportunity to learn about the innovative food quality evaluation methods, exchange knowledge and establish valuable interpersonal links!
Within poster session, Best Poster Award was selected. The first place went to a PhD student Ing. Veronika Božena Hendrychová and the second place went to PhD student Mgr. Michal Kolář from Mendel University in Brno, CZ.
In the section of presenting students, among the PhD students participating in the FOOD Quality in Digital Age project, Ing. Mátyás Krisztián Lukács from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The participants of the study visit had a chance to visit breweries in Lublin and Zwierzyniec and an artistic bakery in Lublin, what allowed them to engage with experienced professionals and discuss the current state and future of digitalization in the food industry. PhD students were able to present their current research to the experts and lead a discussion on the implementation of the results into practice. The group of scientists made valuable contacts and together tried to propose a concept for future collaboration.
Students and scientists from all of these countries were actively involved in tasting and preparing traditional pastries in order to compare and discuss the traditional ingredients used in their country with those used in Poland. During each meeting, scientists and students had stimulating discussions to link collaboration in the field of digitalization and modernization in the food industry. This project was very beneficial and enriching for all of us.
The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
