By: Amy DeJong

Jay Gilbert and I recently represented IFTSA at the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) World Congress in Montreal, Canada on August 17-21.  We spent the week getting to know food science students from all over the world and also had the exciting opportunity to build stronger connections with student members in Canada.

Upon arrival, we weren’t sure what to expect. We didn’t know if students from around the world had heard about IFT/IFTSA or if they were members of similar organizations in their home countries. After meeting students from Ireland, Canada, Portugal, Brazil, Iran, South Africa, Japan, and China, to name a few, we found that nearly all of them desired and were excited about the opportunity to join a global organization.  Many had actually attended the 2014 IFT Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

Additionally, we met with Pingfan Rao, IUFoST President and Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) Vice President, to talk about some exciting opportunities for collaboration between our two organizations.

We are looking forward to some exciting global opportunities on the horizon for IFTSA and wish you all a great start to the school year!

Amy DeJong

IFTSA President Elect
adejong@wisc.edu
Twitter: @AmyEDeJong

Jay Gilbert

IFTSA President
Jaygilbert53@yahoo.com
Twitter: @JayTGilbert