Association And International Food Union Develop Food Science Database

The Association of African Universities and The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFOST) have jointly developed a Food Science Database which will serve as Africa’s one-stop-shop for crucial information on all African universities teaching Food Science and Technology

In a statement made available to Voice of Nigeria, the AAU Senior Communications and Publications Officer, Mrs Felicia Kuagbedzi, said this is in line with actualising the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals and improving the continent’s economic growth.

AAU also disclosed that it signed a
Five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IUFOST in the last quarter of the year 2022.

It said that the MOU focused on urgent actions to be undertaken in achieving the overall goals including providing substantive support and capacity building in the thematic areas of Food Science Food Safety and Technology, Apts-Food Production and Processing.

The organisations stated that they signed the MOU to strengthen Africa’s capacity to secure food for its cities.

It said that “the development of the database fits into the vision of the African Research Innovation and Development Network AFRID.”

MOU Target
Speaking on the target of the MOU, the Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, Professor Olushola Oyewole, said “The target is to mitigate environmental effects through food loss and waste.”

He said; “The target is also to mitigate environmental effects through the promotion of innovation and new technologies; capacity building and education as well as training at all levels aimed specifically to combat undernutrition.”

Prof. Oyewole added that this would ensure safe food for all within the African continent.

MOU With IUFOST
“In achieving the above terms of reference, the AAU and IUFOST have jointly developed a Food Science Database which will serve as Africa’s power and one-stop-shop for important information on all African universities teaching Food Science and Technology: namely, contacts, and expertise of lectures teaching Food Science and Technology and the research focus and specialities of these experts.

President of IUFOST, Aman Wirakarkantakusumah expressed optimism that a lot of impacts would be made through the strong commitment to the partnership between the two institutions and also provide support for all stakeholders in Africa.

Aman stated that the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFOST) represents food scientists, technologists, and engineers globally, and has three main tenets Education, Food and Nutrition Security, and Food Safety.

Terms of Reference
The terms of reference for the collaboration between the AAU and IUFOST include the sharing and development of needed expertise at local, regional and international levels.

Aman said; “sharing such scientific expertise to strengthen capacity building input and expand the model globally with regional inputs as well as Jointly developing training materials to be delivered through universities at undergraduate and graduate levels
with international approvals through IUFOST and the mind academia”

“Sharing innovations. successes of graduates and young researchers and training to catalyse additional funding in the AAU network: Working together to provide education for the consumer on food nutrition, security, safety and stability through the application of educational programming and finally, Promoting network of researchers and institutions in the areas of Food Science and Technology African Universities.

Mercy Chukwudiebere