1992-1993 Technical assistant UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH, Food Science Department, Stellenbosch, South Africa
As technical assistant at the Food Science department, I was responsible for :
    1.    Planning, development and management of a research project on "The viability of indoor snail farming in South Africa".

    2.    The organization and supervision of the practical sessions of the course for the Degree in Food Science.  
     

    1.    Planning, development and management of a research project on "The viability of indoor snail farming in South Africa".

    In my first assignment, I did pioneering research and development for South Africa.  Realizing that there was a vast untapped and underdeveloped market for this Continental Delicacy, I convinced the Department to initiate a research project into this field.

    This research included :

    1.1.   Basic market research for the product (Retail-Catering markets, products, prices, etc.).
    I conducted a telephonic market research to establish the nature of the existing markets and distribution networks in South Africa.  Strategies were developed to successfully market a variety of products containing snails.
     
    1.2.   Technical viability study of indoor snail farming in South Africa.
    I set up a highly sophisticated breeding unit for snails, in one of the Department's facilities.  This involved tracing all the necessary materials for, and designing the facilities of this highly intensive, high-tech farming method.  Details of this fascinating breeding method can be found here.  A special strain of snails was imported (under license) from Europe.  With this breeding stock, offspring was successfully produced while the correct fodder for the animals was established, using scientific research methods.  Research on the most efficient breeding method was finalized.
     
    1.3.   Commercial viability study of a company which farms, processes and markets snails and snail-products.
    The aim of the research project was to eventually set up a commercial company for breeding, processing and marketing snails and snail-products.  In this endeavor, I compiled a detailed business plan to be furnished to potential financiers.
    This contained :
    • A design and estimated costing of facilities for breeding, slaughtering and processing snails
    • A brief market research
    • Cash flow forecasts
    Searching financiers for the project was also my responsibility.  After some time, a suitable financierwas found.  The University allowed transfer of know-how to the private sector only under condition that the whole project was purchased from the University.  It was my duty to facilitate in this transfer, which was concluded successfully within three months.
     
    I also was often consulted by the South African State Department of Plant and Quality Control responsible for Pest Control, when serious outbreaks of snail-pests in various parts of the country had to be managed.
    2.   The organization and supervision of the practical sessions of the course for the Degree in Food Science.
    My second responsibility asTechnical Assistant to the Department of Food Science, was to prepare, organize, present and supervise the practical sessions of the Food Science Degree course.  In this capacity, I was also exposed to the teaching profession.  A challenge I took on with dedication.