Nutrition & Food Technology
CAREER OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS:
Graduates of the Nutrition Science and Food Technology programmes will have diverse career opportunities, including but not limited to:
- Public Health Nutritionists in government agencies or NGOs focusing on nutrition education, disease prevention, and food security.
- Researchers in academic institutions, government research bodies, and private companies developing new nutritional products or food technologies.
- Nutrition Consultants providing services in nutrition counselling, diet planning, and wellness coaching.
- Food Technologists working in food safety, product development, quality assurance, and innovation in the food industry.
- Health Educators working in schools, community health programs, fitness centres, and wellness initiatives.
- Sports Nutritionists advising athletes and fitness enthusiasts on nutrition for performance and recovery.
EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS AGENDA:
Both the Nutrition Science and Food Technology programmes will contribute directly to the employment and skills agenda. Students will gain work-based learning opportunities through internships and collaborations with hospitals, food technology companies, research centres, and healthcare institutions. These placements will ensure that students develop job-ready skills and gain practical experience in the rapidly evolving fields of nutrition science and food technology.
BSc Nutrition
Aims:
Nutrition science is a specialized field that aims to achieve optimal functional performance of the human body through healthy nutrition and therapeutic nutrition. It studies the body’s interactions with nutrients, including what happens to food during cooking, after eating, or inside the body, in order to achieve biological balance. Nutrition science is concerned with studying the relationship between dietary patterns and health conditions, ranging from malnutrition to optimal health. Many common diseases and symptoms can be prevented or alleviated through better nutrition.
Nutrition programs can be designed to combat malnutrition, which includes both undernutrition (e.g., micronutrient deficiencies, stunting, wasting) and overnutrition (e.g., obesity). These programs aim to ensure that individuals receive the right balance of nutrients to support their growth and well-being.
Improved nutrition can lead to increased workforce productivity, lower healthcare costs, and reduced healthcare burdens. As a result, nutrition programs can offer significant economic benefits at the individual, community, and national levels.
BSc Food Technology
Aims:
Food Technology field plays a crucial role in advancing the understanding of food science and technology, as well as its application in various industries. The program’s primary aim revolves around enhancing food safety, quality, and sustainability.
One of the primary objectives of the Food Technology program is to ensure the safety of the food supply. Through rigorous research, analysis, and development of innovative technologies, the field works towards preventing foodborne illnesses, contamination, and spoilage. By implementing effective food safety protocols and systems, also to enhance the overall quality of food products. This involves optimizing the sensory attributes, nutritional value, and shelf-life of foods through various processing and preservation techniques. By employing advanced methods such as encapsulation, fermentation, and novel packaging materials, the department strives to maintain the freshness and texture of foods while minimizing the use of additives and preservatives.
The program aims to equip students with practical skills through hands-on laboratory experiences, industrial internships, and real-world projects. By working with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies commonly used in the food industry, students gain valuable experience in food processing, quality assurance, food safety and product development. This practical exposure not only enhances their technical proficiency but also enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities essential for success in the workplace