CALL FOR SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY MS.c AND Ph.D IN FOOD CHEMISTRY AT CEFTER BSU FOR 2024/2025 SESSION

This is notify the general public that application for Admission into MS.c and Ph.D Scholarship for two of CEFTER programmes (M.Sc. & PhD Food Chemistry) in the Department of Chemistry is now on. The Scholarship is called the DAAD In-Country/In-Region funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and aims at university staff in the first line, without neglecting the public sector demand of academically trained personnel.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates from Nigeria and other African Countries for funding and admissions in the 2024 cohort of the Scholarship commencing from October 2024 at the Benue State University Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER). Online application for admission has commenced.The deadline for Scholarship application for funding  is 23^rd November, 2023. The application can be assessed on both CEFTER BSU portal or directly on DAAD portal.

Method of Application

• Applicants are to check the CEFTER BSU website and identify their possible supervisors

• Candidate should interact with their prospective supervisor to produce a research proposal  to be  uploaded during the application process.

• Applicants should, apply for admission at Benue State University.

• Applicants are to visit the CEFTER website https://www.cefterbsu.edu.ng/requirement.php (Method of Application). Scroll towards the end of the page, “click here to start application process” and complete some pre-registration information (Please note the application number generated in the pre-form and your password).

• Candidates are required to complete their biodata and academic information and upload all relevant documents in the application form. (NB: If admitted, all documents shall be physically      vetted at the University before enrolment on the programme).

Applicants must apply for the scholarship separately via the DAAD portal. Applicants are asked to log into the DAAD portal, register themselves and submit a DAAD application. DAAD’s Deadline: November 23, 2023.

Note:

Applicants should visit DAAD portal for necessary and processing of their applications. Applications submitted through other channels or to other authorities will not be considered. The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 hrs. Central European Time (CET or CEST) on the last application day.

Click the Link to apply on DAAD Portal:  https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?daad=&detail=10000486&intention=&origin=&page=1&q=surplace&status=&subjectGrps=

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1.   M.Sc. Food Chemistry:

Admission into the M.Sc. programme of the Department is based on a minimum qualification of second class (honours) upper division with a CGPA of not less than 3.5 on a 5 – point scale. Holders of the Benue State University degree or a degree from any other university recognized by the Senate of the Benue State University in chemistry/related disciplines shall be eligible for admission.

In addition to the requirements above, a candidate seeking admission into the Programme MUST have O’ level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and two other science subjects. Candidates can only be admitted for Master’s degree, if their transcripts for certificates are received at Postgraduate school at the time of consideration of application for admission.

2.  Ph.D. Food Chemistry:

Admission shall be opened to candidates who have a minimum of an M.Sc. Degree in Food Chemistry and in any relevant area with a minimum CGPA of 3.50 on a 5-point scale from Benue State University or its equivalent from any other institution recognized by the Senate of Benue State University. Candidates who have deficiencies at their Master’s level or who wish to pursue PhD in areas other than those they did their Master’s would be made to make up such deficiencies along with the doctoral courses. Candidates can only be admitted for doctorate degree, if their transcripts for certificates are received at Postgraduate school at the time of consideration of application for admission.

For inquiries related to the general admission for the programmes at Benue State University, contact Dr. Sylvester Adejo (Deputy Director, Research & Collaboration, CEFTER), E-Mail: sadejo@bsum.edu.ng

Announcer

CEFTER Management

NEWS RELEASE

BSU APPOINTS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR CEFTER

The Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu has approved the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Ejuwa Ogbu as Communications Officer of the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University, Makurdi for a period of two (2) years with effect from 13^th September, 2023.

The new CEFTER Communications Officer, Dr. Ogbu who is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi will lead Corporate Communications team, drive the CEFTER penetration, strategic communications initiatives and stakeholder management. He is a member of reputable bodies including, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), International Communication Association, African Chapter (ICA, Africa), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) among others.

The CEFTER Leader, Dr. Barnabas Achakpa Ikyo expresses delight on his inclusion in the team and enjoins Dr. Ogbu to use his wealth of experience in public communication to enhance the growth and development of the Centre. The Centre Leader also enjoins CEFTER Management and staff to support the new Communications Officer to enable him make valuable contributions to the project.

Signed:

Management

The Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) has selected a number of eleven (11) startup innovators to benefit from their startup grant scheme. The selection was done through two competitive processes. The innovators will receive both technical and financial support within the next three months to upscale their products. They were awarded the sum of Six Hundred thousand Naira each (#600,000) by the Vice Chancellor on Thursday 18^th May 2023 at the Benue State University Senate Chambers.

The first ten (10) beneficiaries were selected through the “Agro Hack Challenge”. This program was done in partnership with the UNDP (Through the Benue Agribusiness Innovation Hub – BAI Hub) and the First City Monument Bank (FCMB). The Challenge pulled over one thousand applications from all over Nigeria with solutions that were centered on controlling food loss, food processing, fabrication of equipment and promoting globally recognized agricultural processes.

The additional one (1) Startup innovator was a result of a strict competition judged by a startup committee that was made up of experts in Entrepreneurship and innovation.

The selected startups are currently undergoing a three (3) months incubation (booth camp) during which they will interact with experts in different fields for technical support and undergo some training on market research, product development, testing and validation, business model canvas, business competency, financial modelling, legalities, team and leadership development, and innovator business branding.

Joint Research Partnership Scheme launched by the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich UK and the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University Nigeria.

Barnabas Ikyo – Director, CEFTER and Sheryl Hendriks- Director, NRI

Following successful teaching collaboration over the last five years, the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich and the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) Benue State University have agreed to expand their collaboration in research. The new research partnership scheme will operate through an internal competition with funds contributed by both partners. The funds will be used to support innovative research directions, generate data and produce outputs that lead to expanded future collaborative research opportunities.

NRI and CEFTER will each contribute £50,000 for the academic year 2023/2024 to grow research excellence and future research revenues through their partnership. The aim is to fund a minimum of five projects. NRI’s funding for this joint research scheme is drawn from its Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (FaNSI) Programme, while funds from CEFTER are drawn from the World Bank funded Africa Centre of Excellence project. The funding from each partner will be used to cover their own associated staff time and research costs, e.g. travel.

For NRI, this initiative aligns with Greenwich University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Sub- strategy whose priorities include: conducting world leading, rigorous, impactful/creative research through sector leading knowledge exchange addressing local, national and international challenges and teaching and learning informed by research, practice and knowledge exchange.

For CEFTER-BSU, funding aligns with the core objectives of the Africa Centers of Excellence for Development Impact project, which include: carrying out world leading, rigorous, impactful/creative research, sector based knowledge exchange addressing local, regional and international challenges, production of quality research that will lead to control of postharvest losses, and production of high quality joint publications from student based academic research in partnerships with regional and international academics.

The research scheme will support applications that show potential for success in the following research areas: termite control, innovations in low cost postharvest technologies for smallholder farmers and food processors, nutritional profiling of indigenous foods recommended for diabetic patients, packaging and transportation of tropical fruits and national food supply forecasting, including import and export deficits for rice and cassava and quantification of citrus and cassava produce in Benue State, Nigeria.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT!!

1. CEFTER Innovation Competition organizers have announced the first two winners of the competition as follows:
   1. Mhambe Sesugh Solomon and
   2. Sefa Veronica Aondowase
2. Consequent upon this announcement, the said winners are requested to immediately proceed to CEFTER Office Complex New GRA Makurdi with valid means of identification for an interface with the organizers.
3. Kindly treat as urgent

For further enquires, call:

+2348096475251

+2348039779727

+2348054557652

CEFTER TRAINS NON ACADEMIC STAFF OF BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI

By Jacob Shagbaor Suemo

Benue State University Centre for Food Technology and Research In collaboration with the Benue state University Consultancy Services Unit recently organized a week long training workshop for all nonacademic staff of Benue State University Makurdi.

Declaring the workshop opened, Centre Leader and Director CEFTER Dr. Barnabas Ikyo said the training workshop was a capacity busting workshop for nonacademic staff of the University. Dr Ikyo emphasised that the activity is part of the Centre’s contributions towards enhancing  administrative competencies and inculcating globally acceptable work ethics in nonacademic staff members of the university.

The Centre leader therefore called on participants to take the training seriously because it holds a lot of promise on their job performance metrics going forward.

The Centre Leader assured that the persons assembled to drive the training were well acclaimed experts in their respective fields who would do justice to the theme of the workshop satisfactorily.

Earlier in his comment at the opening ceremony, the Director Consultancy Services, Benue State University Makardi, Dr. Ben Ayaka explained that the nonacademic staff of the University have been categorized already into specific groups according to the kind of services they render to the university and as such they would be trained in batches.

The Director Consult said participants would be taking turns at the training based on the categories articulated and communicated to them accordingly.

 Consequently, Staff of CEFTER were the last to be trained with amazing testimonies of how the workshop has strengthened their individual capacities to deliver on their statutory obligations at their respective duty posts.

Some of the participants who spoke to CEFTER News Desk,  Mr shiishi Solomon, Mr. Jacob Anza, Mr. Bill, Dr. Ayabam, Mr. Labeh, Mr. Aku and Miss Kumawuese in their respective responses  all appreciated the organizers of the training workshop for the opportunity given them to participate in the training adding that the exercise exposed them to so many aspects of their professional careers particularly as it concerns, work ethics, administrative integrity, acceptable official  culture and essential work etiquettes.

CEFTER Communication desk office gathered that only highly skilled professionals( resource persons) were assembled within and outside the state to handle specific subjects at the training and they all did well in their individual delivery capacities.

Highlights of the occasion were the heated interactive sessions at the workshop, group pictures, lunch and certificates.

CEFTER’s 2023 FOOD WEEK AND EXHIBITION: SHOWCASING SCIENTIFIC INNOVATIONS FOR CONTROL OF POSTHARVEST FOOD LOSSES IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

By
Jacob Shagbaor Suemo

CEFTER recently assembled key stakeholders in the Nigerian agricultural value chain to her official complex to witness this year’s annual student activity – FOOD WEEK and Exhibition. The expectation was to have distinguished invited guests assess the food processing technologies invented by students using Centre facilities and laboratories.

Declaring the ceremony opened, the Vice Chancellor Benue State University, Prof. Joe-Tor Iorapuu who was represented by the Dean Faculty of Sciences Prof Bernard Atu expressed satisfaction at the quality of efforts that had gone into preparing and organizing the ceremony by the various groups describing it as a product of the commitment and visionary leadership of the Centre.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Centre Leader and Director CEFTER, Dr. Barnabas Ikyo explained that the student activity was aimed at exposing students to practical problem solving platforms targeting product development from common food crops.

The Centre Leader revealed that products exhibited by the students had been processed in quality laboratories with world class equipment and very healthy production environments. He assured that CEFTER would note the novelty displayed by the students and properly document and eventually develop same accordingly in the light of the postharvest control areas targeted by the innovations.

In her remarks before leading distinguished invited guests to the exhibition stand, the Deputy Centre Leader and Deputy Director Operations Prof. Gillian Ogbene Igbum said the students were divided into seven groups and assigned mentors respectively to guide them along the processing stages of their assigned food crops up to the exhibition of the finished products.

Prof. Igbum emphasized that the Centre takes the event seriously because the products developed were born out of carefully applied scientific research protocols and laboratory sessions.

The students had in the cause of the food week been exposed to various lecture sessions from hired professional consultants in various fields including, food processing, budgeting, patenting, royalties and food marketing.

In attendance at the event in representative capacities were the Hon Commissioners for Benue State Ministries of; Agriculture and Natural resources, Trade and Investment and the ministry of Education. All of the representatives appreciated CEFTER Leadership for the initiative and called for the greater participation of industry players to power the innovations into projects that would collectively enhance the agricultural value chain of the West African sub region.

Other CEFTER Partners in attendance were the Rector, Akperan Orshi Polytechnic Gboko, SERAPH Oil, Hule and sons and BERNADA respectively among others.

Highlights of the occasion were goodwill messages form invited guests, a tour of the exhibition tables and presentation from the seven group leaders and group pictures.

By

Jacob Shagbaor Suemo

A team comprising of representatives of Association of African Universities (AAU) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) paid Benue state University Centre for Food Technology and Research a scheduled verification visit to ascertain the level of implementation of certain aspects of the ACE Development Impact Project.

Receiving the visitors at the Senate Chambers of Benue State University in company of other principal officers, the Vice Chancellor Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu appreciated them for the visit assuring that CEFTER has so far done well and the team’s visit would further validate the assertion. He wished them well and assured of the maximum cooperation of management to ensure a hitch free verification exercise.

Verification Team from the AAU

He further appreciated the World Bank and AAU for situating the project in the University. Prof Iorapuu explained that the project has been beneficial to the institution which has made the State Government hand over the ADC building to the university to further continue the good work this project has brought to the institution.

In her remark, on the purpose of the visit, Head of the joint Team, Dr Gabrielle Hansen appreciated BSU management for the warm reception and expressed delight for being among the Team and for visiting the institution for the 2nd time.

She stated that the objective of the visit is to ensure that the DLI 7.6 (ICT Infrastructure) is being attended to appropriately and what is expected to be done is correctly executed as expected. She explained that their assignment is merely a facts finding mission after which a report would be sent to the AAU for appropriate necessary action. The Team Leader however explained that it was a friendly visit and a well-known routine on the ACE Impact project.

The NUC representative on the team, Mr Peter Tobrise clarified that the visit was to ensure that DLI 7.6 is carried out seamlessly without challenges and that the team is ready to offer ready assistance where needed during the visit. He concluded by presenting Dr. John Attah’s goodwill message to BSU Management.

Earlier while presenting the visitors to the Vice Chancellor, the Centre Leader and Director CEFTER, Dr. Barnabas Iko appreciated the Vice Chancellor for granting them audience at a very short notice. He said under DL 1 7.6, CEFTER has subscribed 1Gbs internet for the entire University and also installed 10 lecture halls five (5) of which are fully digitized. The Centre Leader affirmed that the meeting was part of the prerequisites for the ACE Development Impact Project hence scheduled.

On the joint team were following members, Mrs Gabrielle Hansen (Team leader) AAU, Schenineda Ankomah AAU, Kwesi Yanksun, Consultant for AAU, Sunday Folayan, Consultant for AAU, Peter Tobrise – NUC and Oluwatobi Fowora, NUC

While from the University, The Vice Chancellor, Principal Officers, CEFTER Project Team and Management officers were on ground to receive the visitors.

Highlight of the visit were group photographs, facility visits and a heartfelt exchange of pleasantries.

CEFTER INNOVATION COMPETITION CALL FOR ENTRIES

INTRODUCTION

The Centre of Excellence for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) was established by the Benue State University (BSU) with the support of the World Bank to address the challenges of post-harvest losses and other technologies in the food value chain. Continue reading →