Hong Kong students study tour to CAFRE

Twenty food students and three staff from the Institute of Vocational Education, Hong Kong, spent 16 very busy but rewarding days at the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) this summer.

Hong Kong students making ice cream in the Food Technology Centre Loughry Campus.

The students, who had just completed the first year of the Higher Diploma in Food Technology, came to Northern Ireland to learn about local food and drink and explore opportunities to gain further qualifications. The Agri-Food Study Tour was run in partnership with Ulster University and involved a wide range of workshops, industry visits, university visits and cultural experiences. 

One of the highlights for the students was getting up close and personal with dairy cows at Denis Minford’s farm in Crumlin. Hong Kong imports most of its food products, with the exception of poultry and pigs, so seeing farm animals first hand was a unique experience.  During a series of food technology workshops at Loughry Campus, the students manufactured products including ice cream, burgers and bread and also designed some new products in the Food Innovation Centre. Visits to commercial food manufacturing companies showed the students how quality products from Northern Ireland are exported across the world.

Needless to say it wasn’t all work. The group enjoyed many of the cultural activities that Northern Ireland has to offer. The Giant’s Causeway was very popular as was the Marble Arch Caves, city tours and the civic reception hosted by Mid Ulster District Council. This unique visit allowed the Hong Kong visitors to learn about our food supply chain and the excellent education opportunities that exist in Northern Ireland. Students and staff were very impressed by what Northern Ireland has to offer and were keen to return to further their studies. 

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