On the morning of 19th Sept., the opening ceremony of the "Joint Laboratory of Sustainable Agri-Food Engineering and Advanced Materials" between Jiangsu University and University of Novi Sad was held in the Blue Hall of the Faculty of Technology Novi Sad (FTNS) in University of Novi Sad. Prof. Branko Markoski, Provincial Secretary for Higher Education and Scientific Research of the AP Vojvodina government, Serbia; and Dr. Nenad Ivanisevic, Provincial Secretary for Economy and Tourism of the AP Vojvodina, Serbia; Prof. Zou Xiaobo, Vice-President of Jiangsu University; Prof. Dejan Madić, Rector of University of Novi Sad; Prof. Biljana Pajin, Dean of FTNS in University of Novi Sad; and Prof. Dragiša Savić, Dean of Faculty of Technology in Leskovac, the University of Nis; Prof. Gao Jing, Chinese Dean of the Confucius Institute at the University of Nis, and Mr. Zoran Trpovski, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Autonomous province of Vojvodina, and over 100 guests from China and Serbia, attended the event. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Jaroslov Katona, Deputy Dean of FTNS as well as the Serbian head of joint laboratory.
The opening ceremony had three main sessions: guest speeches, laboratory exchanges, and China-Serbia cooperation seminar. In his speech, Vice President Zou Xiaobo introduced the general situation of Jiangsu University and the development of food science and technology, and stressed the important role of scientific and technological cooperation in the field of agri-food in China-Serbia exchanges. Branko Makoski and Nenad Ivaniševic warmly congratulated the establishment of the Joint Laboratory of Jiangsu University and University of Novi Sad, and believed that the cooperation between the two sides will not only deepen the "iron" friendship in the field of science and technology, but also play a role in economic exchanges and cooperation. Dejan Madić, President of the University of Novi Sad, expressed his full support for the all-round cooperation with Jiangsu University and firmly believed that the joint laboratory will help the two universities cultivate more international talents.
Subsequently, Branko Makoski, Nenad Ivaniševic, Zou Xiaobo, Dejan Madić, Biljana Pajin, Yaroslav Katona jointly cut the ribbon to unveil the joint laboratory. The participants also visited the analysis center and the pilot plant in Joint Laboratory, the Food Research Institute and the Biosensing Institute in the University of Novi Sad.
In the China-Serbia cooperation seminar, Prof. Biljana Pajin, Dean of FTNS in University of Novi Sad, was hopeful in a speech delivered that the School of Food and Biological Engineering in Jiangsu University and the FTNS in University of Novi Sad will jointly build an international top team in the field of sustainable food engineering for the benefit of the two universities and the two countries as well. Prof. Zou Xiaobo and Prof. Jaroslav Katona, Deputy Dean of FTNS in University of Novi Sad, also shared their own research progress and proposed the implementation path of future joint laboratory work.
On the afternoon of 19th Sept., Vice President Zou Xiaobo and his delegation also visited the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Nis and met with Mr. Miroslav Trajanovic, State Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Development and Innovation of Serbia. The two sides held a warm discussion on the preservation of agricultural products and smart agriculture. Prof. Dragiša Savić, Dean of Faculty of Technology in Leskovac, the University of Nis, led the key teachers to introduce the research results of the institute in food packaging, food active substances, biological materials, etc., and expressed their strong desire to join the joint laboratory of sustainable agri-food engineering and advanced Materials. The three parties all agreed to expand the work content of the joint laboratory and make it a great success for the benefit of the society.
