New Semester, Proven Programme: 10 years of Master Food Science at the Faculty of Life Sciences!
As students prepare to begin their studies at our faculty, we would like to provide some insight into how the journey can continue after graduation.
On 23 June 2023, a special event marked the path of many students: the 10th anniversary of the Master's programme in Food Science. With over 150 graduates in this degree programme so far, this was the perfect occasion for the first ALUMNI meeting. Almost fifty participants, including former and current students as well as teachers, gathered in the flowering teaching and display gardens at the Faculty's Tropical House. Coordinator of the ALUMNI network, Lisa Waberg, was also present and was accompanied by her student assistant, Johannes Bäumer. For many, it was not only a reunion, but also an opportunity to exchange ideas about how to continue the journey after graduation.
In his opening speech, Dean Prof. Dr. Peter Scholz emphasised the importance of the ALUMNI for the university and how important it is to show students what doors are open to them after graduation. Prof. Dr. Florian Kugler, programme director, then gave a detailed overview of the developments of the programme and the career paths of the graduates. It is worth mentioning that 96% of the graduates work in Germany, with the majority working in the districts of Kleve and Wesel.
A special moment was the barbecue buffet, where chocolate and vanilla ice cream made in the faculty's food technology centre was served. Here the students were able to network with the ALUMNI and gain valuable insights into the professional world after graduation.
Prof. Kugler commented: "I was very pleased that so many former students came to Kleve; one student even travelled from Austria for our ALUMNI meeting. I am also grateful to the ALUMNI for their feedback regarding the redesign of the curriculum in the course of the upcoming reaccreditation of the degree programme as well as the job advertisements they brought with them from their companies. The graduates of the Master's programme in Food Science have very good opportunities in the food industry. In some companies, several graduates of the programme have already been hired; at one location of a well-known company in NRW, four graduates are already working."
The meeting ended with a unanimous decision: This will not be the last ALUMNI meeting of the Master's programme in Food Science. It is expected to hold more ALUMNI meetings in a few years and hopefully see many new faces.
This is just one example of what the journey after graduation might look like. For the students who are just starting their academic journey, it was an inspiring glimpse into the future. The Faculty of Life Sciences looks forward to accompanying them every step of the way!