The School of Nutrition and Food Science of Nugaal University (NU) started the BSc. program in Human Nutrition in 2017 as a Four years program. However, this curriculum needed to be revised to have standard program. Coursework in Nutrition and Food Science includes core science-based courses, theoretical and practical training in specific skill areas such as nutrition counseling techniques, food safety, integrative nutrition and metabolism, and nutrition and the lifecycle.
Rationale of the Program
In this country, The data revealed that 44 % of under-five children are stunted, while 29 % and 10 % are underweight and wasted respectively. Currently, protein energy malnutrition is also among the top three causes of under-five mortality in this country. Different studies also show that micronutrient deficiencies like iron deficiency anemia, iodine and vitamin A deficiency are also very common, especially very young children and women of reproductive age. It is, therefore very important to develop this program to produce professionals equipped with all the technical skill and knowledge to tackle the above mentioned problems which requires expertise in the field of Human Nutrition
Objectives
The overall objectives of the Human Nutrition program envisage a national and international collaborative work in nutrition training, research and community nutrition knowledge and approaches to contribute to the alleviation of malnutrition and therefore to the development of Somali society and their region. The bachelor of science program in Human Nutrition aims at producing graduates who are well equipped with skill and basic knowledge in Human Nutrition, capable of integrating the gained knowledge and applying it fruitfully for the benefit of the society and the country with professional ethics in their mind and responsibilities in their related carrier practices or in doing research and development Work.
Specific objectives
- To train and produce professionals in the field of human nutrition
- To produce undergraduate students with concepts of nutrition and allied courses
- To produce trained personnel for nutrition counseling at various levels
- To properly address the national nutrition problems and to promote the nutrition Wellbeing of the country.
- To provide community service
- To improve food security, and work on poverty reduction and life style of the society
- To assist basic and applied researches being undertaken in human nutrition and basic sciences
- Reduce maternal, infant and child morbidity and mortality rate