Statement of Motivation FAO - Hungary Government Scholarship in Master of Food

Safety and Quality Engineering

Dear Committee,

Allow me first, to express my deepest gratitude to Szent Istvan University for allowing me to
take part in the selection process. I am Kelali Mehari, am an Assistant Lecturer and Researcher
in Haramaya University Ethiopia. Herewith, I would like to request your kind permission as to
request a review and further assessment for myself to be considered as a student for a Master’s
degree in Szent Istvan University Kindly allow me to briefly elaborate the reasoning of my
request.

Since I want to deepen my previous education in Food Science and Post-harvest Technology, the
perfect choice for my graduate study is at Haramaya University I would like to conduct a Master
of Master Food Safety and Quality Engineering as first preference .I’m interested in studying
food production processes as an integrated system and their relation to the legal, economic, risk
management and communication aspect of food safety. I consider that I can get valuable
knowledge about the determinant factor of sustainable development. And I also believe the
course will give me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge about legal and policy aspects.

During my study of Bachelor of Science (BSc.), I used to make a group and discuss on how to
discharge the knowledge we got on the area of Food Science and Technology and Food Security.
I believe that before implementing a technology, trained individuals in an area is imperative and
that is why I have been working hard with the aim of being one of the department’s assistant in
educating people in this professional area. Fortunately soon after graduation, I recruited by
Haramaya University as Graduate Assistant on August 14, 2018, because I fulfilled all the
requirements of academic excellence and language proficiency. Since I became a collaborator in
the department, I have been teaching undergraduate students the courses like Food Quality
control, Assurance & Legislation, Unit Operation in Food Processing, Principles of Food
Processing and Preservation, Beverages processing Technology, Suger processing Technology,
Food Drying Technology, and assisting laboratory practical works. Besides these extracurricular,
I have been coordinating the students in visiting the nearby located food industries to depict them
for the practical aspects too. These all exposures instigated me to broaden my scope in the Food
Science and Technology Engineering area of study in Master of Science. The juvenile
department of Food Science and Post harvest Technology, being young and having a shortage of
skilled individuals in the area (especially in Food Security) need trained manpower to meet its
mission for implementing the Science and Technology of food which is the burning issue of the
country’s policy entitled as ‘Agriculture-Led-Industrialization’.

This Master course offers everything I need to become an expert in Food Safety and Quality
Engineering. The program is taught through collaboration between academics with world-class
expertise in diverse aspects of food safety and gives students an opportunity to learn about a
wide range of problems in food safety and their application. Furthermore, the outline of this
program provides a balance between technical analysis including microbiology and toxicology,
and food policy framework. Also, the master course offers broad specializations, such as applied
food safety, food safety law, and supply chain safety.

In my university years, I was active in my program. I was an assistant for food processing
engineering and agricultural product quality evaluation and learnt the basics of food processing
along with skills to review and measure the properties and quality of food. I learnt further when I
did an internship for one of Ethiopia’s biggest research institutes, Ethiopian Coffee and Cacao
Research Institute, working in the product process and quality department. Working with this
institution has given me many important insights on the importance of delivering high-quality
food. This was very rewarding as it led me to gain a grant for my final research entitled Quality
of Bread from composite flour on sorghum and hard white winter wheat & “Process Analysis of
Sorghum Crackers Drainage Using Hybrid Type Dryer with Energy Sourced from Solar Light
and Biomass”. This research aimed to improve the quality of drainage food product properties
and the potential to produce best quality food based on local resources.

I was involved in some experience such as supervisor in the program handling food-insecure
areas in East Haraghe ,Adama ,East Ethiopia by Ministry of Rural, Development of
Disadvantaged Areas, and Transmigration and was involved in some voluntary experiences such
Green Village Harar (voluntary action to make a green environment based on organic farming),
as a coordinator. By taking this Master’s course I hope I can deepen my knowledge, improve the
quality of my work and continue my contribution for Ethiopia.
Co-operation and mobility programmed in the field of higher education, which promotes the
Hungary as a center of excellence in learning to which I am applying is very appreciated by your
courses and manner of offering detailed knowledge. I preferred this programme to study Master
of Science in Food Safety and Quality Engineering to broaden my knowledge in the area at
Szent Istvan University, Hungary from which is a very known and among leading higher and
international institution especially in area of technological innovations. My study duration at
Szent Istvan University, they will believingly provide me with the experience of Europe,
Hungary culture and I will introduce their interesting customs to my home country.

Szent Istvan University is also known as one of the best for its specializations in food Safety
under the Faculty Food Science, which means that I will be taught by top researchers and
experts. Studying in Szent Istvan University, Hungary also offers opportunities for professional
networking, and will be my collaboration partner in the future. This will bring me to the
greatness of Ethiopia food safety development. Pursuing a Master’s degree in Szent Istvan
University will not only help me to gain better knowledge, but also to open my vision more
about developing food safety in a global perspective. I can fit with this program considering my
background study, my life experiences, my maturity and my passion.

With my past learning and work experience I think I have the skills in conditions of knowledge
grasp, research, communication and adaption to fit in with the needs of the courses. I strongly
feel I deserve a place here for I have the enthusiasm with a high level of motivation and abilities
to contribute to the development of food products.

Based on my background and interest, I think it is a good turning point for me to start graduate
study in Food Safety and Quality Engineering programme. The high standard education,
dynamic international learning environment and interaction with people from different
background is exactly what I am looking for on my study. With intercultural skills, strong
perseverance and spirit of adventure, I am positive that I will carry out my following study
successfully hence be able to step forward to be a qualified engineer in food industry.

At the end of my study, I believe that I can contribute to the development of Ethiopian food
nutrition and safety activities in academia. I will teach at the Department of Food Science and
Technology at Haramaya University. At the same time, I have a dream to be a director of
Ethiopian Agriculture Consultant focusing on community-based sustainable agriculture and food
safety. Finally, becoming a Ministry of Agricultural Affairs in the next 15 years is one of my
long-term plans, so I am ready to take this place and get involved with my hard work and best
efforts. Hopefully, with suitable courses that fit with my interest and prior education, my study in
Szent Istvan University would lead me into a brighter future to give a valuable contribution to
Ethiopia.

As a Food Science and Technology major, the subject that concerns with wine or beer brewing
technology, Food processing and quality control attracted me the most. The intriguing flavour
and appearance of the wine stimulated my curiosity and passion on how brewing process and
original materials affect the former. When thinking of being employed in the sector, I keenly felt
the lack of knowledge obtained over undergraduate period hence planned to enlarge my
academic knowledge base. The internship in the professional and vibrant R&D environment
strengthened my wish to continue my study in Europe. The courses of Food Science together
with high quality industrial practice will be a perfect complement to my academic background
and promote my creativity. The mobility around European universities will allow me not only to
get well educated in top institutions like Szent Istvan University with various academic styles,
but to soak in the diverse culture. I believe my current knowledge meets the academic
requirement for the entry to the programme already.

The field for which I am applying is directly related with my professional experience. I have held
my BSc. degree which is almost the same field (Food Science and Post Harvest Technology) and
have been dwelling and working with it up to now which had broaden my scope of interest in the
area. I am factual that I will successfully complete my Master of Science study without any
difficulty and impenetrability. I consider myself a good candidate for this scholarship because I
am young, energetic, hardworking, intelligent, visionary and motivated person who believe that I
can do something for the benefit of my country to which I have been working. Lastly, allow me
to express that I do strongly believe that I deserve to be in the list of master degree student from
this respectful institution to continue my study in Hungary. I will be patiently waiting for a
positive reply. Please accept my deepest appreciation and gratitude to your further assessment
and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kelali Mehari Araya Kelalim.
References:

1. Getachew Neme (Dr.)

Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs
Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology
Haramaya Institute of Technology
Haramaya University
E-mail: getachewneme@yahoo.com
Mob: +251-938034824
Fax:
2. Melese Temesegn (Dr)
Assistant Professor in Food Science Technology & Nutrition
Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology
Haramaya Institute of Technology
Haramaya University
E-Mail: melese2b@gmail.com
Mob: +251-9 12097802
Fax: