By Sileshi Yilma/ Public & International Relations Directorate

 Harmaya University (HU), UNDER School of Food Science, Postharvest Technology and Process Engineering, joined the US-based World Food Preservation Center (WFPC). It has also signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 18, 2014.

The MOU was signed by Prof. Kebede W/Tsadik, vice president for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development, and Dr. Charles L. Wilson, founder, chairman and CEO of WFPC, the School informed HU Online.

According to WFPC, the consortium which is formed by eight universities aims to substantially reduce world hunger by developing new low cost and sustainable technologies to combat food loss in developing countries as well as countries throughout the world.

HU is the only university from Ethiopia and the third university to join this consortium. The other universities from Africa which are members of the partnership include University of Ghana (Ghana) and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Nigeria).

The other universities included in the consortium are University of Sydney (Australia), University of Florida (USA), University of Chile (Chile), Jiangsu University (China), and Cranfield University (UK).

The MOU sent to HU Online shows that the WFPC at HU will provide a world-class education (MSc and PhD) to young students in developing countries and conduct research on much needed technologies which help preserve food targeted towards the needs of developing countries.

The agreement between HU and WFPC is expected to continue for a period of five years.