BVA voices concerns over long term effect of new vet school

The BVA has responded with caution and concern to the news of the University of Surrey’s veterinary school announcement, which will open from 2014.

The BVA claims too many veterinary schools will lead to more veterinary graduates than there are positions, leading to highly trained, debt-addled vet students unable to find employment.

Peter Jones, BVA president, commented:
“The end result could be an oversupply of highly qualified veterinary surgeons. New graduates are already reporting difficulties in finding their first jobs with some saying that it takes 6 to 9 months.”

Larges European award celebrates veterinary innovation

Vets, scientists and veterinary students that are carrying out innovative research that will help to improve dog health have the chance to receive funding and a prestigious award for their work, thanks to the launch of the largest veterinary awards in Europe.

Nominations for the new Kennel Club Charitable Trust Veterinary Awards, underwritten by a major gift from the Vernon and Shirley Hill Family Foundation, are now open and will close on 30th November 2012.

The Awards have been created to recognise innovative researchers, veterinary scientists and students from around the world, who have carried out research that has helped to improve the health and wellbeing of dogs.

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Vetstream at BSAVA and additional news

We’re attending the biggest veterinary congress of the year. You can find us at stand 419 from 11-15 April at BSAVA 2012 on the main exhibition floor.

In other news: NationWide Laboratories and Cambridge Specialist Laboratory Services will officially re-brand as Dechra Laboratory Services and Dechra Specialist Laboratories respectively.

The two independent laboratories became part of Dechra Pharmaceuticals in 2002, and are dedicated to the improvement of animal health by directly supporting practices.

Visit BSAVA Congress 2012.

The Kennel Club launch awards to support research into dog health

The awards will be launched at Crufts NEC Birmingham on 11 March. There will be 3 main categories: The Lifetime Achievement Award, The International Prize in Canine Health Award and The Student Inspiration Award. Each award carries a significant amount of funding.

Funding has kindly been provided by the Vernon and Shirley Hill Family Foundation.

Of particular interest to veterinary students is The Student Inspiration Award, a £10 000 prize fund presented to an extraordinary student who demonstrates potential to advance the frontiers of veterinary medicine.

Learn more at Crufts.

Academics receive Queen’s Award at Buckingham Palace for research into food production

Staff and students were invited to Buckingham Palace to collect awards for important research into food production and angriculture both globally and nationally in the UK.

The award includes research into animal welfare, livestock care and animal feed across the world which, as the world’s population of human increases, will mean a demand for more food for animals.

Read more about the research at Nottingham’s Global Food Security website.

Three scholarships of up to £1000 up for grabs

The Moredun Foundation is looking to support any vet in pursuing a short term project be that attending a conference abroad, learning new skills or conducting a short research project.

The Moredun scholarship promotes livestock health and welfare in the agricultural industry by providing opportunities for any vets that deal with any area of agricultural welfare, be they vets in practice or students.

To apply for a scholarship visit Moredun. The deadline for applications is 29 February 2012.

Research conducted by the University of Edinburgh could lead to cost-effective, long-term vaccination in cattle

The cattle vaccine would utilise harmless parasites to carry medicine directly into cattle. The parasites will effectively provide a long-term vaccine that persists as long as they continue to survive.

This exciting development could prove an effective counter to epidemics of foot-and-mouth or bovine TB. If research is successful this method of treatment could prove extremely valuable in livestock health worldwide, providing a cheaper alternative to repeated vaccination.

The International Institute of Health Services (IIHS) has conducted a study on the desirability of biotechnology research and found promising results. The study includes veterinary science and agricultural management, and was conducted internationally.

A lot of vets graduate and immediately go into practice, but that’s not the only path out there. Vets are needed in research roles across the world.

For more information please click here for the full story from The Sunday Times.

Veterinary students in the US are being asked to consider devoting time to high end research programmes instead of travelling over the summer.

Biomedical Research institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is sponsoring the promotion which aims to produce more physician-scientists to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and better treatments. It goes without saying that the experience and connections gained could prove invaluable in securing a job after graduation.

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