The School of Industrial Technology recently organised an enriching day-long educational visit across Perak for 35 second-year Food Technology students. Led by academic staff members Dr. Syahariza, Dr. Norlia, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan, the excursion provided students with a comprehensive, on-the-ground look into modern food manufacturing, quality assurance, and sustainable processing systems.
Experiencing Processing Excellence Firsthand
The trip encompassed technical tours of two major industrial operations:
- Dindings Poultry Processing Sdn. Bhd. (Sitiawan): Students observed high-capacity processing operations governed by stringent food safety protocols and Halal compliance. The facility tour gave undergraduates a close-up perspective on cold chain management, automated slaughtering and evisceration systems, and hazard prevention in large-scale meat processing.
- Chuan Sin Sdn. Bhd. / Spritzer (Taiping): At one of the country’s leading bottled water manufacturers, the cohort explored mineral water extraction, advanced multi-stage microfiltration, cleanroom bottling technology, and sustainable packaging operations within the Spritzer EcoPark facility.
Bringing Textbooks to Life
While classroom lectures establish the fundamental principles of food engineering, microbial control, and unit operations, witnessing industrial-scale plants running in real time bridged critical gaps in comprehension. Observing automated production lines, sanitary equipment designs, and strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) allowed the students to directly correlate academic theory with daily industrial practice.
Inspiring Exchanges with USM Alumni
A major highlight of the visit was the opportunity to reconnect with USM Food Technology alumni currently driving technical and operational roles at both plants. During informal networking sessions, the alumni shared their career trajectories, offered realistic advice on transitioning from academia to the workforce, and addressed the evolving technical demands of the food and beverage sector.
This exposure not only enhanced the students' technical awareness but also provided invaluable perspective on potential career pathways, reinforcing the School of Industrial Technology's commitment to producing industry-ready graduates.
