MSD Animal Health Connect and Equine Connect bursaries now open for 2013

The Connect Bursary allows UK veterinary students to perform independent research during summer and is an excellent way for veterinary students to study abroad or begin projects they could never otherwise afford to take part in.

Both bursaries are worth £1000 and three overall winners will be eligible for a share of an additional £6000 prize fund.

For more information contact Paul Jennings by calling 01694 731777 or by e-mail.

More details can also be found at MSD.

Vet students vote top university

Throughout most of 2012, vet students across Europe, Africa and the Middle East have been tirelessly voting for their veterinary school’s place on the leader board in the Hill’s Top Dog competition. Now the results have been revealed, confirming that the generous 10,000 EUR grand prize has gone to Israel and the 2,000 EUR prize to France.

Read more to see who won.

Ratio of income to debt for new vets ‘ominous’

A report by the NY Times has revealed stark increases in student debt in the last decade, with median borrowing of $63 000 per year according to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

This figure has not been met by increasing wages. Starting salaries have in fact fallen by 13% to an average of $45,575, with a lower total population of pets and rising medical costs resulting in too many vets and not enough jobs.

Unfortunately there are no simple solutions: vet schools need to make it obvious that new vets will face higher debt.

Vets agree that the current situation is simply unsustainable, thousands of students paying for more expensive training to do worse paid jobs just simply doesn’t add up.

For the full story visit the NY Times.

Kansans can use their vehicles to show they support pets.

Revenue from a new “I’m Pet Friendly” license plate will be used to reduce the stray animal population. Proceeds from the sale of the plates will support scholarships for Kansas State veterinary students who will work with local animal shelters, particularly in spay/neuter programs.

With a one-time production fee of $45.50 and an annual donation of $50, the new plate can be picked up at county tag offices across the state.

The dean of Kansas State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Ralph Richardson, says the program can help improve the quality of animal health throughout the state.

Read more at KWCH.

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.

The Online Veterinary Anatomy Museum (OVAM) launched on November 20

OVAM offers free access to detailed, annotated diagrams, specimens and radiographic images. Podcasts and dissection videos will follow soon.

Throughout development OVAM made use of veterinary student curators to help build and shape the site. The benefits of a free digital museum for students are obvious, and as the museum grows it’ll become an integral, community driven learning aid.

Take a digital stroll through OVAM today!

Vetstream will be at the London Vet Show from 15-16th November

The London Vet Show is one of the busiest veterinary events in the UK with exhibitors including the BVA and RCVS. The show includes sponsor-led seminars, CPD lectures, business seminars and an extensive scientific programme.

Vetstream will be bringing its Vetstart offer to Stand I 75. If you’re attending make sure to stop by!

More details can be found at the London Vet Show.

UPDATE: Pictures from the event can now be found on the Vetstream Facebook page.

Residency in Veterinary Nutrition available in Nantes, France

Oniris, the National College of Veterinary Medicine and Food Engineering Nantes-Atlantic, is seeking applicants for formal training in Veterinary Nutrition.

The training program will comply with the standards set forth by the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) residency training requirements, so as to prepare the candidate for the board certification exam in Veterinary Nutrition (Companion animal track) during a two and a half or three year program depending on the qualifications of the successful applicant.

For more details download the application guide.

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.