From June 17th to 18th, International Symposium on Delivery of Functionality in Complex Food Systems (DOF 2021) was held at GTIIT. This is the first time that the conference comes to the Far East. It was held in hybrid mode – on-site in GTIIT and online as well. 40 scholars from about 12 countries including China, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Israel, Germany, etc. presented the cutting-edge researches focusing on health-forwarding, sustainability-focused, and personalized food systems. 

At the opening ceremony on June 17th, Prof. Yigal Achmon, Chairman of the conference from GTIIT Biotechnology and Food Engineering Program, gave a warm welcome to the participants. He said the conference focused on the role that food will play in our lives in the future. "We may not need drugs and can replace many things with personalized food in the future. This is a very cutting-edge academic discussion."

Prof. David Gershoni, Vice Chancellor of GTIIT participated the conference online. He said that DOF 2021 was an interdisciplinary symposium about different research areas, including food science and engineering, biophysics, applied soft matter, food technology, applied human nutrition with a diverse plethora of participants, such as academia, industry and young researchers from diverse places around the world.

Prof. Lin Danming, Pro-Vice Chancellor of GTIIT delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. "Shantou is famous for its delicious food in China. I hope the academic community and enterprises can take advantage of this rare opportunity to communicate and achieve in food health and other related fields in the future."

Prof. Harold Corke, Dean for Research gave a brief introduction to GTIIT Biotechnology and Food Engineering Program, including laboratory facilities, research areas, interdisciplinary research centers, etc. He also took this opportunity to recruit talents and welcomed more scholars to join the world-class scientific research platform at GTIIT.

"It shows that experts and scholars from all over the world have attached great importance to GTIIT to hold this world-class academic symposium here. As a young university, GTIIT has established a very complete biology department and world-class labs. We all looking forward to the bright future of GTIIT!" Prof. Dganit Danino, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Head of Biotechnology and Food Engineering Program, sent her best wishes to the symposium online.

Huang Huaguang, Deputy Director of the Management Committee of Shantou High-tech Zone, said that active measures would be taken to promote innovation and build closer ties between enterprises and universities.

During the two days, GTIIT teachers and students participated actively in this high-level and large-scale international conference. Excellent students from Biotechnology and Food Engineering Program presented their research through posters and shared their research achievements on stage. Faculty reported latest progress of related topics, to promote international exchanges and academic development.

A new theme – Chinese Industry was added as one of the sessions, which hoped to apply theoretical knowledge of food engineering into the practice of Chinese industry, promoting the long-term development of food engineering.

At the closing ceremony on the 18th, Prof. Yigal Achmon, the chairman of the conference, expressed his sincere thanks to all participants and expressed his high expectations for the next DOF conference to be held in Australia in 2023.

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs