Department of Food Science And Technology

Following the establishment of the university from the defunct CST in 1980 as Nigerian Premier University of Science and Technology, the Food Science and Technology programme was upgraded to degree level.  A full fledged Department of Food Science and Technology was established in 1990 with the acquisition of a brand new office block (Risonpalm House) and movement from the old to the new site in 1993.

Since then the Department has forged ahead very strongly in terms of academic activities and now offers courses leading to the award of B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D degrees in Food Science and Technology. The Home Science and Management (HSM) programme was started in 1999 and offers a degree course in HSM for both regular and part-time students. 

PROFILE OF THE HOD

Prof Patience C. Obinna-Echem

patience.obinna-echem@ust.edu.ng/+234 9094000342

Engagement/Roles in the University

Prof Patience C. Obinna-Echem is passionate in raising future Food Scientists with the culture of minimal risk. Her engagement in RSU, started from Graduate Assistant to Lecturer II, Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Reader and now a Professor of Food Science and Technology with specialization in Food Microbiology/Quality Control and Assurance.

She has served and is still serving the university in different capacities: Departmental and Faculty Examination Officer; Faculty Representative in different University Committees including Senate Undergraduate Curriculum and Instructions Committee (where she is intensively involved in the development and review of programme curriculums); Senate Representative in University Accommodation Advisory Committee; Permanent member of the University Senate; and the current Head, Department of Food Science and Technology.

Education

Prof Patience academic laurel began in St. George’s Primary School Oduoha-Emohua, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate with Distinction in 1985. In 1991 she had her Senior Secondary School Certificate with six Alphas and 3 credits, as the best result in that year in Community Secondary School Oduoha-Emohua. She obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Food Science and Technology from Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University), in 1998 with five different awards and National Youth Service Corps Certificate in 1999. Patience obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Food Quality and Safety Management; and Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) from Plymouth University, United Kingdom in 2005 and 2014, respectively. 

Research/Supervision

Prof Patience research focused heavily on Nigerian Foods with key areas on fermented foods and probiotics, food microbiology, food quality and safety, food composition and analysis, and local raw materials product development. She authored over 60 publications in different referred international and local journals including laboratory manuals/workbooks in Food Microbiology and a book section. As a resilient researcher, she has supervised many at the undergraduate and postgraduate (PgD, M.Sc. And PhD) levels, and a reviewer of many professional journals. 

Certification/Membership of Professional Bodies

Prof Patience is a certified Food Scientist of Nigeria (CFSN), a member of several professional bodies (NIFST; IFST, UK; and ASM, USA) and has attended several local and international conferences and workshops.

Birth/Marriage

Born to the family of Oha Clement O. Wekere and Mrs. Grace wekere, Prof Patience is the widow of Late Prince Harold Obinna Echem in Mgbuoshimini-Oroazi. A happy marriage that was blessed with two lovely children, before the loss. Not daunted by circumstance though a tangible agony, she has risen to the peak of her career as Professor.