The opening of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science and World Food Day was celebrated at ADA University

The Partnership and Coordination Office (FAO) of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Azerbaijan celebrated the opening of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science and the World Food Day in cooperation with ADA University. Officials of the Ministry and State institutions, student-teacher staff of the university, representatives of international organizations and specialists participated in the event.

Rector of ADA University, Hafiz Pashayev who made an opening speech at the event, said that agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the country's economy. This field is not only about the production of food products. Agriculture ensures the country's food security. Rector added to his speech - "Our goal in establishing this faculty is to train competitive personnel in the agricultural field, prepare professionals who can bring scientific and technical progress and innovation". 

Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov emphasized in his speech that the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science will create a basis for the application of various experiences and comparative analyses. Minister Majnun Mammadov noted - "I am sure that the opening of the new faculty will help us to deepen our analyzes on ensuring food and food safety, efficient management of water resources and other important areas of agriculture, expand our scientific research potential in relevant fields, and achieve the set goals by increasing the effectiveness of our efforts. will make an exceptional contribution".

The Deputy Head of the Food Safety Agency, Zakiya Mustafayeva, said that today's climate changes, changing consumer habits, reduction of water resources, scientific and technical innovations, new food sources and production processes are among the serious challenges ahead in ensuring food and food safety: "This taking adequate measures against challenges is possible only with the personnel potential with high indicators. In this regard, Zakiya Mustafayeva called the creation of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at ADA University a commendable event. The deputy chairman of the agency assessed this step as an unparalleled contribution to the agriculture and food system of our country.

At the event, it was stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and AQTA is ready to cooperate with ADA University in the directions of preparing educational programs, conducting mutual exchange of knowledge and experience, involving students in scientific research and experience programs, organizing scientific-research works, joint projects and events in order to effectively establish the work of the faculty. 

Representative of FAO in Azerbaijan, Nasar Hayat spoke about global factors affecting sustainable agriculture, water and food security, and emphasized the importance of proper use of water. At the end of the speech, the video address of Director General of FAO, Gu Dong Yun was broadcast.

After the speech of the Italian ambassador to our country Claudio Taffuri and the video address of the Rector of the University of Bologna, Giovanni Molari, the dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Matteo Vittuari gave information about the faculty. In his speech, the dean touched upon the issues related to bachelor's and master's degrees to be taught from 2024.

It should be noted that the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science was established as a result of cooperation with the University of Bologna within the initiative of the Italy-Azerbaijan University. Undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in the field are offered through this faculty. The bachelor's and master's degrees, which will be opened from 2024, will be taught at the Baku campus of ADA University, regional centers in Gazakh and Ganja.

The event continued with a seminar.

Tasting and presentation of food products of the "Taste of the Homeland" brand, created with the support of FAO were held at the exhibition organized as part of the event.