The 3rd Global Conference on Veterinary Education and the Role of the Veterinary Statutory Body saw the convergence of the Deans of the Veterinary Education Establishments, Presidents or Registrars of the Veterinary Statutory Bodies and the OIE Delegates of their respective countries.
The Africa Region was well represented at the conference which discussed status and future outlook of veterinary education and the important role played by the Veterinary Statutory Bodies. Stressing this point, Dr Bernard Vallat said that “This Conference is a new step forward that focuses on highlighting the essential role of VSBs in regard to veterinary registration and accreditations of VEEs, at regional, national, and global level. It aims at creating synergic links between Veterinary Education and Veterinary practice amongst OIE Member Countries”.
Dr Honoré N`Lemba Mabela, OIE Delegate of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Picture (c) P. Bastiaensen (oie) 2014
The conference agreed that veterinary education needs to adapt to the societal demands , global changes, avoiding information overload to students and that the VSBs should always be at the heart of this development at national, regional and global levels.
The meeting discussed various tools of the OIE being the Day 1 Competencies of graduating veterinarians to ensure National Veterinary Services of quality, the Veterinary Education Core Curriculum, the Veterinary Education Twinning Projects between partners from developed and developing countries and the Veterinary Statutory Bodies Twinning Projects. Also discussed were Twinning Projects to tackle the harmonisation and the improvement of Veterinary Education and Veterinary profession organisation.
Opportunities were also floated to the regional and global regulatory bodies and donors to share their experiences and options available to the Members Countries
Dr Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General
All pictures (c) P. Bastiaensen (oie) 2014