Second-year students of the Food Technology program at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food at UBT attended an open lecture dedicated to the European agri-food innovation ecosystem, gaining first-hand insight into the global challenges of food systems and the key role innovation plays in designing the food of the future.
The guest at this academic event was Esmeralda Ballesha, member of the EIT Food RIS Policy Council, who shared with the students concrete experiences and European models on how innovation is built through close collaboration between universities, businesses, policymakers, and consumers.
Special attention was given to EIT Food, as one of the most important European mechanisms aiming to create a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food system. Students were informed about the concrete opportunities this European network offers for young people, including lifelong learning programs, professional certifications, interdisciplinary training, as well as support schemes for innovative ideas and startups in the agri-food sector.
During the discussions, the importance of local production, food safety, and the sustainability of the value chain was also highlighted, as well as the role that young professionals, trained at high-quality academic institutions like UBT, can play in transforming the food sector at both national and regional levels.
Given that the global food system today faces deep social, environmental, and economic challenges that require immediate and innovative solutions, UBT is increasingly asserting its role as an active player in the European ecosystem of knowledge and innovation, preparing students capable of contributing with ideas, scientific research, and entrepreneurship to the building of a sustainable food future.
