
Considering that veterinary education plays a key role in effectively and efficiently delivering veterinary services to its Members, WOAH has initiated strategies and programmes to enhance veterinary education outcomes. WOAH developed recommendations and guidelines on “WOAH (then-OIE) Competencies of ‘Day 1 Graduates”, “Veterinary Education Core Curriculum”, and active programmes including “Veterinary Education Twinning” programmes.
Various workshops and consultations were held at regional, sub-regional and national levels to strengthen veterinary education and workforce development. One identified activity is to strengthen networks of VEEs and VSBs in a given region. With support from WOAH, a network of VEEs in Asia (Asian Association of Veterinary Schools, or AAVS) has become an active platform for information and resource sharing for member VEEs in Asia. A strong network among VEEs and VSBs already exists in ASEAN (the South-East Asia Veterinary School Association, or SEAVSA, and the ASEAN VSB network, or AVSBN), which have provided good opportunities for participants to share information and move towards standardisation of VEE accreditation in South-East Asia.
However, such a network in South Asia does not yet exist. Efforts were made to establish such a VEE and VSB network in the sub-region since 2021, starting with a virtual workshop for VEEs in India in June 2021 and a virtual workshop for VEEs and VESBs in South Asia and Iran, in April 2022. The last meeting produced the recommendation that a standing platform for a sub-regional network of VEEs and VSBs in South Asia be established.
Following 2022 virtual workshop recommendations, WOAH delegates nominated a focal point/representative for VEEs and VSBs from respective Members. A virtual meeting among the nominated focal points/representatives was held in June 2024, where a draft TOR was discussed along with a way forward for the establishment of a proposed South Asia VEE & VSB (SAVEE & VSB) Network.
In September 2024, a virtual call among interim Working Group members identified in the June 2024 meeting, including Prof Vikas Pathak as lead country focal/representative and Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani and Prof. P.G Anil Pushpakumara as the two co-lead country focals/representatives, identified the implementation of activities until the Network is formally launched. During this meeting, key activities were discussed to progress towards the network’s formal launch, and an implementation plan was drafted.
To take the process forward, a sub-regional workshop for VEEs and VSBs for South Asia is planned from 11-13 June 2025 in collaboration with Sri Lanka as host country. Its main agenda will be to formally launch the proposed network.
Date: 3 June 2025
Venue: Virtual
Participation: By invitation
Agenda: PDF
Presentations:
(Virtual) Preworkshop, 3 June 2025, "Launching the South Asia Veterinary Education Establishments (VEEs) and Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs) – SAVEE & VSB Network"
Date(s): 11 – 13 June 2025
Venue: Kandy, Sri Lanka / Virtual (Hybrid)
Participation: By invitation
Agenda: PDF
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