The “International Conference on the Promotion of
Scientific and Regional Cooperation on Food and Agricultural Sciences” which
gathered over 250 academics and experts in the fields of food science and
agriculture as well as university officials from Iran, Iraq and Syria was
hosted by the Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST) on
August 24th, 2018.
“This is the first event which is jointly arranged by
academic centers from Iran, Iraq and Syria in the areas of food science and
agriculture with the aim of expanding international scientific cooperation,”
said Dr. Ghadir Rajabzadeh, the President of RIFST and the Conference Head. He
also added “With honor, we have received 15 university chancellors or faculty
deans from universities of Iraq, and the representative from Iraqi Forum of
Inventors and Officials from Imam Ali’s shrine (Ataba Alavi Al Muqaddasa) also.
Around 150 academic people from Iraq and Syria have participated in this
conference. It has also received a warm welcome from Iranian universities and
we hope long-lasting scientific ties will be established.”
In addition, Prof. Thamer Hamdan, the chancellor of the
University of Basrah delivered a speech in the opening ceremony of the
conference. He stated that it is of great importance for the academic centers
of the neighboring countries who share deep and common religious and cultural
interests to unite and cooperate in order to tackle the present food and agriculture
challenges more effectively.
It is worth noting that around 455 abstracts had been sent
to the secretariat of the conference of which 332 were accepted for oral and
poster presentation. Moreover, following the conference, with the intent to
continue and promote international scientific collaborations, memorandum of
understanding was signed between RIFST and the University of Basrah at the 19thInternational
Exhibition of Food and Food Processing at Mashhad International Exhibition.
Also, Prof. Alireza Koochaki, the iconic figure in the field of agricultural
science, was commended at the opening ceremony of the conference.