INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
What is industry doing for its students ?
By Martin Braun
Recently I met somebody from the South African Association of Food Science and Technology ( SAAFoST ), and I felt rather surprised to learn what the food science industry is doing for its students .
Membership of SAAFoST helps to provide monetary prizes that mostly go towards student registration fees , which in turn help the body to recognise , encourage , and reward the brightest and best students in food science and technology . Being education orientated means they also offer and administer full-time bursaries : they have 45 students on their books , of which 25 have already achieved their BSc ( FSc ) degrees and diplomas . The yearly budget for bursaries is in excess of R600 000 per annum .
Providing support for students would have limited value had they been unable to help the students find employment during their holidays for in-service training or at the start of their careers . SAAFoST uses a programme called ‘ Select a Student ’ that addresses this issue . If one needs staff , temporary or permanent , one could make use of this programme by visiting SAAFoST ’ s website . Students enjoy free membership until they graduate and sponsored membership for a period afterwards .
SAAFoST has also introduced five awards : 1 . In honour of late Professor Koeppen who was head of department of Food Research at Stellenbosch University , two postgraduate scholarships are made available , one for a Master ’ s degree and one for a doctorate degree . Value : R30 000 per annum per scholarship towards tuition fees .
2 . Study grants at various universities and technikons , based on performance , to the value of R20 000 each for Bachelor of Science ( Honours ) and Bachelor of Technology studies .
3 . Award of a certificate and an amount of R1 000 annually for the most deserving student at each of the eight tertiary institutions .
4 . Dreosti Award of R5 000 for the best scientific oral paper at the biennial SAAFoST congress .
5 . Award of R5 000 for the best scientific poster at the biennial SAAFoST congress .
Pixabay
Industry and its associations should become more involved with students entering the field .
So , what is done in our industry for our students ? Not long ago , I took approximately 60 students of the University of Johannesburg studying for the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology to the Viking factory . This visit was ( according to the students ) very informative and again I want to thank Viking for their hospitality .
The question arises , why is nothing being done by our industry for our students ? Getting young people interested in our industry should be first priority . An example would be an award or study grant in honour of the late Hans Damhuis , who did so much for education in our industry . CLA
Martin Braun
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