“BSc in Food Science and Nutrition with Applied Nutrition Specialization was the foundation for my career as a registered dietitian and an academic. While the Dietetic internship led me to the shortest path of becoming a dietitian, Research project in Applied Nutrition was my inspiration for nutrition research at PhD level. The unique curriculum of Applied Nutrition not only taught me the ABCs in nutrition but also made me passionate to learn, teach and explore the power of nutrition in changing human lives”.

“Progressive structure of the BSc. in Food Science and Nutrition degree together with a specialization in Applied Nutrition allowed me to implement basic elements of nutrition research and also led to my increased confidence as a researcher. In particular, the 6-months research project at the end of the degree program was not only an excellent opportunity to advance knowledge and skills in carrying out research at an academic level, but also provided useful and open perspectives on various research areas of nutrition research. Overall, it paved the way for me to study towards a PhD on an exciting research area of the microbiome and get the opportunity to be part of leading research projects and publications. Beyond that, having received the training and opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities and exposure to the nutrition field at an industrial perspective provided me with excellent career prospects and enhanced my confidence to succeed in my current role as a scientist”.

“BSc in Food Science and Nutrition degree provided me with a solid knowledge on nutritional science and the expertise to achieve academic excellence in my postgraduate studies in Clinical Dietetics in Australia. By specializing in Applied Nutrition, not only I developed the knowledge in nutrition in a social, pathophysiological, and biochemical health context, but also established my interpersonal, communication, and team liaison skills through participating extra-curricular activities organized by the department. Today I have grown accustomed to working alongside, as a clinical Dietitian in an increasingly busy hospital with a multidisciplinary team of medical and allied health professionals, where these skills are the cornerstone of providing high-quality care to the patients”. 

“It is a pleasure to write about B.Sc Food Science and Nutrition degree programme and the Applied Nutrition specialization as they paved the way for me to become a professionally qualified Dietitian and a Nutritionist in numerous ways. For instance, multiple assignment tasks pertaining to course work, research, practical tasks and hospital internships which I was involved in during the two-year specialization period at the Department was very useful to build my academic, professional and personal skills leading to a winning carrier as a Dietitian. Also, participation in extracurricular activities in combination with “NutSoc” provided me a greater chance to improve my leadership, hard work and communication skills which are essential components of a successful dietetic career.

Finally, the people who I met during this undergraduate programme, both Lecturers and Senior Dietitians made it such a valuable experience and pushed me to succeed”.

“The reason I selected the Food Science and Nutrition degree program at the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka after my A/L examination is to become a Dietitian and be a part of health care professionals in the country. I represent the students of the 2nd batch of the Food Science and Nutrition Degree program, and I opted into specializing in Applied Nutrition. Though I gained knowledge and skills from the Department of Applied Nutrition 13 years back, I would say still I am beyond grateful for the nutrition knowledge, skills, and mastery I have gained from the Department of Applied Nutrition, which shaped me to become a successful Dietitian, Also as a part of the degree program,  I was fortunate to obtain the Dietetic Internship at Asiri Surgical Hospital. Certainly, that training has given me the confidence to practice in the health care sector and made the path to become a Registered Dietitian in Sri Lanka. I would proudly say I’m among the first ten dietitians registered in Sri Lanka Medical Council. Presently I work as the In-charge Dietitian at Asiri Group of Hospital, which is one of the leading private hospital chains in Sri Lanka, Alongside this, for around 10 years I have been providing my service as a dietetic preceptor for Dietetic Intern students.”

My decision to pursue a “BSc in Food Science and Nutrition with Applied Nutrition Specialization” was a watershed moment in my career. Further, the Department of Applied Nutrition guided me in becoming a Registered Dietitian and a Registered Nutritionist, which was a key step towards achieving my professional goals. By specializing in Applied Nutrition, I was able to not only expand my knowledge of human nutrition, pathophysiological, and biochemical health context, but it also inspired me to learn, teach, and enhance personal skills, which led to a successful career as a Lecturer at Faculty of Medicine, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.