The functioning of the Department of Food and Nutrition got a fillip with the process of new teachers, one with considerable experience in university system, joining the department getting over around beginning of 2019, and initiating a slew of activities.

NEW INITIATIVES:

• ● Improvement in teaching learning on a continual basis
• ● Updating of PG syllabi with input from all stakeholders
• ● Initiation of Research Programme
• ● Operationalizing/ developing moderate facilities in academic block and laboratory wing.
• ● Promotion of spirit of collaboration between university department and
  • • Industry,
  • • learned societies in the field,
  • • Other university units,
  • • Departments in affiliating colleges

● ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

The PG Programme:

• • • Updating PG curriculum with industry input: A Round table was organized, being inaugurated by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, with participation of senior academicians and dietitians from different hospitals, and inputs were incorporated in the syllabi effective from session 2019-21; an internship as dietitians in hospitals was proposed as a part of the programme.
  • • The intake capacity in M Sc programme in Food and Nutrition was increased to 30 (from only 12 students completing the M Sc programme in 2017-19 session) from the academic session 2019-21. The capacity: demand ratio was healthy. Written Admission Test – MCQ type – was conducted. There are students from different districts of the state of West Bengal joining the M Sc programme in 2019.
  • • Now the department is one of the large departments in terms of students’ intake, among the wet laboratory – based departments.
  • • All 30 students appeared in First end semester examination held in December 2019 after attending classes regularly with zero effective drop out.
  • • Blended mode of programme administratio; regular online lectures as per circulated schedule at present.
  • • Remedial lecture sessions organized regularly.
  • • Academic counseling is a regular practice.
  • • Mock test before End semester examinations held.
  • • The GE course offered by the department is popular and third semester students pursuing M Sc under the university in Anthropology, Botany, Geography, Microbiology, Mathematics, Physiology, Psychology and like are attending regularly. This course is administered presently in online mode only.

PhD Programme:

• • The department initiated the process for offering PhD Programme in the University department, candidates joining – all qualified in NET including a few with UGC-JRF.

UG Programmes: administration and facilitation

• • The University departmental teacher(s) spend considerable time in administration of UG examination of Food and Nutrition being entrusted with facilitation of UG courses in affiliated colleges.
• • The department served as a venue for undergraduate practical examination in 2019 for the first time; favorable feedback was received from all concerned.
• • The number of review/special review (directly monitored by the highest authorities of the University) cases in the subject dropped significantly. The Coordinator / Convener directly interacted if students expressed such desire.
• • Presently there are 10 affiliated colleges offering the UG programme; there has been rise in enrolment with effect from 2019-20 session.

Special initiatives for students:

• • Equal opportunity workplace: student with 80% locomotor disability in roll – provided support as per norms. Students of all strata of society, different socio-economic background, different districts of state study in the department.
• • Financial Support to the Needy meritorious students: University provides partial fee waiver to from its CSR fund to deserving students, first generation learners, over and above the government scholarships
• • Departmental Students encouraged to take part in academic conferences and debates in University and elsewhere
• • Receive additional exposure in Communicating Science, Management of Disasters, Yoga on a regular basis

Small success stories:

• • The renowned scientist Professor Sunit Mukherjee, the close collaborator Dr Subhas Mukherjee, was honored for his life – long contribution in the field of Food and Nutrition with organization of a Conference –NuTriConf 2, on September 6, 2019. There were about 250 participants. The Keynote address was delivered by noted oncologist Dr S K Nath on Food habit and Cancer. There were oral presentations from senior research scholars/associates of other universities and institutes, registered dietitians, young faculty members and poster presentation by JRFs. Society for Nutrition and Dietetics (SND), Kolkata and also Nutrition Society of India (NSI), Kolkata Chapter Undergraduate colleges offering Food and Nutrition as Honours Programme participated wholeheartedly.
• • Student qualifying in NET and also getting placement in industry
• • One of the Assistant Professors awarded PhD
• • A few candidates awarded PhD under the supervision of  Dr S Mukherjee
• • Regular research publications

Conferences and Symposia held:

• • NuTriConf 1 in January 2019
• • NuTriConf 2 – September 6, 2019
• • NuTriSymp 2019 – September 16, 2019
• • NuTriSymp 2 – 2020, in association with IQAC – September 12, 2020

The Road Ahead: Addressing immediately the issue of Wet lab facilities’ strengthening and overcoming floor area constraints.

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