Joint inaugural lecture by Prof. Dr. Fabian Weber and Prof. Dr. Bettina König

Prof. Dr. Fabian Weber, who represents the Department of Organic Food Quality, opened the lecture with his presentation on "Secondary plant substances and sustainable food processing". He explained how important these substances are not only for our health, but also for sustainable nutrition. Prof. Dr. Bettina König, Head of the Department of Sustainability Management in the International Food Industry, then took over. Her presentation "Food systems between sustainability and innovation" highlighted the complex challenges and opportunities that lie in the combination of sustainable practices and innovative approaches.

The interactive interdisciplinary format was particularly special:  As in a well-coordinated tennis match, they played the content-related balls between the molecular level and global challenges with a pinch of humor. Following the lecture, the new department heads, supported by their respective teams, invited the audience to a convivial drink, where they also enjoyed specially baked "fortune cookies" with questions on sustainability transformation in the spirit of the circular economy.