Guide by vetmed students on getting and excelling at work experience

Work experience is crucial, now more than ever as there are fewer jobs and an increasing number of applicants. Work experience shows employers you know what you’re doing in practice as well as in theory, and demonstrates a willingness to go out of your way to learn more.

But work experience doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Sometimes finding it can be tricky, and you’re often looking during holidays (for example, Christmas!) when everyone else is.

So how do you do it, and once you find some how do you make the most of the experience? Enter the big, shiny work experience bible for vet students.

Commonwealth Secretary-General launches scholarship opportunity

Students from Commonwealth countries can benefit from a special scholarship programme launched in London by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee and offered by St George’s University in the Caribbean island of Grenada.

Sixty scholarships – one for each year of the Queen as head of the Commonwealth – are being made available. This includes ten scholarships for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Programme. In total, these full tuition scholarships have a combined value of US $3.5 million. Preference will be given to developing countries and small states of the Commonwealth, with the objective of helping to reverse the professional ‘brain drain’. As part of the application process, scholarship candidates will need to submit an essay detailing how the award will ultimately benefit the development of his, or her, country. Prospective scholars can apply via the University website.

Now in its 36th year, St George’s University is an international centre of higher education and has drawn its students and faculty from 140 countries. The University has graduated over 12,000 physicians, veterinarians, scientists, public health and business professionals. More than 5,000 students from Commonwealth countries have been accepted to study at St George’s University in recent years.

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.”

A new world-class School of Veterinary Medicine will be launched at the University of Surrey in 2014

The new School will embrace the ‘One Health – One Medicine’ philosophy and will include the development of a unique research-led veterinary medicine degree programme with an emphasis on research, veterinary pathology and livestock medicine.

Currently there are only seven Schools of Veterinary Medicine in the country, and the development of the eighth school will be the first of its kind in South East England.

Professor John Fazakerley, Director of The Pirbright Institute, said: “This is good news for the UK veterinary research community. The Pirbright Institute currently works in close collaboration with the University of Surrey on research that benefits animal health and welfare; we very much look forward to building on this established and growing association as the new school of veterinary medicine is launched. There is an important place for trained veterinarians in scientific research and we are delighted that the University has decided to emphasise these areas in particular.”

Throughout the next twelve month period the University will be involved with the recruiting of new academic staff, attracting the first cohort of students, and beginning building works in preparation for the first cohort of students in 2014.

For more information visit the University of Surrey.

National Student Survey identifies worst student unions in the UK

A study conducted by the National Student Survey has found surprising results on student satisfaction with their unions in the UK. Universities such as Cambridge and the Royal Veterinary College came low on the ranks, though academic satisfaction remained extremely high.

How does your university compare? See the full list of data on The Guardian.

Comprehensive two day course for students and graduates considering a career in the UK

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) are joining up to help overseas vets with a comprehensive two day course aimed at providing them with the necessary information and support needed to practice as a veterinary surgeon in the UK.

The ‘Introduction to the UK veterinary profession – an essential CPD course for overseas vets’ is aimed at overseas vets in their first two years in the UK and those considering working there.

For more information visit the BVA.

Recent surveys have shown a greater divide in vetmed take up between the sexes

The veterinary profession was dominated by men until fairly recently when the trend completely u-turned. Now men are definitely in the minority, with targets at some colleges and universities designed to boost male placements.

But why? What changed, why did it persist and is it an issue you think matters?

Veterinary Practice News presents some theories, suggesting that one of the reasons might be women are willing to accept lower pay. Do you agree?

How does student support at vet schools in the UK compare to support in the US?

There are four vet schools accredited by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) in the UK, and students from America are able to study at the RVC, The Royal Dick, University of Glasgow or University of Dublin with the same fees and a degree that is valid in America, albeit to a different standard than studying at an American vet school.

Different teaching methods and a different atmosphere can contribute to certain issues, however the financial demands and the basic course material remain relatively similar.

There are several key differences however, and you can read them in the full study by Fiona Nouri here.

Adam Sheridan on AVS Congress 2012

AVS is a group that brings UK veterinary students together to discuss wider issues within the veterinary profession. Beyond student issues these also include ethics and animal welfare as a whole.

The AVS Congress 2012 was held last weekend (04-05 Feb) and consisted of lectures, workshops and demonstrations. The congress was sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health.

For Adam Sheridan’s detailed description of the congress please visit his site, Veterinary Life.

Professor David Argyle appointed new head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh

David Argyle will become head of the Royal (Dick) School on 01 November, following Elaine Watson’s appointment as the University’s first Dean of International Veterinary Education and Business Development. Elaine Watson was head for 8 years.

David Argyle has played an important role at the school for years, heading the William Dick Chair of Clinical Studies at the University since 2005, and leading the University’s Veterinary Cancer Care Centre.