Mysore/Mysuru: CSIR-CFTRI has been conducting one-year International Certificate course in Flour Milling Technology at its International School of Milling Technology (ISMT) since 1981. So far, 836 participants including 117 from other developing countries of Gulf region, Africa, South America and Asia have been trained at this Centre.

ISMT is first-of-its-kind in South East Asia housing a 20 tonnes per day fully dedicated PLC controlled pilot roller flour mill, where students are taught on milling systems as per the domestic and international standards. It is also equipped with analytical laboratory for testing physico-chemical attributes of raw material and finished products.

In addition, pilot scale baking facilities are available for assessing quality of milled products. The Millers completing the course are most sought after in Gulf and African countries.

The ISMT alumni are representing 70-80 percent of the flour manufacturers worldwide including big players like ITC, Adani Willmar, IFFCO (Sharjah), National Flour Mills (Dubai), Dufil Group (Nigeria), Flour Mills of Nigeria, etc. Further, ISMT alumni has been networking with all the stakeholders associated with the Industry.

S.K. Ramprasad, Managing Director, Muhlenbau Equipments Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru, delivered the valedictory address. Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI, presided. Dr. Suresh D. Sakhare, Coordinator, ISMT, welcomed. Basavaraj Mundalamani, Convener, ISMT, was present.  On the occasion, meritorious students were awarded medals: G. Annapoorneshwari – G.K. Jalan Gold Medal, Deccan Flour Mills; V. Sugatha – Delhi Flour Mills Silver Medal; Pradeep Kumar Marure – Shivaji Roller Flour Mills Bronze Medal; V. Sugatha – Dr. S.R. Shurpalekar  Cereal Science Gold Medal; Machani Pavani –  Dr. Indrani Dassappa,  Baking Science Gold Medal.