Davis, CA – We are pleased to announce that Stefan Jan Michel Droogendijk is our first graduate from the Produce Professional Certificate Program. The company Stefan works for, DQFS Surveyors, an independent survey agency specializing in vegetables and fruit in the Netherlands, not only inspects fresh produce, but supports the entire supply chain. And this is exactly the reason Stefan wanted to pursue the certificate.
“I feel privileged to have been educated by UC Davis produce Specialists who play such a vital role in the development of our industry,” he told us and continued, “The program is of great value to people with experience in the field of postharvest technology who want to be challenged and extend their knowledge.” This in-depth knowledge of the entire postharvest process is crucial to Stefan as an individual and an employee.
After attending the 36th annual Postharvest Technology Short Course in June of 2013, Stefan was hooked.
In October of 2013, Stefan enrolled in the Produce Professional Certificate Program and at the same time enrolled in the required Produce Safety workshop. Surprisingly, Stefan followed the sample pathway #1 presented on the postharvest website. Although he wasn’t the first to sign up for the Certificate Program, his rapid-fire approach to taking the required on-site courses and on-line modules, and quickly passing all the quizzes paid off.
By early January 2014, Stefan had signed up for the popular spring Fruit Ripening workshop. His final component was the second half of the Short Course—the action-packed Field Tour in late June. And as soon as we posted the quiz, he aced it and became the first UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center Produce Professional!
Though Stefan has already completed the program, he will continue to have access to the online modules over a 4-year time period to stay up-to-date with the Postharvest Technology Center courses and workshops.
As it turns out, Stefan may not have had his fill or our programs yet. Although he is a graduate of the Certificate Program, he is considering taking the 2014 Fresh-Cut Course this fall. Stefan tells us he is happy to be an alumnus of “a prestigious program offered by the best!” Looking forward to seeing you in September, Stefan.
The mission of the University of California Postharvest Technology Center is to reduce postharvest losses
and improve the quality, value, and safety of produce available to consumers. Visit the center at http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu. Postharvest Technology Center, Department of Plant Sciences/MS2, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, Tel: (530) 752-6941, E-mail: postharvest@ucdavis.edu.
Source: University of California Postharvest Technology Center
