The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has introduced a new Post Graduation Diploma in the field of food science. IGNOU has offered this course for a July 2012 session and the last date for the submission of this application forms is 10th September 2012. With theoretical knowledge this course also involved practical knowledge which IGNOU will be providing at its campus, New Delhi.
IGNOU has introduced this program by looking at the need of professional education in the field of food processing sector which is growing a very high pace and professionals are needed for the growth. IGNOU has introduced this course under his School of Agriculture. Even the professionals who are already working in food processing industry can join this course to enhance and brushing up their knowledge.
As IGNOU is a distant learning institute but looking at need of this course IGNOU is setting up a food processing lab to provide practical knowledge to his students, 40% course involves practical knowledge. The Government (Ministry of Food Processing) has given IGNOU 75 Lakhs rupees to establish its food processing lab. The lab will be established in IGNOU campus, New Delhi and at some of its main centres.
This is a one year program that will have two semesters. First semester is all general about food processing and second semester is a specialization in a field in food processing such as vegetables processing, poultry, meat and many more. Graduates in agriculture, horticulture, home science, life science, biotechnology can apply for this course.
Another important thing to consider is that this course involves a practical training of one month in an industry. Students can find jobs in food processing industry and institutes as technologists and managers, food control departments, food safety officers in many government companies and many more.
This entire course offered by IGNOU is very useful for the students who wanted to make their career in food processing sector as well for food processing sector as there is a high demand of professionals in this sector. Being an institute of distant learning many already working people can join this and can enhance their knowledge.