Discover Food Technology and Nutrition

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Speaker 1:  Hi, my name is Jayani Chandrapala, and I'm one of the program managers for Bachelor of Science in food technology and nutrition here at our RMIT. I have about 15 years experience in academia and was actively involved in teaching and many other activities within this program for the past few years. Today I'll explain the structure of the program and the kinds of projects you can expect to work on as a student. In addition, I'll explain the opportunities you can get once you graduate. It's my privilege to be part of the food technology and nutrition community at our RMIT. And I would love to welcome you to our food technology and nutrition program. Our food technology and nutrition program is world-renowned and allows students to work across a variety of disciplines to replicate the real world experience they will need once they start their careers. 

Before I start, I would like to acknowledge the people of the Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung language groups of the Eastern Kulin nations on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the university. RMIT respectfully acknowledge their ancestors and elders past, present, and emerging. And while we conduct our work remotely, I want to pay my respect to the wider unceded lands of this nation. 

RMIT is one of the leading food science education and research institutes. This degree covers full range for technology and nutrient science underpinned by strong practical skills that prepares the graduates for number of carrier pathways. RMIT food technology and nutrition degree offers flexible and specialized programs, which gives students plenty of options. The degrees combined with variety of industry experiences, which then translates into great job outcomes for the graduates. The program also goes beyond the classroom and give opportunities to apply what they have learned to real life problems, gain hands on experience, and work in teams during field studies and excursions, both locally and internationally. The students will also get opportunities to gain hands on experience on industry standard equipment, and best practices. RMIT's equipment and facilities are purpose built and readily accessible for the students, providing a dynamic learning environment. 

There are two major streams within the degree. One stream is food technology, which deals with traditional and modern technologies, manufacturing, new products, sensorial evaluations, and the safety and quality of the food products. The second stream is nutrition, and it deals with human health and nutrition. In terms of the entry requirements and ATAR score of 65.6 is needed for domestic students with some prerequisites for subjects, such as English and mathematics. For international students and Australian year 12 equivalent will be looked into such as foundation studies or secondary diplomas relevant to the discipline. In addition, the international students need to have successfully completed English proficiency tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, et cetera, with some specific guidelines. For example, the students need to obtain an overall IELTS score of 6 with no less than 5.5 for each component. For more customized information based on your qualifications and certain situations for both local and international students, please do contact Study@RMIT as stated on the website. 

This is the core structure for both major streams of the degree. In year one the courses that the students undertake will lay a foundation to science and professional knowledge. Then in the second year, the students will advance or broaden their skills with respective to their majors. In the third year, the courses have more emphasis on the professional skills that will get the students work ready, so during their third year the students will gain all the necessary hands on experience that enables them to enter the workforce. The students also have the possibility of choosing university electives. Choosing university electives will actually give the students more value to their degree and also give the opportunity to explore on an area that is new to them. The first half of this degree will be conducted in the City campus, and the second half of the degree in Bundoora campus. This is mainly because the students then get to use the state of the art facilities in the Food Research and Innovation Centre. This center is a mini factory, which enables the students to gain their practical skills. 

In terms of the facilities we have that RMIT Food Research and Innovation Centre is a world class facility that gives students access to the latest technologies, allow them to gain hands on experience. The center comprises of a pilot plant, product development labs, computerized sensor labs, research labs with most up to date equipment, microbiological labs, shelf storage rooms, et cetera. This is a unique opportunity that a food technology and nutrition student can get before entering to the workforce. This gives them an advantage of having necessary skills to operate within the food industry environment. 

Here we have Rebecca Shuttleworth, who is one of many satisfied food technology and nutrition students. Some of the major satisfactions they have gained from the degree are, to be able to learn each and every step that has taken to make a food product that they consume every day, and also the experience on how to make such products using high state equipment, and also the industry engagements they get throughout the degree. Food production is the world's largest industry. And in Australia, the industry is set to double in 10 years, so the Australian government national food plan aims to increase exports by 45%, and increase the food productivity by 30% by 2025, so this will also open more opportunities for the food science graduates in coming years. 

In the past, we had projects with the industry in areas such as research and development of products, designing new processes, solving labeling and packaging issues, and how to deal with the quality and safety of the food products. In some courses the industry experts will work with students on certain assignments by giving their expertise, knowledge, and also assist in their work to shape them work ready. In addition industry representatives from various sections of the food industry regularly present guest lectures, which again enables students to make close connections with the industry prior graduation. 

Our teachers are always closely collaborating with the industry to ensure graduates have the knowledge on the latest technologies and the appropriate training for the industry setting. In addition, industry experts constantly updating the academic staff of what is required by the industries, as at present the degree program has almost 90% critical thinking activities, which is vital for the food industry, 94% team-based work, 95% independent research in work, 95% knowledge based, and 87% work related skills. These are all the skills that the food industry is asking for. In addition, one of our teaching staff is a fully accredited practicing dietician. 

If a student is interested in pursuing further research studies, they have the option to do research projects within industry, our food technology and nutrition staff have various projects funded by the industry. This will enable the students to gain more research skills. If they wish to pursue further studies such as masters or PhDs in the relevant field. The students also have an opportunity to work in an industry for a placement of one year, or they can get opportunities to work in simulated work, integrated learning research, or short term placements. 

The degree program also have partnerships with other universities in countries, such as China. In addition, the students can also gain international experience by having to do part of their degree in countries, such as England, Ireland, Germany, and many other European countries. Food industry in Australia employs 220,000, and generates 55 billion in export annually. The food technology and nutrition graduates can work as product development scientists, where they develop new and functional food products, or improve existing products, or they can work as food safety and quality assurance officers, where they improve safety and nutritional profile of manufactured foods, or establish quality assurance procedures, train staff in food hygiene, or develop food safety plans and complies with government and industry regulations. 

Or they can work also as food technologist where the job can varies from analyzing components to process optimizations. Some nutrition graduates study further to become dieticians, so that is another carrier option they can gain. For this program since 2018, about 84% of the graduates obtain jobs immediately after they graduate where almost 70% got into food related employments, while 8% was employed for non-food related jobs, and 6% has chosen to do for the research studies in similar fields. So RMIT food technology and nutrition degree is one of the successful degrees that has a high employment rate once they graduate. 

So in terms of the important days, orientation for the first semester next year is in February. Where the semester begins on 1st of March, the last day to get enrolled will be on 8th of March. 

Thank you for taking your time to hear about our on food technology and nutrition here at RMIT. For more information about the program, be sure to check the program information available on our website or call Study@RMIT on 9925 2260, take care and have a lovely day. 

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