Master of Food and Packaging Innovation launched

The food and packaging industries will receive a boost of specialist graduates in a few years: the University of Melbourne has launched a masters degree that aims to drive innovation in these sectors.

The Master of Food and Packaging Innovation combines food science, packaging and product design with business skills like project management and entrepreneurship.

“The Master of Food and Packaging Innovation is exciting because it helps us tackle a number of critical needs: for new answers in global demand for food; for industry-ready graduates across every sector; and for closer collaboration between universities and those on the front line of industry,” said Professor Glyn Davis, the vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

“We are confident the new masters program will promote innovation and bring about even stronger engagement between the tertiary sector and the food and packaging industries.”

Graduates are expected to be in high demand, according to Mondelez International Marketing Director for Australia and New Zealand Amanda Banfield.

“It’s a globally relevant qualification that spans the entire R&D pipeline, from concept right through to production. We see it addressing a major skills gap within the industry,” said Banfield.

The degree has been designed in collaboration with the industry, with Mondelez International selecting the university to create a Masters-level degree. Other partners include Simplot Australia, Dairy Innovation Australia, the Food Innovation Centre and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). The AIP will assist with the delivery of packaging subjects.

A number of $25,000 bursaries funded by Mondelez International will be available to high-achieving students over a three-year period to help establish the program.

More information about the degree is available from www.fvas.unimelb.edu.au/study/courses/master-of-food-and-packaging-innovation/overview.