WUEB and GHI discuss food safety standards 

In May, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business hosted a series of meetings with Dr Diana Bogueva, President of the Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI). The discussions focused on research cooperation, WUEB’s participation in GHI working groups and plans for the GHI Congress in 2027. The visit was hosted by dr hab. inż. Agnieszka Orkusz, prof. UEW, GHI Ambassador in Poland and researcher at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Analysis.

A visit focused on research and institutional cooperation 

The Global Harmonization Initiative brings together experts working on food safety and the harmonisation of standards based on scientific knowledge. The meetings with Dr Diana Bogueva opened a discussion on the involvement of WUEB researchers in GHI’s international work, including the organisation’s working groups, joint research initiatives and the programme of the GHI Congress 2027. 

Dr Diana Bogueva’s research focuses on sustainable food consumption, alternative protein sources, consumer perceptions of new food technologies, and the influence of social and climate change on food choices. 

Dr hab. inż. Agnieszka Orkusz, prof. UEW, was closely involved in organising the meetings and developing cooperation between WUEB and GHI. As GHI Ambassador in Poland, she supports links between the Polish academic community and the international network of experts working on food safety. Her research focuses on food science, human nutrition, food safety and consumer behaviour towards novel foods. 

GHI emphasises that its ambassadors act as individual members, guided by scientific responsibility. Prof. Agnieszka Orkusz’s ambassadorial role involves supporting knowledge exchange, building academic contacts and developing cooperation between research communities at national and international level. 

Students and the discussion on food choices

One of the key parts of the programme was a research seminar at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Analysis. Students presented research projects and product prototypes. The meeting had both an educational and academic dimension, showing how projects carried out at WUEB contribute to the international discussion on food safety, product innovation and consumer expectations. 

During the seminar, Dr Diana Bogueva presented research findings on Generation Z, climate anxiety and its influence on food choices. These issues form part of the research she is conducting during her research stay at Wroclaw University of Economics and Business under the ULAM programme of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The topic is becoming increasingly relevant in consumer behaviour research, as purchasing decisions are shaped by health, environmental issues, product origin and trust in scientific information. 

Meetings with university authorities and departments

An important point in the programme was Dr Diana Bogueva’s meeting with prof. dr hab. Bogusława Drelich-Skulska, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at WUEB. The discussion concerned the GHI Congress 2027 and opportunities to broaden the University’s involvement in the international GHI network. 

Dr Diana Bogueva also met prof. dr hab. inż. Joanna Harasym, Head of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Analysis. The meeting focused on opportunities to develop research cooperation and involve WUEB researchers in initiatives carried out within the Global Harmonization Initiative. 

Dr Diana Bogueva also visited the Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, where she met the Head of Department, dr hab. Lucyna Dymińska, prof. UEW, and the research team: dr inż. Edyta Kucharska, dr Wojciech Sąsiadek and dr Jacek Michalski. The discussions covered plant raw material processing, food quality and functionality, and research on milk thistle seed sprouts. 

Further areas of cooperation between WUEB and GHI

The meetings created space for further cooperation between WUEB and the Global Harmonization Initiative. The areas discussed included greater involvement of WUEB researchers in GHI working groups, student participation in international initiatives and the development of joint research activities. 

For Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, this cooperation offers further opportunities to strengthen its presence in international research on food safety, nutrition and food science. For GHI, cooperation with WUEB provides access to the expertise of researchers working in biotechnology, food analysis, bioorganic chemistry, human nutrition and consumer behaviour research. 

badania.uew.pl – where reliable knowledge calls for competent voices. 

Author of text: Barbara Grzelczak