MOU provides for research, exchange opportunities

September 10, 2010

By Teri Rosenfelt

A new international partnership will offer increased opportunities to University of Saskatchewan faculty, researchers and staff.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in June with the Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT), Ministry of Food Processing Industries, during a recent trip to India by a Saskatchewan delegation that included representatives from the U of S, Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration (AEEI), University of Regina, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Research Council, SIAST, Canadian Light Source and Genome Prairie

“It’s both a short-term and a long-term strategy,” said Venkatesh Meda, U of S professor of chemical and biological engineering. “It is intended for collaborative research and development, exchanges of  students and faculty, technology transfer and institutional development.”

As a result of the MOU, a senior scientist from IICPT has already visited Saskatoon, and another is slated to spend six months on campus working on an agri-food processing and  bio-products related project. Meda said there has been interest in a dual degree, and he and his colleagues are starting to talk with other colleges and universities to gauge interest.

“This MOU will help with the value addition of raw materials grown in Saskatchewan and Western Canada,” said Meda. “We will strengthen teaching and research in the area of post-harvest technology and value-added food processing. This has been a highest priority, especially when it comes to feeding over a billion people. When it comes to food and nutritional security, that’s the challenge we have.”

The Honorable Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister of Food Processing Industries, India, his team, including the director of the IICPT, and AEEI Minister Rob Norris will visit the U of S campus in September.