The demand for processed food continues to rise as consumers seek high-quality, safe, nutritious and attractively packaged value-added products. Developing countries like Jamaica must adopt new technologies in order to meet this demand.
 
The Department of Chemistry at The UWI, Mona has created a  Master of Science degree  in Food and Agro-Processing Technology (M.Sc FAPT)  to meet an identified need for training, education and research in food systems and in response to the general thrust towards food security.  The programme  provides technical professionals who are trained to be innovative,  to take advantage of market opportunities and also apply appropriate modern processing technologies.
 
It aims to transform local processed food systems by promoting the conversion of local raw material to create high quality consumer products. It also promotes Research and Innovation by developing new products and processes, using local crops.
 
Lectures are delivered by internationally renowned faculty, while collaborative research is underway with partner Universities in the USA. Select students may also receive sponsorship to participate in international conferences.