Brak – The activities of the Third International Conference on Food and Nutrition commenced in the city of Brak, organized by Wadi El-Shati University in collaboration with the Libyan Society for Food and Nutrition, under the slogan “The Future of Food: Between Science and Innovation.” The event was attended by the President of Wadi El-Shati University and Honorary President of the conference, Abdussalam Al-Muthnani, the President of Fezzan University, Al-Mahdi Al-Jadi, and a number of college deans, researchers, and experts from various Libyan universities and research centers.
The conference aims to study the obstacles facing food manufacturing in Libya, propose appropriate solutions, keep pace with scientific developments in food industry technologies, and benefit from global experiences to localize food industries and achieve self-sufficiency. It also emphasizes the quality and safety of raw materials and water, and promotes a culture of safe food and consumer protection by enacting legislation that guarantees their rights.
In his opening speech, Al-Muthnani explained that the Faculty of Food Sciences at Wadi El-Shati University is the first of its kind in Libya and North Africa, stressing that holding the conference is an important step in solidifying the university’s position as a scientific institution that contributes to serving the community and enhancing national food security.
For his part, the President of the conference, Abulqasim Okasha, pointed out that the rapid development in food production methods and life sciences requires confronting methods that contaminate food and paying attention to scientific research, explaining that the conference embodies this direction through specialized scientific papers.
In turn, the head of the Scientific Committee, Ibrahim Aghribi, affirmed that the committee adopted strict criteria to select 42 research papers out of 60 submitted, with the participation of 28 reviewers from 10 Libyan universities and research centers. The head of the Preparatory Committee, Mohammed Al-Sharif, also reviewed the logistical arrangements that preceded the conference’s launch to ensure the success of its activities.
The opening included the signing of a partnership agreement between Wadi El-Shati University and the Libyan Center for Desert Research and Saharan Communities, in addition to the opening of an exhibition of local food industries and an exhibition of folk collectibles that highlighted the authentic heritage of the region.