Busan National University Launches Global Strategy for 'Food-X Cluster' with Netherlands Food Tech Site Visits and Collaboration

Exploring the Global Food Industry Ecosystem:
Visits to Wageningen University, Research Institutes, and Companies
Seeking Sustainable Future Foods
Through Technology Exchange and Joint Research

Busan National University (President Choi Jaewon) has officially begun its global efforts to establish the 'Food-X Cluster,' which aims to lead the future of the world’s food industry. The university visited the Netherlands, a leading country in food tech, to explore its food industry ecosystem and lay the foundation for various international collaborations.

'Food-X' is the new name for 'Total FoodTech,' one of the ten core research areas that Busan National University is focusing on. It aims to conduct advanced, convergent research encompassing the entire food industry.

From June 25 to 28, President Choi Jaewon and the Busan National University delegation visited the Netherlands. They toured the Food Valley agri-food industry cluster in Wageningen?a world-class food tech hub?as well as universities, research institutes, and companies. During these visits, they explored the latest technologies and discussed potential avenues for cooperation.

Following this visit, Busan National University is in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding with Wageningen University, a global leader in food tech, to facilitate student and faculty exchanges and joint research. Based on the sustainable partnership between the two universities, they also plan to co-sponsor an international exchange event in November with StartLife, Wageningen University's industry-academia cooperation organization. StartLife supports European agri-food startups, and through this event, the aim is to facilitate the overseas expansion of Korean fisheries technology and to lay the groundwork for European food tech companies to enter the Korean market.

The Busan National University delegation also visited Eindhoven University of Technology and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences to examine their food tech-related education and research systems and discussed establishing close partnerships in the future. Through exchanges with TNO, a leading institution in 3D food printing technology, they explored future food technologies such as senior-friendly foods, alternative proteins, and military rations, and sought opportunities for collaboration.

After visiting Food Valley, President Choi also inspected the logistics center operated by Busan Port Authority in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to assess the potential for global expansion across the entire food tech ecosystem, including production, processing, distribution, and logistics. Busan National University is working to secure a shared office at the Busan Port Authority facility in Rotterdam. Through this, the university plans to activate research collaborations based on local European networks and establish a base for Korean food tech companies to enter the European market.

President Choi Jaewon stated, "This visit to the Netherlands has served as a bridgehead for Busan’s technology and industry to enter the European market, particularly in the field of food tech," adding, "We will continue to build an industry-academia cooperation ecosystem centered on food tech and strengthen connections with local industries."

To foster food tech, Busan National University has established a joint research center with the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and launched undergraduate and graduate programs in the Green Bio Advanced Convergence Department, thereby strengthening the foundation for training specialized personnel. In addition, the Department of Food Engineering has attracted attention by being selected for an education environment improvement project through industry-academia cooperation with Ottogi Food.

Furthermore, Busan National University has been selected as a new operator of the '2025 Food Tech Contract Department' by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Starting this fall semester, the university will open a master’s program and run field-oriented technical education and industry-academia collaboration projects. In July, the university will co-host a 'Food Tech Forum' with the Korean Society of Food Distribution and hold an appointment ceremony for food tech distinguished professors to strengthen communication among policymakers, industry, and academia.

Busan National University plans to continue expanding its connections with domestic and international research institutes and companies to achieve tangible results as a globally innovative university centered on food tech.