On December 6, 2023, the event event “Current Trends in Food Science & Human Nutrition” was held in Patras, Greece, co-organized by the PSEK of the Western Greece Region, SEVT & the Greek Technology Platform “Food for Life”. The event was hosted at the conference center of the Hellenic Open University (HOU), in Patras.
The main focus of the event was to present the current trends in food science, the strategic axes, perspectives, actions and synergies that are developing, around research and innovation, at the regional and national levels, with a view to the evolution of the sector of Agri-food.
The event was initiated by Mr. Ioannis Kalavrouziotis, President of the Hellenic Open University and president of PSEK Region of Western Greece, who welcomed the participants, and mentioned the importance of the establishment of the Research Center of Western Greece. Moreover, Mr. Kalavrouziotis stated that the HOU has the will, the infrastructure, and the know-how to support all innovation development efforts within the region.
Mr. Fokion Zaimis, Vice-Regional Governor for Entrepreneurship, Research and Innovation, Region of Western Greece, emphasized the systematic effort made by the Regional Authority in recent years for the development and economic upgrading of the Region, through various initiatives, many of which relate to and promote innovation.
The Deputy Minister of Development, Mr. Maximos Senetakis, and the Secretary General of Research and Innovation, Mr. Athanasios Kiriazis, participated online in the conference. Both of them, after expressing their support for the initiative of the Region regarding the establishment of the Research Center of Western Greece, presented the strategies and priorities of the Ministry of Development and the General Secretary for Research and Innovation, for strengthening the agri-food sector and addressing modern challenges, “so that to open new paths in agri-food and consumer consciousness”.
Ms. Vaso Papadimitriou, General Manager of SEVT, highlighted the importance of Innovation and pointed out that, within the framework of the Hellenic Technology Platform (ETP), the Food & Beverage Industry promotes the essential interconnection of food businesses with higher education and research for the productive transformation of the country and regional development through its participation in the Regional R&D Councils.
In the 4 sections of the event, notable representatives from the Public Sector, the Academic and Research field as well as the Industry participated with speeches and presentations.
- The Branch of Agri-Food in the modern environment
- Research & Innovation: Pillars of development of the Agri-Food Sector
- Modern Trends in Food Science & Human Nutrition
- Successful examples of business collaborations with research institutions.
Dr. Natasa Kapetanakou from SEVT, successfully presented PestNu project during the event.