Students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) got a masterclass in ambition and innovation when one of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology’s most accomplished alumni, Gary Coulson, returned to campus to share his remarkable journey from graduate to leader in bespoke food and beverage solutions.
Gary, who obtained his BTech in Food Technology from TUT (the thenTechnikon Pretoria) in 1997, has since founded two thriving companies, Formulation Creations and Gold Coast Flavours South Africa, and built a reputation as a pioneer in health actives (including USN), fortification and flavour innovation.
One of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology’s most accomplished alumni, Gary Coulson, with colleagues from the Department.
During the session, he traced his career path from QC analyst to owning his own businesses, stressing the importance of pairing technical expertise with business savvy. His advice to students was clear: excel academically, seize every learning opportunity and be visible as well as proactive in the workplace.
Reflecting on his time at TUT, Gary credited the solid technical foundation he gained during his studies and experiential learning phase, with enabling him to tackle industry challenges and eventually launch his own ventures. Looking ahead, he predicted that African food technologists will play a vital role in tackling malnutrition and meeting consumer demand for healthier, nutrition dense, yet minimally processed products.
For Gary, the visit was more than nostalgic – it was a chance to inspire and equip the next generation of food industry leaders with the skills, mindset and resilience they’ll need to succeed.
Students from the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology’s at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) got a masterclass in ambition and innovation from Gary Coulson.