BHU ties up with Copenhagen University for cooperation in food science and technology

Varanasi, December 9, 2009: Ushering into a new era of international cooperation, Banaras Hindu University Vice-Chancellor Professor DP Singh signed a MoU with University of Copenhagen in food and science technology at a function in Denmark on Friday.

Prof. SR Singh, Director, Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Prof. Alok Jha, Coordinator, Centre of Food Science and Technology, scientists from University of Copenhagen and Anna University, Chennai were present on the occasion.

Memorandum of Understanding includes cooperation for joint educational courses on Food Habits in East and West and Entrepreneurship Development through Food Processing, and research programmes based on pilot-plant development at BHU for milk dairy processing.

On behalf of the University of Copenhagen, MoU was signed by Dr. Per Holt Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences. The MoU will enable better understanding of foods from east and west. This will also promote entrepreneurship in eastern part of the country based on food processing.

Under the MoU, financial support will be available for research and development of a food processing pilot-plant at BHU with active cooperation and support of Danish and Dutch scientists. Scientists from Denmark and Holland will work on indigenous milk products of India and try to understand the intricacies of food culture of India. It will be more beneficial for Ph.D. students who will get opportunities for long-term visit for education, research and training.

BHU delegation also visited GEA Processing including NIRO Spray Dryer Factory, Danisco A/S and Arla Foods in Aarhus, Denmark on Thursday last. These visits were organized in recognition of growing significance and visibility of food science programme in BHU during last two years. Danisco A/S manufactures food enzymes, colours, sweeteners, gums, hydrocolloids. Arla Foods is the largest dairy in Denmark. BHU delegation was shown the advanced technologies for processing milk and milk products.

Professor DP Singh and other members of the delegation were also provided an opportunity to see the advanced laboratories on sensory quality of foods, food chemistry, food microbiology and also dairy processing pilot plant. They also visited high pressure processing facilities, NMR techniques in food processing and instrumental evaluation of sensory profile of foods.

In one of the sessions, a joint research proposal on pro-biotic foods based on milk and coarse cereals was discussed between Prof. Alok Jha and Prof. Ase Hansen from University of Copenhagen. Before this, Prof. SR Singh delivered a scientific talk in food security and sustainable development for the benefit of scientists and students of University of Copenhagen and others.

Prof. Alok Jha also delivered a talk on indigenous food habits in India. Prof. DP Singh also had a meeting with Ambassador of Nepal in Denmark Dr. Vijay KL Karna. They discussed impending climate change summit agenda and also increasing the visibility and impact of BHU in Denmark and other EU Countries.

Photo caption: Banaras Hindu University Vice-Chancellor Professor DP Singh (right) signs a MoU with Copenhagen University in Copenhagen on December 4, 2009.

Source: Press release and photos from PPP Cell-BHU