Faculty of
AGRO-INDUSTRY
Tanaboon Sajjaanantakul, Dean, Faculty of Agro-industryFood 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
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 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-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
Number of higher education (University) is 151 institution Government (supported) University is 80 institution
Private University is 71 institution
Food Science Education in Thailand
For Government supported University 80, They are grouped as
Autonomous university 15
Government university 16
Teacher university 40
Polytechnic university 9
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 KUGeneral 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
Communication skills
Thinking skills
Leadership & Team work Problem solving
Personal attitude
Career success requires: Technical knowledge + Competency skills (Soft skills) Extra-curriculum activity often incorporate into student college life
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
Organic farm Rice genome Sustainable agriculture Genetic breeding Tropical agriculture Food security primary production postharvest processing product packaging distribution Marketing consumer 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 Control-released 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 preferencesMost 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 ASEAN University Japanese University Jointed research Research problem from MAFF-Food Industry
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 Food Industry Japanese
ASEAN University
Topic from MAFF-Food Industry-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
Scholarship to ASEAN student
Japanese University
Dual degree (or sandwich research program) with ASEAN University
Jointed research Research problem
can be from MAFF-Food Industry
Funding support for travel, housing, stipend to ASEAN student for doing research at Japanese University (tuition fee waiver?)
Japanese University with ASEAN partnership
Human Resource development cooperation project
Proposed cooperation project 4: ASEAN-linked degree program, Japanese-ASEAN University scholarship at MS level,
MAFF Japanese Food Industry ASEAN University ASEAN University
At least 2 ASEAN country form a jointed degree, 1st MS year course work for
2 semesters at 2 University (country), 2nd MS year do a research project at a
selected University
Student apply to MAFF ASEAN linked program
Human Resource development cooperation project
Other skill development activity, i.e., graduate student international field trip with student presentation
MAFF Japanese Food Industry
ASEAN University ASEAN University Japanese University
University and food industry field trip (2 weeks) for International experience and network
Can be from more than 1 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
