Although Kiran Subbarayadu, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) master's Food Science and Safety student is living in Kaunas only for the second year, he has achieved a lot. Last spring Kiran created a nutritious buckwheat cocktail, which won an industry prize in the innovation fair Technorama 2018. Today Kiran is working in a Lithuanian company and his organic innovative product will hit the market in a couple of months.
Indian Kiran Subbarayadu decided to come to KTU after a thorough investigation of the University's study programmes: "Food Science and Safety in the Faculty of Chemical Technology matched my requirements, and the cost of studies in Lithuania is considerably cheaper than in other European countries".
Kiran is happy about the diversity of the course modules which provides insights into many aspects of food science, and he is especially glad to be involved in the latest research carried out in the Faculty. His favourite module is New Food Product Development.
As Kiran chose Research Track (available in MA+ study model), i.e. studying with the focus on research activities, he spends most of his days in the laboratory. However, he tries to use the little free time he has got to travel, learn new things; Kiran enjoys cooking and getting to know new people.
In his opinion, Lithuanians are open-minded and respectful towards each other.
"So far, Lithuania gave me so many new and beautiful experiences, friends for a lifetime and much more. I got persistent and patient by facing everyday challenges as a university student, which also taught me to live an independent life. I developed an attitude to accept everything that life throws at me, for the best or the worse", says KTU student from India.
He is enjoying new experiences life in Lithuania is opening. According to Kiran, Lithuania is a great country with beautiful landscape, countryside and rivers, and it is great to spend summer days in the open air.
"These bone-chilling winters are also quite manageable", adds Kiran with a smile.
Lately, Kiran has even less time to enjoy leisure activities, as he has already found a New Food Development Technologist job in a Lithuanian company Ekofrisa.
"It all started in Technorama 2018, where I introduced my new food product and won Ekofrisa's prize for it. As I was interested to bring the product into the market, I talked to the company's director, and they provided me a summer internship. After my internship, the company accepted my choice to work with them", Kiran explains his proactive attitude towards the job-seeking.
The organic buckwheat shake is a healthy mix made of roasted buckwheat flour, organic cashew and organic cane sugar. The cocktail contains a good amount of protein and various nutrients, which are the building blocks of the human immune system. According to the young food scientist, the nutritive value of buckwheat is considerably higher than that of many other grains, and the cocktail helps in building body muscles and reducing blood sugar.
"In India, generally mothers prepare a home-made mix from various types of millets, grains and lentils, which help their children to gain good health. That was my inspiration behind the product", says Kiran.
The buckwheat cocktail created by KTU student from India is ready for production and will be available in the market in summer 2019.
Kiran's experience of Lithuanian job market so far has been very positive: "Everyone is greeting me with a smile and people are very warm".
He especially likes the tradition of common lunches, when employees are eating together with the director of the company and are sharing not only foods but also ideas. According to Kiran, this is very rarely happening in India.
"Here every employee is treated equally respective of the work they do, and that's what I like the most. Of course, with fun also comes the responsibility to create new products – and this is the most challenging part", says Kiran.
After studies, he is planning to stay and work in Europe for a few years, or even to create a start-up in the organic food sector.
"If I get a good opportunity, maybe I will stay in Lithuania. I like the way how everything is organised here. Lithuania has a lesser number of people, and it is calmer and more peaceful", admits Kiran, Food Science and Safety, 2nd-year master's student at KTU Faculty of Chemical Technology.
Admission for studying at Kaunas University of Technology has already started. Find out more and apply online.