School of Life Sciences Ooty

Division of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics

The Division of Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics at the School of Life Sciences, Ooty since inception from 2019 has evolved with a vision to create leaders who transform lives, making it not just about education but about igniting a passion for making the world healthier. The Division stands as a beacon of excellence in providing holistic health education by exploring diverse perspectives in nutrition and health, thereby bridging the gap between food and humankind. The division offers a unique blend of academic excellence, practical exposure, research and extension opportunities by integrating science, innovation, and tradition to cultivate professionals, aligning their careers with global standards while addressing local needs, who shape the future of health and wellness. This balance of global relevance and regional focus makes the department a standout choice for aspiring food technologists, nutritionists, and dietitians to work in a rapidly advancing industry and healthcare sector that has an unmet demand for highly qualified graduates.

Department highlights

• Expert faculty fraternity who are active researchers and share the latest knowledge in food science and nutrition, community nutrition, food safety, food processing and new food product development.
• Key research provider in food science and nutrition research covering dietary profiles and food consumption patterns across age and physiological groups, trends in the nutritional status of the population, community-based projects on weaning practices, and tribal health, as well as innovative product formulations with nutraceutical and therapeutic functionality.
• Service of Nutrition Clinic

Programme highlights

• Students gaining research experience
• Skill-based learning integrating sustainable food practices and modern nutritional sciences
• Refinement of laboratory skills during practical and research courses.
• Acquiring a detailed understanding of industry operations and gain valuable professional skills
• Comprehension to tackle global and regional challenges such as malnutrition, food security, lifestyle-related diseases, and advancements in the food technology sector.
• Tailoring studies to students interests and career goals with specialised electives
• Work placements

Research Activities

Focusing primarily on advanced research in food technology and clinical nutrition, the division also strives to integrate community-based approaches with cutting-edge science, fostering skills to impact rural and urban populations alike. The department has successfully established strong research avenues that work on multi-disciplinary aspects and provide evidence-based research inputs, like

• Dietary surveys and nutritional counselling
• Clinical research in clinical Nutrition
• Community nutrition-based survey studies
• Product development studies
• Food analytical studies

Academic Activities

• Hands-on training workshops
• Project internships in well-established and equipped research laboratories
• Internships in hospitals, food industries, and various NGOs
• Guidance on writing research proposals and applications for external funding agencies
• Research publications, and dissertations
• Encourage students scientific presentation at international and national conferences and seminars.
• Hands-on training at various healthcare and food industries
• Motivating students to take up competitive examinations (UGC-NET/JRF, SLET, Food Inspector etc) as well as continuing the higher education (Enrolment for Ph.D.)

Departmental Activities

The department also engages in various activities aiming towards the collective development of the students.

• Observation of key days related to the department, such as World Food Day, Obesity Day, Food Security Day, Breastfeeding Week, Nutrition Week
• Various fun and exciting extracurricular activities and competitions
• Organizing interactive sessions of conferences, workshops, and seminars with seasoned guest speakers
• Conducting community nutrition extension programs and many more.