History

The Department of Biological Sciences came into existence in 1981 with two full-time staff members and a number of part-time lecturers. In 1999 the name of the department was changed to Horticulture and Food Technology. The number of full-time staff has grown to its present complement of 12 members which include academic as well as technical staff. At present a number of part-time and temporary staff are also employed in the department. All courses presented in this department are accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC), the body in charge of accreditation of technikons as well as other tertiary institutions.

The facility in which the department is housed was originally a school for the training of hotel chefs and stewards.  The building itself was, and still sometimes is, known as Bonne Esperance (Good Hope) but has now been renamed “Horticulture and Food Technology”.  Over the years, alterations and additions to our facilities have seen the creation of a Pilot Plant, new Microbiology and Biological laboratory, a phytotron and a greenhouse in the nursery complex. Additional classroom space has been acquired in the building to the north of this one (old maintenance building - sometimes known as the Seaman’s School).

The two main disciplines offered by the department are:
1. National Diploma in Food Technology (and its higher levels of study)
2. National Diploma in Horticulture (and its higher levels of study)

Mission Statement

Within the framework of the Technikon Mission Statement, we shall strive to develop Food Technologists and Horticulturists that are:

• Academically and technologically competent and skilled;
• Innovative, capable of critical thinking and problem-solving;
• Capable of successfully competing internationally in their respective job markets;
• Able to do research and foster professional and academic relationships;
• Socially responsible.