[1]If you have a flair for technology, and take delight in the art and craft of food, you can now get the best of both with Food Technology, an unconventional course that Delhi University is offering.
The three-year honours course, which is being offered by two colleges, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences and Shaheed Rajguru College, has proved popular among both the sexes. According to experts, interest in the course is spurred by the number of career opportunities the food industry has been offering lately. The growing popularity of food bloggers, cookery shows and books on various cuisines have made food an interesting subject to study and an attractive career to pursue.
Principals of both the colleges are happy that the course has become a hot favourite this year. “The number of applicants for the course is on the rise. This is certainly because students are aware of the career opportunities which come with this offbeat course,” says Dr Anil Bali, officiating principal, Bhaskaracharya College, Delhi University.
Food expert and author, Gunjan Goela says that the art and science of food is more of a passion. “Also, food has emerged as a significant subject in present times. It is no more about what you ate. The discussion revolves around where you ate, about the ambience of the place, the quality and the nutritional value of food,” she explains. “This shows the importance of the topic. Look at the number of specialty restaurants that are opening, and the interest people have in them,” she adds.
Aspirant Rashmi Sinha has researched the scope of the subject. She explains, “Placements are available in areas related to packaging, processing, quality control, research and catering services. All major corporate houses have openings for trained food technologists,” says Rashmi, who wants to opt for a Masters degree after the completion of three-year course, which includes practicals, industrial training, and deals with the application of technology to the selection, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution and use of safe, nutritious and wholesome food.
Bhaskaracharya College also provides two short-term certificate courses in Medical Nutrition Therapy and Food Safety for the students of this department, adds Dr Anil.
“Looking at the interest of the students in this course, over the years, we received a grant of Rs 50 lakh with which we have set up a pilot project in the college. Our students are also developing innovative food projects,” says S. Lakshmi Devi, principal Rajguru College.
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