Food science graduates from the University of Rwanda (UR) in collaboration with German food science scholars are seeking to promote food technology in the country.

Launching a food scientists’ platform-Rwandan Society of Food Science and Technology (RFST) yesterday at the University of Rwanda’s College of Business and Economics, Dr Anastase Kimonyo, the patron of the group said the partnership will help make Rwanda a food hub.

Kimonyo is a senior professor of Food Science and Technology at UR-College of Science and Technology.

"The food science sector in Rwanda is still young. We hope this partnership will significantly transform food technology in the country,” Kimonyo said.

The partnership includes material and financial support to the association believed to be in region of Rwf39 million, according to Prof. Werner Lorig, from the German Ulrich Florin Foundation.

Ulrich Florin is a charitable foundation that promotes and supports education and training in the field of food science, especially in food technology.

The German based organisation supports the young generation to create or take jobs in the field of food technology. It also awards scholarships to students wishing to study Food Technology or related disciplines.

Vestine Uwiringiyimana, a graduate in food science and staff at UR- College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, said the formation of the Rwandan society for food scientists has been long overdue for her and fellow food science graduates.

"This will help us address challenges hindering food science and technology in Rwanda,” she added.

Among the challenges Uwiringiyimana noted include unemployment, low hands-on skills among graduates, and isolated efforts toward promoting food science sector in the country.

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