Food Protection Trends - November/December 2023 - 524

Our Experiences (continued)
The email I received from Susan Smith in April announcing my selection as one of
the 2023 IAFP Student Travel Scholarship Awards filled me with joy! The news of my
selection as one of the fortunate recipients of such an awe-inspiring travel scholarship,
and being the sole attendee from an African-based university, was a tremendous honor.
The IAFP Student Travel Scholarship became a pivotal moment in my life, granting
me the remarkable chance to physically participate in the 2023 IAFP Annual Meeting
hosted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Undoubtedly, this unprecedented support from
the IAFP Foundation made the seemingly impossible possible for an undergraduate
student hailing from a local, state-owned university, who had never before set foot in
North America.
Abdullahi Idris Muhammad
Kano University of
Science and Technology
Kano, Nigeria
Allow me to commence by acknowledging that my selection was a cause for
celebration not only within my immediate family and circle of friends but also resonated
throughout my entire Food Science and Technology Department. My mentors,
Professor M.A. Dandago and Dr. Z.N. Bamalli, reveled in this accomplishment
alongside me. It's worth noting that I became the first undergraduate student in our
university's history to secure such a transformative travel scholarship. My pride isn't
rooted in merely being the first, but rather in setting a precedent and becoming a
beacon of hope for future generations.
To be honest, summarizing my IAFP journey from when I joined as a Student
Member in December 2022 until now would be a challenge within a few paragraphs.
However, a few standout experiences deserve mention.
Among the highlights, the pinnacle was meeting my IAFP mentor, Dr. Joshua Gurtler. Dr. Gurtler's exceptional
care has extended from before IAFP 2023, as he has facilitated introductions to numerous food safety experts and
professors. Given my aspiration for a graduate student placement, his mentorship has been invaluable. Attending several
enlightening sessions, he recommended expanding my knowledge significantly. I must express my gratitude to IAFP
for instituting the Mentor and Mentee Program, enabling me to establish a priceless connection with Dr. Gurtler. This
decision is one I will forever cherish, as his guidance has been instrumental in my journey.
Furthermore, IAFP 2023 offered me the extraordinary opportunity to serve as the Student Liaison for the Food Defense
PDG Chair, Neal Fredrickson, and Dr. Kristin Schill, Vice-Chair. Additionally, I presented a paper titled " Food Defense in
Nigeria " during the Food Defense PDG meeting. This paper marked my inaugural international experience and delved
into the state of food defense in Nigeria, exploring various instances of foodborne outbreaks. As an undergraduate, I am
profoundly grateful for this unique opportunity to present my findings.
I would also like to highlight that my volunteer role at the IAFP Foundation Booth made me realize how generous the IAFP
community is as I witnessed people donating generously. Later on, I learned that through those donations, IAFP has been able
to finance many great projects including my travel scholarship. I would like give a " thumbs up " to the IAFP family.
Of course, I could not overlook the support of my assigned mentor, Dr. John Bassett, who introduced me to many
food safety experts, especially those working in the industries. I also would like to thank the IAFP staff, especially Susan
Smith, whose guidance and assistance played a pivotal role in making this achievement possible. She not only helped
me navigate this process smoothly but also empowered me to make the most out of this invaluable opportunity.
Lastly, my heartfelt appreciation goes to the IAFP Foundation for affording me this travel scholarship, enabling my
participation at a world-class event uniting global food safety experts. IAFP 2023 holds a special place in my heart as my
inaugural international conference, giving rise to cherished memories, connections, and friendships. To my fellow students,
particularly those from low- and middle-income countries, I implore you to grasp and embrace such rare opportunities.
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524 Food Protection Trends November/December

Food Protection Trends - November/December 2023

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