Gulu University Department of Food Science

The Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology within the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment (FAE) is very relevant in responding to the Uganda Government policy of reducing wastage and value addition to agricultural produce, as well as food and nutrition security. The Department has developed and is responsible for offering two programmes at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Departmental Programmes:
Bachelor of Science in Food and Agribusiness (BFA)
This is a four years undergraduate programme which is a hybrid that encompasses both the business and entrepreneurial development/management and scientific/ technical aspects of postharvest, food processing/value addition. The programme is designed to produce graduates with knowledge and skills to develop and manage agri-food enterprises in addition to seeking employment and provision of advisory services in the agri-food sector. Implementation of the programme started in the 2015/2016 academic year.

Master of Science in Food Security and Community Nutrition (MFN)
The MSc. (FSCN) degree programme is a unique graduate programme developed in the Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology (FSPHT) within FAE, premised upon the significance of the impact of food and nutrition security on human and national development. Since the World Food Summit of 1974 and 1996, Food Security issues have been key on development portfolios in developing countries and globally.

The MSc. programme was developed with the philosophy of meeting the manpower needs for addressing the challenges of food insecurity, community nutrition and livelihoods. Particularly, there is need for more graduates to undertake problem-solving research on food and nutrition security to inform the policy formulation process. The approach in the MSc. FSCN Curriculum hinged on building capacity for integrating nutrition and food security in all aspects of agricultural production, postharvest management and marketing process in a holistic manner.

The two-year MSc. programme consists of course work in year one (Semester 1 and 2); and in year two (semester 3 and 4) the candidates cover the following:
• Research and Thesis writing
• Community Attachment

Implementation of the programme commenced in the 2014/2015 academic year; and to date nine (9) candidates have graduated with MSc. (FSCN) of Gulu University. The programme is now being reviewed as required by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), for academic programmes to be reviewed every four year of implementation.

In addition to the two programmes, the Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology offers a number of courses in the following programmes in the FAE:
• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
• Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Agri-Entrepreneurship and Communication Management

Departmental Research Activities:
The research activities of the Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology by academic staff and graduate students cover the following areas, among others:
• Food and nutrition security.
• Household food security and livelihoods.
• Complementary food formulation to address malnutrition in children.
• Community nutrition studies /assessment.
• Food safety and quality evaluation.
• Postharvest technology and management.
• Food processing and product development.
• Aflatoxin contamination of grains and other food products.
• Impact of climate variability on food and nutrition security.

See Also:

Gulu University Biosystems Engineering Department

Gulu University Department of Environment and Natural Resources Management

Gulu University Department of Animal Production & Range Management