The Natural Resources Institute at Medway is renowned worldwide for excellent research and teaching facilities and was where I wanted to continue my studies.
Memories of ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ
I am an award-winning chef (Combined Services Culinary Challenge, 2005, in the British Army), previously working in the British Army before completing a degree in International Development with NGO Management at the University of East London. I applied to the University of ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ as I wanted to continue my studies and gain an insight into food innovation, with the aim to develop cost-effective food products to mitigate nutritional deficits in rural areas of Zimbabwe. This photo brings back memories of the iconic ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ campus at Old Royal Naval College, where I used to board the inter-campus bus from ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ to the Medway Campus with my colleagues every week. I quickly learnt to become resilient, overcome many obstacles in my path and was proud to achieve a Distinction in my Masters. Each week I travelled from where I lived in Kettering, Northamptonshire to London. I would wake up at 4am on Monday and board the 5am train to London St Pancras. I would then travel across London to ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ, before finally taking the bus to Medway in time for lessons at 9 or 10 am. I would then stay in temporary accommodation 2 days each week while attending classes, before travelling back to Kettering.
I miss my peers at ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ. We had students of different nationalities and together we shared academic and cultural experiences. I felt comfortable at the University and benefitted immensely from my colleagues.
Life after ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ
The pandemic has affected my travel plans.I will be working with organisations and rural farmers in Zimbabwe by developing affordable livestock and poultry feeds and fortified foods. As an Agripreneur/FPD Scientist, I will assist in providing better access to food, nutrition and resilience.
I believe the future is very bright for Food Innovation Graduates from ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ University.
The modules such as Risk Analysis for Agriculture and the Environment, Food Product and Process Development, Innovation in Food Packaging and the Research Project have proved extremely useful in my chosen career path.