Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) Singapore and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) have signed a pioneering Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance sustainability-focused education in the F&B sector at the tertiary level. The agreement, signed at NYP's L’Rez, involves Angeline Tan, Head of Country at UFS Singapore, and Loh Chuu Yi, Deputy Principal (Academic) at NYP, committing to initiatives that promote food sustainability through knowledge sharing and talent development.
Amid Singapore's significant food wastage issue, documented by the National Environmental Agency which reported 744,000 tonnes of food waste in 2019, with 40% originating from commercial and industrial sectors annually, Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) emphasizes in their 2024 Future Menus report that waste reduction is crucial beyond sustainability. The report, based on insights from 250 professional chefs and feedback from 1,600 chef professionals across 21 markets, underscores the value of maximizing ingredient potential and crafting compelling food narratives that foster community. UFS has responded with "Low-Waste Menus," offering recipes designed to inspire chefs and business owners to minimize costs and food waste.
In Singapore, UFS is focused on partnering with higher education institutions to address the food waste challenge through pre-workforce education. UFS and NYP plan to enhance learning through joint talent development and knowledge-sharing initiatives, such as talks, workshops, internships, and projects. The Diploma in Food & Beverage Business at NYP enrolls up to 70 students per intake, with an anticipated 350 graduates over the next five years.
Through NYP’s Professional Competency Model (PCM), industry partners come in to co-develop curriculum, co-teach and co-certify learners, to equip them with the most relevant and in-demand skills and competencies. As a key partner from the F&B sector, UFS will provide expert advice and content to help shape the Diploma in Food & Beverage Business curriculum and equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to perform real work tasks.
As a global leader in food services, with a network of over 250 professional chefs across 70 countries, UFS is leveraging its extensive industry knowledge to collaborate with NYP in developing a new Future Food & Sustainability Management module. This module, along with a Food Safety & Hygiene unit, will enhance the Food Safety & Sustainability Management course at NYP. UFS and NYP will jointly design curriculum, learning plans, and study materials to prepare students for the dynamic trends and opportunities in the evolving F&B sector.
UFS’ collaboration with NYP extends beyond the academic curriculum. The company will actively promote and facilitate knowledge sharing on emerging sustainable trends in the F&B industry. Additionally, UFS will provide technical training to NYP staff to enhance their expertise in teaching sustainability and technology within the F&B sector. Aligned with Singapore government initiatives for lifelong learning, UFS and NYP will also explore jointly developing short courses focused on sustainability in food business for adult learners.
