FAISALABAD, May 9: The University of Agriculture’s food and technology department will begin its classes as an independent institute from July 1 this year.

This was stated by a university spokesman while talking to newsmen on Friday. He said the institute would be first of its kind, which would impart modern training to students, professionals working in different fields of the food industries and farmers in the country.

He said the department was previously a part of the faculty of engineering and technology, but now it had been upgraded to an institute at a cost of Rs38.4 million.

Six new courses — grain science technology, meat and dairy technology, sugar and fat technology, fruit and vegetable technology, food micro biological technology and food safety and nutrition technology — would be introduced at the department. Besides, it would offer bachelor and master degree programmes, the spokesman said.

He hoped that the degree and diploma holders of the institute would play a vital role in strengthening agrarian and food economy, and introduce a number of products from the raw material of foodstuffs for export.

“Special attention is also being paid by the institute to the latest changes in the world Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Controlled Atmosphere Packaging,” he concluded.