A newly renovated facility with specialized equipment has been commissioned by the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) to cater for the increase in demand for the Bachelor of Dietetics and Nutrition programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dean of College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. William May says the lab will be beneficial as there is an increase in demand in areas such as food preservation skills, understanding of food science and its role in food components, preparing and testing formula for sports enthusiasts, health purposes and food entrepreneurship.
Dr. May says the facility consists of six new work-stations, food processors, five four-burner gas stoves with ovens, microwave ovens, refrigerator, water boilers, food weighing balances and other kitchen utensils.
He says these items are used in the preparation and cooking of different types of foods and menus, proportioning of foods, preparation of value-added food items and for teaching food preservation techniques for food service, community nutrition and clinical purposes.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor and Programme Coordinator at the Department of Primary Care and Nutrition, Dr Pragya Singh says this programme prepares graduates to work competently in most clinical, food service community setting and the treatment and control of chronic diseases.
The newly renovated Dietetics and Nutrition Food Preparation Lab is located at the FNU’s Public Health and Primary Care Campus in Tamavua and the renovations cost around $64,000.
Plans are underway for FNU to offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Nutrition. A Food Analysis laboratory is planned to be built for this programme and this course will explore food ingredients, its nutrient composition and its link to nutritional deficiencies and other nutritional disorders.
