Review: Virtual national trip to FrieslandCampina

On the first of April, the second National Trip of this year took place. We made a digital visit to FrieslandCampina’s Research and Development center, during which we learnt a lot about all FrieslandCampina’s activities and products. FrieslandCampina is a super interesting company that operates all over the world and produces loads of different products, varying from yoghurt to milk foam and from animal-based to plant-based.
During the trip, we first had an introductory talk from Margrethe Jonkman, the director of the FrieslandCampina research center.
After that, Arjen Nauta and Hannemieke Luyten explained to us the differences between working in a company and working in academia. This was very interesting and educative to all, as us students sooner or later have to choose what kind of work would be most suitable for us. During the organisation of the trip, Arjen also was our main contact-person, and he really put a lot of effor into this trip for which we are very grateful!
Then we had two breakout sessions. For these sessions there were five different talks, each done by two speakers, and all students had chosen their two favourite topics beforehand. The topics of the talks were very interdisciplinary, varying from infant formula powders to the role of dairy protein in excercise to milk foam and to big data. All of them were very interesting!
The trip ended with a Q&A-session, during which all of the speakers answered questions from the students.
A very enjoyable and educative trip indeed!

Andrea of the National Trip Committee