Aarhus University is a member of a new cluster partnership on food. Businesses, food organisations, public organisations and Aarhus University will collaborate to create innovation and promote Denmark as a leader in the food sector.

2013.09.17

Silicon Valley is a magnet for innovative businesses and scientists in the computer industry.  The new cluster partnership on food aims to do the same for the food sector: to generate and realise ideas in close collaboration between businesses, scientists, students organisations and government.

The cluster partnership will be headquartered in Aarhus and will represent all of Denmark’s innovative forces in the food sector and promote Denmark as a leading producer and developer of ?healthy, safe and sustainable food.

Attracting talents

Society as a whole will benefit from the cluster partnership, which will stimulate growth and help create jobs. For Aarhus University, the partnership will help make the university even more attractive.

»It will be easier for us to attract talented students who will be able to see career options in the food sector. This is true for both Danish and international students,« explains Michelle H. Williams, head of the Department of Food Science at Aarhus University.

The partnership will give scientists and students a unique insight into the engine room of the food industry, and they will be able to work on projects that are directly related to what’s needed in »the real world«.

More contact between the university and business

The multinational dairy corporation Arla Foods, which is headquartered in Aarhus, is an important member of the partnership.

»Denmark doesn’t have the same tradition as other countries for such close contact between business and the universities, but we hope that this will develop through the cluster partnership. For example, we’ll be able to give students an understanding that innovation isn’t something you can learn by reading a book. The road from idea to capitalisation is often long and difficult,« says Henrik Jørgen Andersen, head of Open Innovation at Arla.

In addition to being able to create innovation through the collaboration with Aarhus University, Arla also expects to be able to recruit new talent.

»Aarhus University is one of the competence centres where we will be recruiting new staff, so we hope to meet some capable people who can see Arla’s potential,« explains Andersen.

From the farm to the fork

Food science is a prioritised area at Aarhus University, and the university can contribute research covering the food chain from farm to fork to the cluster partnership.

»We work on the entire spectrum from primary food production through technology and the consumer aspect to heath, and since there aren’t any interior barriers between the different research fields at the university, we have a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary research initiatives,« says Williams.

 

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The cluster partnership on food

Objectives: To create innovation in the food sector through cooperation between large and small businesses, research institutions, food organisations and government.

Partners: Arla Foods, Aarhus University, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, Central Denmark Region, the Municipality of Aarhus.

Secretariat: To be housed in Agro Park in the Aarhus suburb Skejby, where the Danish Agriculture and Food Council is located. The cluster partnership will be directed by a board.