WELCOME

This symposium is dedicated to modelling and its applications throughout the agri-food-chain as an innovative technology. We all are convinced of the power of modelling and simulation. We all are convinced of the benefits it can bring to research, industry and trade. And we all are convinced we make the best models in the world. And of course everybody is convinced the models he makes are correct and applicable. And of course that is correct.

But are our models applicable in any situation? Not only in those situations that are comparable to the ones the model is based upon or calibrated against? We have to question ourselves what specifications our models have to meet. Now, it becomes time to convince commercial companies that they can benefit from this new technology.

When an expert on fresh product has to build a model on the behaviour of fresh produce, it seems quite all right when he comes up with the verbal model ‘Fruit Physiology’. This verbal model works fine most of the times. When he, however, starts to write it down, it comes out like ‘Phrute Fisyology’'. Nobody seems to understand him anymore. Simulations start to deviate from reality. So, in essence the model is OK, but we have to dig in deeper into reality to discover and to understand the processes that occur in nature and to describe them as good as possible, but always in a consistent manner.

This Symposium is aimed at fulfilling this need, by listening to one another, by looking to one another's works, but above all by exchanging views and techniques. So, do not hesitate to take contact with each other, and be willing to share your knowledge and points of view with anyone who asks for it. This is what Model-IT is really all about.

To put your mind at the start of this meeting at a different angle about modelling, I want to read to you the Model of the Golden Coins.

Pol Tijskens
Convener