Professor Jasmina Havranek, Ph.D., Director of the Agency for Science and Higher Education, was nominated for the World Food Prize. This is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals from various fields who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. The prize has come to be known as the “Nobel Prize for Food” and has been awarded since 1987.
At the invitation of the President of the Foundation which awards the prize and a former World Food Prize laureate, Kenneth M. Quinn, the Croatian Academy of Arts and Science this year put up Professor Jasmina Havranek, Ph.D. as its candidate. A renowned expert in the region in the field of milk production and food safety, Professor Havranek has a long-standing career in research and teaching. Her work centers on the fulfilment of one main goal – reducing hunger through sustainable milk production and processing of local products thus increasing revenues and improving the quality of life in rural areas. During her career she was engaged in research, education and practical application of research results in the field of milk production in large dairies and small farms. She was the first person in Croatia to intensify and improve research in the production of indigenous varieties of cheese and the improvement of milk production. As teacher and researcher as well as director of the Agency for Science and Higher Education, Professor Havranek has been active in continuous quality assurance in higher education and science.
The candidacy for this prestigious prize is valid for a period of three years, and the winner is selected by the Selection Committee chaired by the President Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan. Known for starting the “Green Revolution” in India, Dr. Swaminatham received the first World Food prize for spearheading the introduction of high-yielding varieties to India’s farmers. The Committee also has various successful individuals as members, with the president of the Foundation as advisor.
This year the World Food prize has been awarded to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed from Bangladesh, the founder and president of BRAC, a unique organisation characterised by many as the most effective organisation fighting poverty in the world.
