Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and Oregon State University (USA) signed a cooperation agreement on March 13, 2026 to expand their collaboration in research and teaching. The aim is to strengthen scientific exchange and develop joint projects in the field of sustainable food production. The signing took place during a two-day workshop on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis.
"International cooperation is very important for a university of applied sciences. They open up new opportunities for innovative solutions in research and teaching. We need this exchange in particular in order to put new findings into practice and develop them further together with local companies and businesses," says University President Prof. Dr. Jörg Bagdahn, who co-signed the agreement on site. "The plans include joint research projects, guest lectures and exchange programs for students and academics. That is why several professors from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences from the Departments of Agriculture, Ecotrophology and Landscape Development as well as Applied Biosciences and Process Engineering took part in a two-day workshop in Oregon," continued Bagdahn.
The workshop took place on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis. The scientists from both universities exchanged views on current research topics such as sustainable food processes, alternative proteins and fermentation and biotechnology processes. In addition to specialist presentations, the program also included laboratory visits, discussions with researchers on site and the planning of joint teaching and exchange formats. In addition to President Prof. Dr. Jörg Bagdahn, Prof. Dr. Mike Eberle, Prof. Dr. Monika Brückner-Gühmann, Prof. Dr. Jana Rödig and Prof. Dr. Jean Titze also took part in the delegation from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
One of the highlights of the visit was the signing of the cooperation agreement. "The DNA of our two universities is very similar: both institutions have distinctive profiles in Agriculture and Food Technology and combine scientific research with practical application and international cooperation. These similarities provide an excellent basis for a long-term scientific partnership," emphasizes Bagdahn.
InFonaL research center bundles research into sustainable food production
The collaboration is closely linked to the interdisciplinary research center for sustainable food production (InFonaL) at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. Innovative processes for resource-saving and CO₂-reduced food production are to be developed at this new anchor point in Köthen.
Prof. Dr. Zeynep Atamer will head up the new research center. She has been Professor of Food Process Engineering at the Department of Applied Biosciences and Process Engineering at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences since February 1. She was previously an assistant professor and senior scientist in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, USA. With her international research experience, she will play a key role in the establishment and further development of the InFonaL research center.
More information:
www.hs-anhalt.de/infonal
