Orientation Classes for students pursuing M.Tech in Food Processing Technology.
Imagine an illiterate woman teaching an M.Tech student on
how to make a confectionery or the famous `Kakinada kaja sweet In what could be
a unique initiative, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Kakinada (JNTU-K)
is tying up with self-help groups (SHGs) manufacturing Andhra delicacies and cuisines
to give orientation classes for students pursuing M.Tech in Food Processing Technology.
The students will be given training on the manufacturing methods of various dishes.
We will tie up with more firms dealing with food processing in future, JNTU-K vice
chancellor Allam Appa Rao said. The V-C claimed that the M.Tech course in Food Processing
Technology offered by the university was first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh. Apart
from an orientation in engineering, we want to focus on food processing and provide
on-field experience to the students, he said.
Students would be given training in the making of items like Pootharekulu, Tapeswaram
kaja, Kakinada kaja, and other delicacies. Suruchi Foods, which manufactures Tapeswaram
kaja in bulk and sends it to various parts of the country, was roped in to impart
training to the PG students.
Sources said the university is planning to rope in more SHGs to conduct orientation
classes for the students. University director E.V Prasad said that they would also
go for tie-ups with MNCs like Nestle, Tata Tea, Haldirams and a few others to offer
better training to students.
Head of the food processing department P Ramakrishna said the students would be
sent to select food processing units to acquaint themselves with various functional
roles in the industry like HRD, material management Suruchi Foods proprietor P.V.V.S
Mallikarjuna Rao was also asked by the varsity authorities to conduct the orientation
programme. The students said that exposure at the MNCs involved in food processing
sector would help them gain more knowledge.
Courtesy: Times of India
