World Food Day Theme 2010 – “UNITED AGAINST HUNGER” Activities at the Faculty of Agriculture

Contributor: Mrs Esha Aumjaud, academic staff at the Faculty of Agriculture. 

Students of the Faculty organised and participated in several activities to sensitise the University’s staff and students on the need to be “United against hunger”.  The chairperson of the students’ organising committee was Sanjeenee Cannoosamy, BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3).  The planning and implementation of the various activities was facilitated by the Faculty’s staff.  During his deanship (from December 2007 to December 2010), Associate Professor D. Puchooa, has given full support and encouragement to students’ initiatives inspired by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Food Day themes. The following activities were undertaken to mark the WFD 2010 at the Faculty.

 Creative writing competition: Postgraduate and undergraduate students were invited to submit a written essay (2500-3000 words) on the topic: “United against hunger.  Myth or Reality”. The assessment panel consisted of the following academics of the Faculty:  Associate Professor F. Driver (Chairperson), Mr S. Khoyratty and  Ms D. Ramful. Link to “Creative Writing Competition Assessment Criteria”


Winners and Participants:

• Nadia Koyratty , Food Science and Technology (Year 3)    WINNER
• Risha Hurreeram, Food Science and Technology (Year 3)   RUNNER UP
• Amrita Bhantooa, BSc (Hons) Biotechnology (Year 1)
• Arthi Deenoo, BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3)  

Poster competition: Postgraduate and undergraduate students were invited to submit a poster to demonstrate how a specific field of study at the Faculty of Agriculture contributes to reach Millennium Development Goal 1, “Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger”, which calls for halving the hungry people in the world by 2015.  One poster was accepted per programme of study.  The assessment panel consisted of the following academics of the Faculty: Mrs R. Brizmohun-Gopaul (Chairperson),  Mrs B. Aumjaud and Ms. S. Oogathoo. Link to “Poster Competition Assessment Criteria”

Winners and Participants:

• BSc (Hons) Agricultural Biotechnology (Year 3)    WINNER
• BSc (Hons) Forestry (Year 2)                                  RUNNER UP
• BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3)

World Food Day Theme Ceremony: Staff and students of the Faculty were gathered on Friday 19^th November 2010, from 11.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, in Lecture Theatre II, New Academic Complex of the University of Mauritius, to reflect on the significance of being united against hunger.  The opening speech was prepared and delivered by Nadia Koyratty, BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3).  Winners and participants of the creative writing and poster competitions were announced and congratulated. The ceremony ended with a speech prepared and delivered by Arthi Deenoo, BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3), to pay tribute to the Dean of Faculty who will complete his deanship in December 2010. Links to Opening Speech and Tribute to Dean Speech



World Food Day Theme Representation by Faculty’s students during the ceremony held on 19^th November 2010:  Students were inspired by the “RAINBOW” to symbolise UNITY.  They made use of their imagination and talents to show that the World Food Day DREAM theme can become REALITY.    The script for the student representation was written by Arthi Deenou and narrated by Jouana Appadoo, BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3).  The music recording was compiled by Arthi and Jouana. The representation ended with a song performed by Xavier Bergicourt (lead singer), BSc (Hons) Agriculture with specialisation Agricultural Extension (Year 3) and students’ choir.  The lyrics and music of the song were adapted from: “Any Dream Will Do” song of the English musical “Joseph and the amazing technicolour dream coat” by Andrew Llyod Webber and Tim Rice; “Pas Per Rever” song from the Mauritian version of the musical, entitled “Zozef Ek So Palto Larkansiel” by Dev Virahsawmy and Gérard Sullivan.  The following students were also actively involved in realising the show: Nashreen Ochootoya; Lubna Yearoo; Shaima Baccus; Luxmi Ratti; Shaffiq Kinoo; Clency Lisette; Nandini Moutoussamy; Nousraat Meajaun; Shaheen Goulvaden and Risha Hurreeram.  Mr. Ashok Dabeedial guided the students to design the backdrop rainbow. Links to  World Food Day Theme Representation Script and Any Dream Will Do / Pas  Per Rever song lyrics.

Collection of non-perishable food items on the University campus from 15^th November to 19^th November 2010:  This activity was organised by the students and the administrative staff of the Faculty in collaboration with the University’s Public Relations Office.   The food collection poster was designed by Renu Bhicoo, BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3).  


The collected food items were donated to the children of the Centre d’Education et de Developpement pour les Enfants Mauriciens (CEDEM), on the 26^th November 2010, by Mrs Amrita Nivault, the University’s Public Relations Officer, and a group of students from the BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology (Year 3) and BSc (Hons) Agriculture with specialisation in Agricultural Extension (Year 3) programmes, on behalf of UOM staff and students.   


CEDEM is a non-governmental organisation and its values are based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child  According to Mrs Rita Venkatasawmy, the Executive Director of CEDEM, “through the years the organisation has offered to children hope for a better future”.