Description
In order to become a modern and internationally recognized university, internationalisation and international cooperation has become an integral part of Latvia University of Agriculture, with a focus on planning study processes, establishing scientific activities and administrative work. The aim of the mobility project is to get acquainted with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences' facilities, curricula, as well as develop cooperation in projects related to raw materials and food quality research. The project objective is to secure experience and knowledge for academic staff, foster development of human resources and secure synergy between both activities of the programme. Expected outputs are: stimulated bilateral relations and improved academic knowledge and skills (e.g. participants will enrich their cultural experience, improve language skills and engage in international discussion in their field of study). On a broader level, the project will establish collaboration between the partner institutions and lay the foundation for future joint projects. There are 4 mobility planned in the food technology area. The expected benefits for participants are improved skills in grain processing technologies and dairy products. The foreseen updated curriculum will raise competitiveness and recognition for the university. The Norwegian University of Life Sciences is chosen as a project partner, based on current successful inter-institutional cooperation. Taking into account the high quality of education and research activities in the partner institution, it will contribute in developing competences for all persons involved in the mobility. The partnership will help to achieve better results in research projects, and promote strategic goals of both partner institutions.
Summary of project results
Purpose of the mobility was to get acquainted with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences facilities, curricula, what University offers for students and staff, as well as develop cooperation in projects related to raw materials and food quality research. Also to carry out experimental work in laboratories. There were 4 academic staff mobility planned in food technology area and all 4 are implemented. During the visits, staff worked in different laboratories, learned practical skills about rheological properties of grain processing technology (malting, brewing and dairy processing) and dairy products (determining the protein composition and structure of the amino acid content and composition of volatile compounds in cheese). Main conclusions after the mobility are: premises and equipment at Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU) are adequate to carry out high-quality research in the food sector; NMBU and LLU have similar equipment and research directions, allowing the future cooperation in various projects; meeting with Norwegian scientists strengthened the belief that there is a need to write publication with high citation index, because it is an opportunity to become recognizable in Europe and the world.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership helped to achieve better results in Research projects, as well as strategic goals of both partner institutions. During the mobility, staff members and the project partner met with scientists working in the food sensory evaluation - in the field of new evaluation and data processing mathematical methods development - at the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture, which is a leading research institute of food and aquaculture. New connections were made and a future cooperation is considered. Cereal fields were explored in Tjotta and Apelsvoll as well during the exchange to Norway. During the mobility the participants visited the leading Norwegian dairy company "Tine". This was a valuable opportunity to get acquainted with different types of equipment, product mix, and the methods used for product quality control in a large company.\