Industry isn't a chapter. It's the spine.
The sustained relevance of the PGDQA is attributable to its close and continuous collaboration with industry — from curriculum design to laboratory training to direct, graded internships.
Industry support, both foundational and ongoing.
Initial seed funding in 1993 enabled the establishment of the course. Additional funding in 2007 led to the creation of the Sophia College – Geeta Israni Centre of Quality Assurance — a permanent home for the programme.
Industry support continues to this day, in the form of laboratory upgrades, library and ICT infrastructure development, and other course requirements. Industry experts contribute actively to curriculum updates — ensuring that the content stays aligned with current standards and emerging practices.
Four points of contact — at every stage of the course.
From the moment a student enters the programme to the moment they graduate, the industry they will go on to serve is actively in the room.
Curriculum
Industry experts contribute actively to curriculum updates — ensuring that the content remains aligned with current industry standards, regulations and emerging practices.
Guest sessions
Training is provided by working industry and quality experts through guest sessions throughout the programme — bringing live industry context into the classroom.
Industry visits
Students visit food, pharmaceutical and allied facilities across various Indian states — seeing for themselves how quality systems are implemented at scale.
Four weeks in real laboratories.
A comprehensive one-month Public Testing Laboratory (PTL) training programme is compulsory. During this month, students spend their time training in different laboratories — seeing the rigour and rhythm of working analytical labs at first hand.
This early exposure shapes how students think about analytical work for the rest of the programme — and for the rest of their careers.
Two internships. Two industries. Graded by your host.
Internships are not an add-on — they are a critical part of the curriculum. Each student undertakes two internships of two months' duration each, providing hands-on experience and strengthening industry readiness.
Food industry — two months
A two-month placement in a food industry setting. Internship performance is assessed and graded directly by the host industry — adding a real-world, performance-based dimension to academic evaluation.
Pharmaceutical / Allied industry — two months
A second two-month placement in a pharmaceutical or allied industry. Again graded directly by the host — giving each student two distinct industry references on graduation.
The wider industry recognises the programme.
The relevance of the course is widely acknowledged by industry and professional bodies — and that recognition flows through to its students.
- i.The Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (AFST) sponsors prizes and awards for meritorious students.
- ii.Other industry organisations and professional bodies support merit recognition for the course.
- iii.Alumni in senior industry positions contribute as mentors, trainers and partners.
The alumni circle.
Alumni of the course, who hold senior positions in various industries, play a valuable role in supporting these initiatives — contributing to training, industry connections and mentorship for current students.
"Industry support has been both foundational and ongoing — and continues to grow."
Become part of the network.
Students who pass through this programme join an industry network that spans India and ten countries beyond.