A delegation from the State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE) participated in the 22nd Symposium of the International Society of Commodity Science and Technology (Internationale Gesellschaft für Warenkunde und Technologie – IGWT) titled “From Commodity to Quality: Shaping a Sustainable Future” and the 3rd International Conference on Quality and Management Sciences (ICQMS), held on September 9–11, 2026, at the Poznań University of Economics and Business. 

Nearly 120 participants representing 34 universities and organizations from 12 countries worldwide – including Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine and the United States – attended the IGWT Symposium and ICQMS Conference. 
The SUTE delegation comprised:

• Taras Karavayev, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Professor, Professor at the Department of Commodity Science and Customs Affairs;
• Olena Sydorenko, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Professor, Head of the Department of Commodity Science and Pharmacy;
• Maryna Kotova, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor at the Department of Logistics and Commercial Business. 

The delegates actively engaged in plenary sessions, as well as in the evaluation and discussion of oral and poster presentations during both scientific events.

This year's events carried profound symbolic importance, coinciding with two significant anniversaries:

• The 50th anniversary of the founding of the IGWT;
• The 100th anniversary of the founding of the Poznań University of Economics and Business – a long-standing and trusted partner of SUTE.

During the academic sessions, oral presentations were delivered in English to the international scientific community:

• Prof. Anatolii Mazaraki, Prof. Nataliia Prytulska, Prof. Taras Karavayev – «Commodity Science: Systemic Challenges of the XXI Century».
• Prof. Olena Sydorenko, PhD student Vadym Haiev, Assoc. Prof. Olena Sevastyanova – «Digital Ecohydrology as a Basis for Adaptive Management of Aquatic Ecosystems». 

Both presentations sparked engaging debates and constructive academic discussions. SUTE scholars also participated in plenary sessions where international counterparts presented insightful papers aligned with the conference program. 

Prof. T. Karavayev was honored to chair Session 4: "Products Quality and Sustainability," successfully fulfilling this prestigious role.

Within the framework of the IGWT Symposium and ICQMS Conference, the SUTE delegation participated in a roundtable discussion on “Commodity Science: Retrospective and Perspectives”. During the discussion of key agenda items, SUTE representatives briefed international colleagues on the current state of commodity science in Ukraine, highlighting the activities of university departments and faculties, as well as educational programs training specialists for trade, commodity science, customs affairs, and entrepreneurship. Foreign scholars were invited to submit research papers to SUTE’s peer-reviewed journals, with all relevant access details and links provided for: 

• Commodity Science. Technology. Engineering.
• Scientia Fructuosa.

The delegation also contributed to discussions on other key agenda items, including future publishing prospects for the IGWT journal Forum Ware, as well as potential support mechanisms provided by the IGWT to national associations of commodity scientists and technologists.

On September 10, 2026, representatives of SUTE and Ukraine, namely members of the Ukrainian Society of Commodity Science and Technology (USCST), attended the IGWT General Assembly meeting. A series of decisions crucial for both the international and Ukrainian commodity science communities were adopted. The membership of Ukrainian representatives in the IGWT was formally confirmed and institutionalized: 

• Anatolii Mazaraki, Dr. Sc. (Econ.), Professor, Rector of SUTE – Honorary Member of the IGWT;
• Nataliia Prytulska, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Professor, First Vice-Rector of SUTE, President of USCT – Vice-President of the IGWT;
• Taras Karavayev, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Professor at the Department of Commodity Science and Customs Affairs, Scientific Secretary of USCT – Deputy General Secretary of the IGWT;
• Olena Sydorenko, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Professor, Head of the Department of Commodity Science and Pharmacy – Auditor of the IGWT.

Throughout the international forum, university delegates conducted bilateral meetings and negotiations with academics and practitioners from various countries. These discussions focused on exchanging professional experience and outlining future horizons for bilateral cooperation between SUTE and foreign partner institutions. Key priorities included deepening international scientific collaboration, preparing joint publications for indexed scientific databases, implementing grant-funded projects, and exploring further strategic initiatives.

Taras Karavayev,
Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Professor, Professor at the Department of Commodity Science and Customs Affairs,
Responsible Secretary of the Ukrainian Society of Commodity Science and Technology,
Deputy General Secretary of the IGWT