Faculty of AGRO-INDUSTRY Tanaboon Sajjaanantakul, Dean, Faculty of Agro-industry Bangkok, Thailand
Food Science Education in Thailand KU has first started the food education curriculum in Thailand 1964 B.S. in Food Science 1969 Master of Science in Food Science Start the faculty of Agro-industry, KU in 1980 1989 Ph.D. degree in Food Science 1990 B.S. Food Engineering
Food Science Education in Thailand Faculty of Agro-industry (1980) constituted Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Product Development Packaging and Materials Technology Textile Science Agro-Industrial Technology Management Since 1980 Food science education program And food-related program was adopted and offered by major Government University in Thailand
Food Science Education in Thailand Now more than 70 Universities offered in B.S. degree related to Food Science and Technology program plus 40 curriculum in Biotechnology program Plus 10 curriculum in Product development, Agro-industry technology, Packaging Technology, etc.
Food Science Education in Thailand Food education program in Thai universities are offered under various name, e.g., Food Science and Technology, Food Technology Food Engineering, Agro-industrial Technology, Product Development, Biotechnology Food Packaging and Postharvest Technology, Packaging and Materials Technology Food and Nutrition Nutrition Food safety These are most involve with food processing part in the food value chain
Food Science Education in Thailand Food-related education program that involves primary production and Distribution in food value chain are, e.g., Agriculture, Plant and animal science, Horticulture, Crop science, Animal husbandry Agriculture and Natural resources Fishery, Aqua culture Food security, Food supply chain, Food logistic Agro-industry technology management Food business, Agri-food business Program in Home economics, Culinary, Dietician, Cooking school which direct toward consumer are excluded from above discussion
Food Science Education in Thailand Number of higher education (University) is 151 institution Government (supported) University is 80 institution Private University is 71 institution For Government supported University 80, They are grouped as Autonomous university 15 Government university 16 Teacher university 40 Polytechnic university 9 > 70 Universities offered in B.S. in Food Science and Technology related program
Food Science Education in Thailand Education system: 4 years for B.S. with minimum of 120 credits (1 credit = 1h lect or 30-45 h lab /week for 15week/semester or ) Most food curriculum has 135-145 credits 2 years for MS (course + full thesis), 3 years for Ph.D.
Food Science Education in Thailand Example of B.S. Food Science and Technology at KU General Education 30 Credits - science and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, language, physical education Specific Requirements 102 Credits - core courses 41, major courses 57, major electives minimum 4 Free Electives 6 Credits Internship or practical training 3 Credits (300 Hours) Total Minimum Requirements 141 Credits
Competency skills for food scientist, KU Extra-curriculum activity often incorporate into student college life Communication skills Personal attitude Thinking skills Problem solving Leadership & Team work Career success requires: Technical knowledge + Competency skills (Soft skills)
Food Science Education in Thailand Currently B.S. program in food science and agro-industry program produce approximately 3,000 undergraduate students per year Estimation of food scientist at B.S. level is about 30,000 Estimation food scientist at M.S. and Ph.D. level are 2,500 For the 67 million populations of Thailand The current estimation is 1 food scientist per 2,060 people
Research in Food Value Chain primary production postharvest processing product packaging distribution Marketing consumer Organic farm Rice genome Sustainable agriculture Genetic breeding Tropical agriculture Food security Postharvest biology MA, CA in fresh produce Natural pesticides Packaging Novel processing Food safety Functional and health food Food allergen Bioprocess enzymes and ingredients Probiotic Prebiotic Controlreleased Flavour taste development Active and Intelligent packaging Bio-based and sustainable materials Food contact materials Nano composite materials for food packaging Supply chain management and safety Food traceability Food regulation Food logistics Sensory science consumer preferences
Research collaboration with Private sector Most Research Funding Agency (e.g., TRF, NRC, NSTDA,ARDA..) to University (MS, PhD) require industry involvement at the early stage of proposal submission Thailand Research Fund support MS and PhD research scholarship on the basis that the research problem must come from food industry or there is a matching fund or support from food industry Food industry approach University directly for proprietary research project Jointed MS or PhD research with International University are common practice (with Japan, Taiwan, ASEAN, EU, US, etc..)
Research & technology transfer Research and technology transfer are done in the form of various industrial training and technology licensing, e.g., SME pre-haccp training Food security and Food safety training Kasetsart University provided food innovation research service (KU FIRST) and has initiated food science park for technology incubation
Human Resource development cooperation project Proposed cooperation project 1: MAFF Food Research HRD program for faculty and graduate student exchange MAFF Japanese Food Industry Research problem from MAFF-Food Industry Japanese University Jointed research ASEAN University Provide support for Japanese or ASEAN staff to research visit (3-6 months) to Japan or to partner University
Human Resource development cooperation project Proposed cooperation project 2: MAFF Food experts seminar/training program provides update knowledge for ASEAN University MAFF Japanese Food Industry Topic from MAFF- Food Industry- ASEAN University ASEAN University Provide support for University professor and food industry experts to offer technical seminar or technology transfer to ASEAN country
Human Resource development cooperation project Proposed cooperation project 3: International talented student scholarship program, Japanese-ASEAN University scholarship for MS, PhD level, MAFF Japanese Food Industry Research problem can be from MAFF- Food Industry Dual degree (or sandwich research program) with ASEAN University Japanese University Jointed research Scholarship to ASEAN student Japanese University with ASEAN partnership applied for grant Funding support for travel, housing, stipend to ASEAN student for doing research at Japanese University (tuition fee waiver?)
Human Resource development cooperation project Proposed cooperation project 4: ASEAN-linked degree program, Japanese-ASEAN University scholarship at MS level, MAFF Japanese Food Industry Student apply to MAFF ASEAN linked program ASEAN University ASEAN University At least 2 ASEAN country form a jointed degree, 1 st MS year course work for 2 semesters at 2 University (country), 2 nd MS year do a research project at a selected University
Human Resource development cooperation project Other skill development activity, i.e., graduate student international field trip with student presentation MAFF Japanese Food Industry University and food industry field trip (2 weeks) for International experience and network Japanese University Can be from more than 1 University ASEAN University ASEAN University
Conclusion Food Science education in Thailand covers all aspects of food science, technology and engineering. Food related discipline in higher education include primary production of food, food processing, food value chain to distribution of food products. Food security and food safety together with innovative technology, functional and health food are key research area Human resource development in food-related area offer by MAFF-Japan food industry collaboration to ASEAN University can be done in different models, e.g., food expert training, new technology transfer, MS or Ph.D. research exchange and scholarship in conjunction with Japanese food industry and University
KASETSART UNIVERSITY Faculty of AGRO-INDUSTRY