Teacher to undertake research in Europe through Artisan Baking Fellowship

A $12,500 Artisan Baking Fellowship will soon enable Kangan Institute’s baking teacher Ruwan Colombage to undertake research and acquire higher-level skills in Europe.

A 17-year veteran in baking education, Mr Colombage was awarded the 2022 Rosewood Research International Fellowship (Artisan Baking) (Vocational Education & Training) at the recent Baking Industry Trade Show.

Presented by Rosewood Research and the International Specialised Skills Institute (ISS Institute), this annual Fellowship provides recipients with an opportunity to undertake research in the artisan grains, milling and baking industry across Europe’s most advanced and mature markets, gaining skills and knowledge to drive leading practice and innovation in Australia.

Currently teaching the Certificate III in Baking (FBP30521) at Kangan Institute’s Broadmeadows campus, Mr Colombage said the Fellowship will provide him with an opportunity to impart new skills to his students while making a positive difference in the Australian baking sector.

“I am delighted and privileged to have been chosen as the 2022 Fellowship winner. This Fellowship will allow me to take my current skills sets to the next level to be shared with my students, industry colleagues and Australian baking industry,” said Mr Colombage.

“The Fellowship will help me to become a better skilled teacher and mentor to students. I will be able to provide up-to-date baking knowledge from Europe, which is home to many baking trends and traditions, and where a lot of baking research is currently conducted.”

Mr Colombage plans to use the Fellowship to pursue research in pure sourdough and various traditional European baking skills.

“I am planning to visit France, Netherlands, Belgium and maybe Italy. I hope to focus on artisan baking skills in pure sourdough, the authentic viennoiserie range and any other traditional European baking skills that can be beneficial to Australia,” he shared.

Kangan Institute Acting Chief Executive Officer Graham Fryer wished Mr Colombage the best in his pursuit of further research in artisan baking techniques.

“As an expert in his field and an outstanding teacher who has supported more than 300 baking students and apprentices to success, Ruwan is a most deserving candidate for the 2022 Rosewood Research International Fellowship for artisan baking and we congratulate him on his achievement,” said Mr Fryer.

“Our passionate and highly skilled teachers make all the difference to our students’ experience at Kangan Institute. We look forward to supporting Ruwan through his research in Europe and we welcome his valuable input upon return.”

The Fellowship is Mr Colombage’s second accolade this year – in April he was named the Australian Society of Baking’s Southern Region winner for the 2021 Regional Scholarship – Arthur E Denison Trophy.

His achievement is the latest in a string of wins for Kangan Institute’s baking unit – the TAFE was recently named Victorian Perpetual Training Provider by the Baking Association of Australia at the 2022 Victorian Baking Show. The show, which involved industry and student competitors in a multi-category bake-off, also saw Kangan Institute student Abeer Al Sahwi clinching second place in the gateaux category.

Kangan Institute’s baking courses are delivered at the Broadmeadows campus. To learn more about the baking courses visit Kangan Institute’s website.