First in Indonesia, IPB University Opens Master of Food Safety Study Programme Starting August 2023
IPB University through the Department of Food Science and Technology (ITP), Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Fateta) is ready to open the Master of Food Safety Study Programme (PSM-KPN) starting the Odd Semester of the 2023/2024 Academic Year, starting this August 2023.
Vice Rector of IPB University for Education and Student Affairs, Prof drh Deni Noviana explained, the opening of PSM-KPN is targeted to produce graduates who play an important role in overcoming food safety problems faced by Indonesia. In addition, PSM-KPN graduates are also designed to be able to strengthen Indonesia's position in negotiating food safety at the international level.
"The presence of PSM-KPN graduates of IPB University is expected to be able to improve the status of national food safety, both the development of appropriate management methods at the industrial level and appropriate food safety policies at the state level. This is based on in-depth food safety research and based on a risk analysis framework," explained Prof Deni.
The Speciality of Master of Food Safety Study Programme (PSM-KPN)
Currently in Indonesia, there are several study programmes in the fields of food science, food technology, agricultural product technology and the like. However, there is no study programme in Indonesia that focuses on food safety.
"There is no study programme in Indonesia that focuses on producing human resources (HR) who are not only qualified in using a risk-based approach to manage food safety hazards, but also able to communicate and argue in drafting regulations related to food safety. This is important considering that food safety standards are dynamic and adjust to the times," said Prof Deni.
In addition, PSM-KPN IPB University is unique and beneficial because it will be the first and only master programme in Indonesia that focuses on food safety aspects through student-centred learning.
Prof Deni explained that the topics to be explored include types of food safety hazards (microbiological, chemical, physical) and their relation to human health; development of risk-based food safety management systems at the producer level (good hygienic practices, process validation and verification, testing) as well as at the state level to determine the appropriate level of protection, and assessment of safety regulations and regulations based on good regulatory practices.
"The teaching staff of PSM-KPN are senior lecturers at IPB University with food safety expertise who not only have a track record of food safety teaching and research, but are also involved in the initiation, collaboration and regulation of food safety at the national and international levels. The enrichment of the material will involve competent authorities of ministries/agencies and the food industry," he continued.
Another advantage of PSM-KPN IPB University is that it provides lecture activities that will be conducted entirely online. This allows prospective students who come from various regions and various institutional backgrounds in Indonesia to join more easily with PSM-KPN IPB University.
Getting to Know About Food Safety
Chairperson of the Development Team of IPB's Master of Food Safety Study Programme, Prof Ratih Dewanti-Hariyadi, explained that according to Law No 18 of 2012, food safety is a condition and effort needed to prevent food from possible biological, chemical and other contaminants that can interfere with, harm and endanger human health and do not conflict with religion, beliefs and culture of the community so that it is safe for consumption.
"Currently, every year one in 10 people in the world is sick. As many as 420,000 people die from diseases caused by consumption of contaminated food. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the status of diseases caused by contaminated food in Indonesia is in the fourth worst region in the world, namely South East Asia Region B with a value of 680,000 Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)," he explained.
From the perspective of world trade, he continued, food from Indonesia also still experiences export rejection because it contains physical hazards (filth), biological hazards (pathogenic bacteria) and chemical hazards (heavy metals, mycotoxins and others). Data on food export rejections in 2006-2010 showed that the average value of food export rejections per year from Indonesia to the United States, the European Union and Japan was 1.640 million USD; 2.740 million USD; and 1.003 million USD, respectively.
Further information about the admission of new students of PSM-KPN IPB University can be accessed on the page https://admisi.ipb.ac.id.
Admission of New Students for Master of Food Safety Study Programme
Graduate School, IPB University
Campus IPB Dramaga Bogor 16680 – West Java, Indonesia
Phone/Fax: (0251) 8626725
WhatsApp: +62 857-7389-9280
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