Background
Department of Food Technology and Process Engineering was established by Haramaya University, Institute of Technology Academic Council with the help of engineering capacity building program in May 2008. The program was launched to provide a five years under-graduate program (B.Sc. degree) and two years post graduate program in Food engineering (M.Sc.).
Undergraduate Food Technology and process engineering teaching program, which became an academic discipline at Haramaya Institute of Technology (HiT) since 2008, incorporates both basic engineering principles and the unique chemical and microbiological characteristics of biological materials into processed products. The curriculum is designed to impart engineering knowledge in topics such as Unit Operations, Preservation Technologies, Food Machineries, Packaging Technology, process control and instrumentations, Process designs and Safety & Quality Management in Food and Drink industries. The program has evolved at the interface between science and engineering.
The department has made significant evolution in teaching and has graduated 48 students in its 1st batch in 2013, 2nd batch 55 students in 2014, 3rd batch 60 students in 2015, 4th batch 53 students in 2016, 5th batch 78 students in 2017 and waiting for its largest 6th batch of the program in which 110 students will be graduated. Most of these graduates are working in different process industries and other enterprises such as beverage, food complex, mineral water processing, sugar processing, Malt processing industries and Oil processing industries, as well as in higher education institutions.
The Food Engineering program at M.Sc. level was functional from 2016 onward and going to graduate its first batch in 2018. In the future Food engineering research will continue to focus on technology transfer and attempts to accelerate the transition of new processes from the laboratory bench to operations scale in manufacturing industries. The forthcoming research will be directed towards meeting the expectations of the consumer for safe and convenient foods that will contribute to a healthy lifestyle for extended periods of time. In addition, the department is undergoing several efforts to develop research and consultancy services at national and institute level. Furthermore, Graduate program and research in food engineering have evolved with an evident focus on basic principles, mathematical models, and process simulations.
Vision
The Vision of Food Technology and Process Engineering Department, Haramaya Institute of Technology, Haramaya University is to be one of the leading departments in the field of Food Technology and Process Engineering in Ethiopia with international reputation by 2025.
Mission
The mission of Food Technology and Process Engineering Department, Haramaya Institute of Technology, Haramaya University is to be one of the leading departments in the field of Food Technology and Process Engineering specially in Food Engineering, Food Technology and Food Process Engineering streams, to embark on rigorous, problem solving and cutting edge researches, disseminate knowledge and technologies, and provide demand-driven and transformative community services.
Staff Profile
The Department of Food Technology and Process Engineering has one Professor in Food Engineering, two Associate Professors in Food Engineering, three lecturers, three assistant lecturers and two technical assistants. Additionally, one PhD and six M.Sc. on study leave.