Food safety is a fundamental public health concern. The Food Safety and Quality has become an area of priority and necessity for consumers, retailers, manufacturers and regulators. Changing global patterns of food production, international trade, technology, public expectations for health protection and many other factors have created a huge demand for food safety and qualityn auditing professionals.
IGNOU and APEDA have come together to launch this programme, the first such initiative in India, with an emphasis on practical proficiency development exercises. This programme is expected to meet the increasing human resource requirements for food safety and quality management professionals in the agriculture and food sectors.
Objectives
The core objective of the programme is to develop professionals for development, implementation and auditing of Food Safety and Quality Management in the country. It seeks to develop India’s capability to meet the global food safety and quality requirements and enhance competitiveness of food products. In long term perspective, it would contribute to ensure consumer safety within and outside the country.
This PG programme shall enable the students to:
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Comprehend the issues of safety and quality in food production, handling, processing and trade.
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Build technical proficiency in undertaking food safety and quality assurance in food processing chain i.e., from farm to fork.
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·Ensure the safety and quality of food products as per mandatory legal requirements and voluntary standards including export regulations, if required.
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Design and implement
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Good Hygienic Practices (GHP)
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Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
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Quality Management Systems (QMS): ISO9001
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Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) : ISO 22000
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Environmental Management Systems: ISO 14001
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Laboratory Management System: ISO 17025
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Retail Standards
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Be able to effectively plan, conduct, report and audit as per the guidelines of the ISO 19011-2002.
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Undertake Standard Microbiological and Chemical analysis of Food Products.
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Apply Good Hygienic, Manufacturing, Laboratory, Transportation and Retail Practices in Food Processing/ Hospitality industry and Retail outlets.
Medium of Instruction
English
Target Group
The PG Diploma is intended for Graduates in Science/ Agriculture/ Food Science or allieddisciplines contemplating a career in Food Safety and Quality Management.
It is also intended for professionals in food processing and quality control for strengtheningtheir proficiency in design and implement quality management systems, undertake foodauditing and implement new food act- Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. The programme shall also open new vistas for entrepreneurs who intend to diversify in food safety and quality aspects.
Job Opportunities
• Quality Control Officer or Quality Assurance/Management professionals in food/hospitality/retail industry and laboratories
• Food Safety Officer in the regulatory bodies
• Food Auditor in Certification and Inspection bodies
• Trainer/Counsellor in Food Safety & Quality Management Systems
• Self-Employment as food certifying/auditing professionals for the Food Safety andQuality Management Systems
Student Support Activities
Learning M aterial: The printed study material is sent to the registered students at home by post.
Audio-visual learning aids: The learning package also contains audio and video cassettesand CDs which have been produced by the University. A video programme is usually of25-30 minutes duration. These programmes can be heard/viewed at the study centre during specific sessions, or purchased for use at home.
Counselling: Counselling sessions are held according to a schedule drawn up by the study centre coordinator, usually during weekends.
TV counselling and Tele-conferencing: Through Gyan Darshan Channels and EduSat. Gyan Darshan channel is available on DTH platform.
Radio Counselling: Through phone-in programmes on AIR and Gyan Vani.
* 1 credit = 30 hours of student’ s study time
Online Platform
The PG Diploma in Food safety and Quality Management shall be available online onthe SAFE (Safe and Assured Foods E-learning) Platform. It is a complete virtual learningenvironment suite covering all the activities from registration to certification. The following features shall be available to the registered students.
(i) Walk in admission: The Programme shall be offered in July cycle in the beginning.
The applications received through by post at the concerned Regional Centres and through online from 30th October to 30th April or the date announced by the University shall be considered for Admission to July cycle. Registration form shall be specially devised withthe facility of uploading scanned certificates, other required documents and photograph.
Registration will be confirmed only after verification of the certificates and payment of the required admission fee. Facility for online payment shall be available through the payment gateway (AXIS Bank) being offered by the University for online programmes.
Towards this end we request you to register for programme on online platform(www.ignouonline.ac.in/safe). You are requested to go to above website and click on “ How to Register” then select PGDFSQM and press ‘ click here’ . After this select the usertype ‘ Student’ in the drop down list and submit the same. Now select the Payment Modeand select the Programme Name and then create your Login ID and Password note down/remember your ID and Password created by you as it will be required for accessing the online study material and other features. After that online application form is now open you will be fill the form carefully and submit the same with all the details mentioned in this form.
After submission of the application you have to take print of the acknowledgement receipt of your online application and sent to the address given on acknowledgement receipt with your two passport size photograph and required self attested documents. You may also take print of application form after filling the complete form and send it to us with your all the documents (keep one copy yourself for record please).
Please call us/ send email for any doubt at pgdfsqm@ignou.ac.in and Ph. No. 011-29572976 and 29573090.
(ii) I ntegrated multimedia courseware once registered, learners will have access topersonalised learning space (My Page). This includes self instructional material, relatedaudio/ video, slides, self check exercises, etc. weaved in one platform.
(iii) Online counselling and mentoring – web cast based counselling integrated with textbased chatting facility shall be used for counselling purposes.
(iv) Learner support: Asynchronous and synchronous modes of interaction will be used to provide just in time support to learners.
(v) Online Project platform: Templates shall be made available for synopsis submission,project uploading and evaluation. Viva voce will be conducted through web based videoconferencing tool.
(vi) Online Term End Examination- Online examinations will be conducted in specifiedcentres for in proctored environment.
Additional I nformation
The additional information about the programme and the admission details are available at the following websites:
• www.ignou.ac.in
• www.ignouonline.ac.in/safe or
• www.ignouonline.ac.in/soa
Additional information about this programme may also be obtained from School of
Agriculture and our Regional Centres.
For further information kindly contact
Prof. M .K. Salooja,
Programme Coordinator & Director,
School of Agriculture,
G Block, Zakir Hussain Bhawan,
IGNOU, Maidan Garhi,
New Delhi - 110 068.
Phone: +91-011-29533167
Tele Fax: +91-011-29533167
E-mail: soa@ignou.ac.in
