Practitioners hopeful for veterinary education at SETU in Waterford
Pictured are: Paul Nolan, Group Development Manager with Dawn Meats, Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, Tim Ashmore, Principal of Teagasc Kildalton, Eleanor Kent, Head of the Department of Land Sciences, Dr Mary-Kate Burke, Veterinary Medicine Programme Development Lead, Dr Siobhan Walsh, Lecturer in Agricultural Science and Professor Peter McLoughlin, Head of the School of Science and Computing. Photo by George Goulding SETU.
South East Technological University (SETU) recently hosted a stakeholder meeting, for veterinary practices to actively engage and collaborate on the development of the university’s proposed veterinary programme.
Drawing veterinary practices from across the South East and beyond, the gathering saw a vibrant exchange of perspectives and ideas, aimed at shaping the future of veterinary education at SETU.
SETU’s proposals to introduce new programmes in veterinary medicine and pharmacy were included in the capacity-building strategies announced by the Government in 2022. SETU’s application builds on strengths in science and land sciences together with 50 years of collaboration with Teagasc, Kildalton Agricultural College.
Following Veterinary Ireland’s visit to Teagasc Kildalton Agricultural College, this meeting signals SETU’s readiness to deliver a degree in veterinary medicine.
Opening the veterinary medicine stakeholder meeting, President of SETU, Professor Veronica Campbell, warmly welcomed the attendees while outlining how the University’s strategic plan will see SETU perform at the forefront of higher education and research and how it aligns with the sector’s evolving needs.
“I was delighted to welcome veterinary practitioners from the region and beyond to SETU for this stakeholders meeting," said Prof. Campbell. “The realisation of the veterinary medicine programme is strategically aligned with the vision for the only university in the South East of Ireland," she added.
Tim Ashmore, Principal of Teagasc Kildalton, elaborated on the collaborative partnership between SETU and Kildalton. Highlighting the suitability of Kildalton’s facilities, he explained that livestock enterprises and practical training facilities provide an excellent platform to deliver much of the large animal components of the veterinary course.
Dr Siobhan Walsh, Lecturer in Agricultural Science, and Dr Mary-Kate Burke, Veterinary Medicine Programme Development Lead, delved into the development of the proposed veterinary programme, with Dr Burke outlining its distributed model of clinical education and opportunities for practitioners to get involved.
Reflecting on the evening’s discussions, Dr Burke was pleased with the collaboration between SETU and local, regional, and national veterinary practices.
“We are delighted with the interactive and informative discussion regarding the involvement of veterinary practices within the distributed model of veterinary education," she said. “We hope to continue this collaboration and engagement as we continue to develop the proposed veterinary programme.”
