The Department of Food Science and Technology was established in 1983 as one of the programmes of the then Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta (FUTAB). It is one of the programmes that survived the various transitions prior to the establishment of the University of Agriculture, in 1988. Today, the department of Food Science and Technology is one of the four Departments in the College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC). The department offers programmes leading to the award of Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in various areas of Food Science and Technology.
Philosophy and Objectives
The economic well-being of Nigerians requires that food processing sector must produce enough high quality food products, especially during the off-peak seasons and distribute them at competitive prices to a rapidly growing population. The correct choice and application of appropriate technology is vital to reduction of post-harvest losses, processing, preservation and storage. Food processing, storage and preservation therefore represent an important linkage to agriculture which must not be ignored.
The field of Food Science and Technology is based on a spectrum of fundamental aspects of basic sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology), with a broad background in engineering applications (thermodynamics, unit operations in food processing, fluid flow behaviour, equipment design and maintenance). The study of properties of food raw materials, their composition, appropriate storage and preservation and application of engineering principles in processing and preservation are thus in the direct purview of a Food Scientist. Therefore, the general philosophy of the programme is to adopt multi-disciplinary approach in training of students to give a broad base knowledge in all aspects of Food Science and Technology such that our graduates can choose to specialize in any of the relevant disciplines.
In order to achieve the above stated mandate, the Department is committed to achieving the following goals
i. To make the Department a centre of excellence in the training of Food Scientists and Food industry professionals.
ii. To focus research efforts on areas of relevance to our immediate environment and local and global food situations.
iii. To encourage inter-disciplinary cooperation in research among staff and other external affiliations.
iv. To train competent future leaders for the agro-industrial sector, government establishments and society, who are sensitive to socio-economic needs and dedicated to providing solutions to pressing food security and economic problem of the country.
