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 Activities:IUFoST Sub Saharan Distance Education Initiative: Second pilot module testing begins in January 2011 for Dehydration and Drying introductory and intermediate courses.The Third Module will be coming out Summer 2011. Background: The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) has identified the development of a training program for food industry workers in Sub-Saharan Africa as a major initiative. Training of these individuals is viewed as one way of addressing problems associated with establishing a reliable and sustainable supply of safe and nutritious food for the people of this region. Reduction of poverty and hunger is a United Nations' Millennium Development Goal and is one that IUFoST is ideally qualified to address. Module Development: IUFoST's Distance Education Task Force chaired by Dr. Daryl Lund has recruited a group of well-known scientists to prepare a set of training modules to meet its training objectives. There will ultimately be nine subject-matter modules in the Sub-Saharan Distance Education Initiative. Each module will have one to three levels (introductory, intermediate and advanced) depending on the subject matter. The modules are:
"Dehydration and Drying" has been selected as a pilot module. It will be used for assessing methods of course delivery; developing the course infra-structure and evaluation process; and establishing the suitability of the material for our intended target audience of food industry workers. Each of the three courses within this module has been reviewed by members of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST). So that we can assure that the information in the modules is relevant to the situation in SSA, we are seeking "mentors" to serve as collaborators with the module developers. Role of the Mentors: The overall Distance Education Initiative is very much a team approach and, as such, it is extremely important to have active involvement of those who may be involved in the actual delivery of the course material. We need eyes and ears on the ground to determine if these courses are addressing perceived training needs. It is important to have realistic case studies and sample problems that are relevant to the students' geographical area or food processing activities. We must also not overlook gathering information on specific training needs that mentors can bring to our attention. Initially, the mentors in each subject area will assist the module developers in assessing the applicability of the subject matter and how well this material fits into the overall educational framework. They will provide insight into specific regional needs and suggest ways in which the modules can be fine-tuned to deliver quality instruction at the appropriate level. Mentors should be familiar with the particular subject area in which they will be providing feedback. Once the modules have been revised and the courses are ready to be offered to students, the mentors' roles will change to one of acting as a local resource to assist in the delivery of the actual course material.
__________________________________________________________ SSA MODULE DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATORS NEEDED - JOIN US!If you are involved in food industry management or R & D sector, in the classroom or in other areas of food science and technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, we invite you to partner with us to provide expert resource by reviewing the modules being developed, identifying location-specific examples and by working alongside us as a Module Development Co-ordinator. As SSA coordinator, you will be asked to review the modules, according to your areas of expertise, to identify location-specific examples of agricultural and agri-food practices, to arrange for video of examples of these in operation and to commit to active engagement throughout the delivery of the pilot project. With this invitation, IUFoST offers you the opportunity to be involved in an important and needed project and to work with other food scientists and technologists of international reputation. Click here for more information from the latest issue of Newsline If you are interested in the opportunity, please contact: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Distance Education Approach to Food Science Training in Sub-Saharan AfricaMercer, D.G.1, Lund, D.B.2, Meech, J.S.3
Abstract:A safe, nutritious, and dependable food supply is essential for any society to support and sustain its development. The food processing sector relies upon quality raw food stocks for conversion into affordable marketable products that can reach the consumer through a reliable distribution system. It is the purpose of this paper to outline the development of instructional material for the distance education of food industry workers in sub-Saharan Africa, which is critical at each stage of the food production continuum. Proposed Training Modules:The IUFoST Distance Education Task Force has proposed the development of a set of nine teaching modules in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition for use in training food industry employees. These modules include:
Each training module will be developed to suit the needs of the region and will employ examples of representative materials relevant to the agricultural and agri-food practices of sub-Saharan Africa. Members of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST) would be asked to serve as a resource of expertise for module development and content identification. The FAO and World Health Organization directives for "Food Safety in Africa" were set out at their October 2005 meeting to reaffirm the need for this type of training and education in agri-food industry. Proposal on Enhancing Human Capital in sub-Saharan Africa in Food Science and Technology through Distance Education Survey Results to date Outcomes of the Distance Education Roundtable, Seoul, April 2001 Download Needs Assessment Survey Form (in Acrobat .pdf format) Download Survey Form for Distance Education Courses (in Acrobat .pdf format) (If Acrobat Reader is not already installed in your computer get a free copy WoFS report on the Addis Ababa Workshop - October 2008 Daryl Lund's Distance Education site on the IUFoST Webite Report by John Taylor of the University of Pretoria for International Foundation for Science (Sweden based organization) - 2006 - IFS Funds Research Projects World Bank Study of Agricultural Education and Training in Sub-Saharan Africa. "Who Understands African Agriculture? Too Few" by William Saint Some reactions for discussion by Tom Vandenbosch, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) |
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