Judith Narvhus receives a prestigious award by the International Dairy Federation

The Award is given by the International Dairy Federation (IDF). The IDF is the leading source of scientific and technical expertise for all stakeholders in the dairy chain. The IDF Recognition Award is the highest distinction given by this organisation.

Narvhus was nominated for her many years of impressive work with research and teaching in dairy technology and dairy microbiology, both in Norway and internationally.

– The Award is a personal recognition for the work that I have done during a long career in Dairy science at NMBU. So this means a great deal to me, said Narvhus.

The Award was given on Wednesday, 14 September at the IDF Dairy Summit, which took place in New Delhi, India.

Scientific recognition

In the nomination, a special emphasis was given to her work over a twenty year period with projects in several African countries, and also in Bosnia and Hercegovina. At the same time, education of NMBU-studenter in dairy subjects, and courses for the industry have also been important. Several of her research projects have led to technological developments and new knowledge in the field. Narvhus has thus contributed to the development of dairy science and technology in several fields.  

– The Award has put dairy science and technology at NMBU even higher on the international dairy scene. Despite being quite a small country, Norway has really a very strong position with high competency and knowledge in dairy science and technology, she says.

500 master students 

Judith Narvhus moved to Norway from England 45 years ago in December 1977, with a newly awarded PhD on human lactobacilli from the University of Surrey in her suitcase. In 1979, she started working at The Agricultural University of Norway (as it was then called) which later became NMBU. She was a researcher on a project financed by the Norwegian Agricultural Research Council and studied a starter culture that had been developed from spontaneously fermented cream.

When Judith retired in 2021, she could look back on a long career of research and teaching at NMBU. 

– The very foundation of a university is research-based teaching. This contributes to a transfer of knowledge to the next generation of dairy researchers and technologists and is important since newly qualified students, with updated knowledge, can enter the industry which then has the possibilities for continual improvements, Narvhus added.  

During the years that she has taught at NMBU, over 500 students have attended various courses in dairy science and technology. About 70 MSc students and 16 PhD students have had Narvhus as supervisor. She is author or co-author of 107 publications in scientific journals and books, 14 media appearances and 130 presentations at conferences and other scientific meetings. 

Narvhus relates how it it has been the microbiological aspects of the dairy field that have been the foundations of her career, including milk quality, starter cultures and fermented milk products. In addition, probiotic bacteria have also been an important field.

From Ethiopia to Bosnia

Between 1990 and 2010, Judith Narvhus participated in and also initiated international cooperation through competency-building research projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. In addition, there have been two projects with Bosnia and Hercegovina. The projects were financed by the Norwegian government and resulted in 14 completed PhD research projects within Food Science at NMBU. Several of the projects were concerned with indigenous, fermented milk products and the PhD candidates were able to return to their positions at sister universities, taking with them valuable and research-based insight as well as knowledge of the use of modern technologies, back to their own universities and the local communities at home.  

– They came home with an excellent starting point for furthering their career and with the possibility of transferring their knowledge to Food Science students in their home country. Several of them have since become professors. I really appreciate having had the opportunity to supervise these students and still have contact with many of them.  Field trips to the rural areas have been truly life-enriching experiences, says Narvhus.

Norway in world class

Judith Narvhus is the second NMBU professor who has received this prestigious IDF award. In 2013, Roger Abrahamsen, from the same dairy research group, received the same award.

–This is a great scientific recognition, and I will say that this also defines our research group in the international arena, said Siv Skeie, professor in Food Science and leader of the research group SciFood.

– IDF hold research and teaching high on their agenda because they acknowledge that knowledge is alpha-omega - not only for dairy product quality but also with sustainability and the environment in   focus. To receive this award from the IDF represents recognition from the world’s highest dairy organisation, Narvhus added.

– Norway can be regarded as absolutely a world leader in dairy science and technology