An Industry and Competency
Driven Approach to OER
OCWC Global Conference
April 23, 2009
L. Sunnie Kim & Christine Geith
Michigan State University

FSKN | What is it?
The Food Safety Knowledge Network is…
a unique collaboration between industry and
higher education for increasing the skills
of individuals throughout the value chain in
order to help strengthen the food industry’s
response to complex food safety knowledge and
training challenges in emerging markets.

FSKN | Players
• Michigan State University
– MSUglobal
– Partnership for Food Industry Development (PFID)
within the College of Agriculture and Natural
Resources
• Global Food Safety Initiative
– CIES- the Food Business Forum
• Support
– William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
– USAID
– UNIDOS

FSKN | Challenges/Drivers
• Change in global food systems
• Consumer confidence
• Individual accountability
• Suitably trained human capital
• Access to education and training

FSKN | Objectives
• Harmonize various food safety standards by
developing internationally recognized
competencies in relation to food safety for
individuals at all levels and in all sectors of the
food supply chain
• Develop high-quality, low-cost training and
education enabling individuals to aspire to and
meet the defined competencies
• Promote knowledge transfer and creation within
the food safety community that are aligned with
the competencies

FSKN | Why is this approach unique?
• OERs are designed and created with many
partners (government, NGOs, education
institutions) in collaboration with the food
industry (demand)
• OERs aligned with an industry-driven
competency framework
• Enables rapid, low-cost training/education for
workers

FSKN | Model
Input Activities Output Outcomes
Cost reduction in supply
chain and greater
GFSI competencies
CIES employee retention and
development
industry leadership motivation
Increased
Harmonized approach
number of
to competencies
food safety
MSU and community of OER and social network
research, education,
professionals
development
and training providers
around the
Globally
recognized, low-cost
world
training and education
MSU Training product OER: Food Safety
OER, eLearning, and development Knowledge Network
technical expertise
Phase 1

FSKN | Progress
Phase 1…
• Competency development
• Recruiting partners and collaborators
• Prototype development of learning resources
that are aligned to competencies and
technology infrastructure
• Pilot program in India in the fall

FSKN | Partner with us
If you are interested in partnering with us,
please contact us…
L. Sunnie Kim | kiml@msu.edu
Christine Geith | cgeith@gmail.com