Srinagar: A three-day international conference on ‘Interface between Agriculture, Food, Chemical and Biological Sciences’ started at the University of Kashmir on Wednesday.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan inaugurated the conference, organised by the varsity’s Department of Food Science and Technology.
In her presidential address, Prof Nilofer said such important conferences offer a platform to young students and research scholars to exchange ideas and learn from the expertise of top-notch scientists from across the world.
Saying that exchange of knowledge is a key to achieve academic excellence, Prof Nilofer underlined the need for academic institutions to “shun working in isolation” and encourage students and faculty exchange programmes to solve pressing societal issues through multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research.
The VC complimented the Food Technology Department for its rich growth trajectory and for organising the current event that brings scientists and students from different parts of the country and abroad together, in online and offline modes.
Dean Academic Affairs Prof Farooq A Masoodi, who was a guest of honour, said the basic objective of the conference is to critically analyse the food science interfaces, promote national and international partnerships and to “explore how institutions can move forward with shared knowledge and ideas”.
In his special address, Prof Alok Srivastava, President, Association of Food Scientists and Technologists India (AFSTI), said such conferences lead to building new institutional connectivity besides increasing visibility of knowledge produced therein. He underlined the importance of developing new tools to check food safety and security, saying such innovations can be possible only with collaborations and exchange of knowledge.
