Food safety and quality discussed at a conference in Astana

This year, the co-organizer and key partner of the conference was the Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University n.a. S. Seifullin (KATIU).

The conference opened with a plenary discussion, to which representatives of the administration of RUDN University and KATIU, ministries and departments, international organizations, research institutes, business communities and the media were invited.

First Vice-Rector — Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs of RUDN University Andrey Kostin, who headed RUDN University delegation in Astana, noted the high level of organization of the event and the current agenda of sections and round tables. The Chairman of the Board — Rector of KATIU Kanat Tireuov — thanked the representatives of RUDN for the fruitful work of the organizing committee, which worked on a daily basis in the last months before the start of the conference:

“This conference is the first step on our long path of cooperation in developing interaction between Kazakhstan and Russia. We want to create a viable and productive link between education, research and industry. Thanks to such events, KATIU has a chance to become a leading scientific and entrepreneurial university, working to transform Kazakhstan not only into a self-sufficient state in food, but also into a country exporting food products to foreign countries,” Kanat Tireuov, Rector of KATIU.

The plenary discussion was moderated by Elvira Dovletyarova, Director of the Agricultural and Technological Institute of RUDN University.

“The Food Quality Food Safety conference is a unique phenomenon of its kind. Having a clearly defined professional and scientific theme, for the third year now the conference has brought together not only specialized experts in the field of food products, but also soil scientists, agronomists, veterinarians, ecologists, sociologists, and specialists in the field of international activities. This suggests that the organizing committee correctly determines the relevance and modern needs of society. It is gratifying to see interest from government structures and departments not only in Russia, but also in Kazakhstan, as well as the business community of both countries. As a result, the conference becomes a multiprofile and interdisciplinary platform for dialogues, discussions, and the search for new forms and opportunities for interaction,” Elvira Dovletyarova, Director of the Agricultural Technological Institute of RUDN University.

The conference comprised four scientific sections:

Among the thematic round tables, the discussion “Scientific journals in global content: the path to seeking cooperation” aroused great interest. The key speaker was Yakov Kuzyakov, professor at RUDN ATI. Chief editors of scientific journals of RUDN and KATIU took part in the round table. The participants discussed issues of cooperation and development of publication activity of scientists from Russia and Kazakhstan.

At the international round table “Kazakhstan — Russia: agriculture today”, experts considered the prospects for the implementation of priority national and international programs and projects, the development and presentation of specific recommendations for solving key problems in the food industry.

On the final day, the conference participants went to the Burabay National Natural Park, where the delegation visited a local farm that specializes in the production of natural dairy products.

This year, the “Food Quality Food Safety” conference was not limited to the participation of the professional and scientific communities. An international autumn online school “Advanced Skills in Agro Research” was organized for students of RUDN University and KATIU, where 92 listeners registered. The school was divided into two modules: full-time and distance learning. The first took place at KATIU from September 18 to 23 — students met their future lecturers and tutors, and also participated in the events of the “Food Quality Food Safety” conference.

“I learned a lot of new and useful things, saw a beautiful country and met interesting people. The warm welcome of our colleagues from Kazakhstan will forever remain in my memory. Such interesting projects definitely need to be developed and expanded. Thank you for the opportunity!” — Sofya Betreddinova, 3rd-year student, Agricultural and Technological Institute, “Standardization and Metrology”.

Until October 21, students enjoyed distance learning under the guidance of specialists from RUDN University and KATIU. They studied the following modules: “Methodology of scientific research”, “Applied aspects of geographic information systems. Application of GIS technologies in territorial management”, “Animal breeding, genetics and selection”, and “Principles of abdominal surgery of small animals”.

“We are pleased that the educational modules planned for study as part of the autumn school are arousing great interest among students. This year more than 90 participants are registered for the school. This is undoubtedly a good result. We will try to ensure that our students gain new knowledge and competences by working in close collaboration with teachers from RUDN University and KATIU,” Elena Pakina, scientific director of the school.

Photo courtesy of Danil Akramov, press officer at KATIU n.a.S. Seifullin.