From Monday 7th to Wednesday 9th June, 2021, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) held a workshop for Veterinary Education Establishments (VEEs) organised in association with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, and Veterinary College, Bengaluru, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar.
Veterinary education establishments (VEEs) play a key role in ensuring the effectiveness of veterinary professionals and delivery of competent Veterinary Services (VS). At the 2nd Regional Workshop for VEEs and Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs) held in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2018, the major challenge faced by India was identified as human resources for VEEs. Recommendations from that workshop included focus on strengthening VS through WOAH standards and guidelines, improving curriculum development, facilitating in-country communication and collaboration among stakeholders, and collecting reliable data to identify and address veterinary workforce demand. Additionally, the veterinary profession and VEEs can play a pivotal role in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents has resulted in the accelerated emergence of AMR globally.
Considering the large number of VEEs in India, a 3-day workshop targeting in-country VEE stakeholders was initially proposed to be held from 15-17 April 2020, but unfortunately was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, the workshop was reviewed and converted to a virtual format.
Members of the Veterinary Council of India (VCI), State Veterinary Councils, Vice Chancellors and Deans of VEEs, and other national stakeholders such as the India Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) attended the workshop as they are important to the VS and can provide practical inputs for VEEs in India. For the seminar on AMR, students and teachers from the faculty of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Sciences, local clinical veterinarians and drug regulatory bodies also joined the workshop.
