Agro industrial Research and Development Plant
The Agroindustrial Research and Development Plant (ARDP) is unique in its genre; it is not a production plant but a pilot experimental plant. It serves as a training and teaching center, whose main goal is to reinforce the students’ academic formations in the areas of research, process flows, quality, and safety.
In the ARDP new products are developed, procedures are evaluated and technical advice is provided to other plants in the solution of production problems.
Managers of other plants request our help, and our experts and students analyze the problem and subsequently define the solutions and strategies to follow. The Learning by Doing program is specialized in the Plant, giving the fourth year Food Agroindustry Career students an opportunity to do applied research. It presents them with scenarios where they must use their theoretical knowledge and logic in the resolution of real issues in the agroindustrial field.
The Plant is equipped with steam lines, cold and hot water, compressed air, cold rooms, freezers, process areas and the most advanced computer technology.
Innovation
The ARDP houses the Sensory Analysis Laboratory, where students can carry out sensory analysis, using the sense of taste, smell and touch to determine the acceptance or preference of different food products by different consumers. They also establish the shelf life of the food products.
The Plant also houses the Grains and Seeds Processing Laboratory where quality, germination, impurities, vigor and cooking properties are analyzed. Students develop a bakery production project as practical learning.
Outreach
We provide external training services and technical assistance to various clients in the region’s agrifood industry.
