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Animal welfare and ‘one health’ concept need more emphasis in the in the Veterinary curriculum –Says Vice Chancellor;KVASU signed MOU with University of Edinburgh

                            Considering the animal and human health as one entity under One Health Concept, animal welfare and ethical treatment of the animals may be included as practical training in the veterinary curriculum says Dr.B.Ashok, I.A.S, Vice Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. He was addressing during the valedictory session of international conference on ‘Developing and Embedding problem based learning in the veterinary curriculum” organized by the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in association with the University of Edinburgh at Hotel Flora international from 26th to 27th April 2013.
Currently the Animal welfare is being taught only as theory, but this has to be considered in practice under ‘on- farm’ situations. The problem based learning a pedagogical method of learning should be introduced as practice session once in a month to students where they should be given on farm situations by multi-disciplinary approach. This would aid in early introduction to the field situations, and to develop skills to meet the challenges in this field. The curriculum should be in tune with animal welfare, by reducing the number of animals in experimentations by practicing 4Rs (Reduction-replacement-Restore and Rehabilitate) in humane way. There should be welfare monitoring system and technicians need to be trained to handle animals in the humane way. VC added.
                                The two day conference was inaugurated By Prof.Dr.B.Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean studies on 26th April.2013.A memorandum of Understanding on academic and research partnership between KVASU and University of Edinburgh was signed and exchanged by the Registrar, KVASU Dr.K.P.Sreekumar and Prof.Natalie Waran, Director, Jeanne Marchig International Centre of Animal Welfare Education, University of Edinburgh during the inaugural ceremony. Prof.Natalie Waran spoke on the future proofing of Veterinary education and use of animals in teaching and research. Faculty members who had attended the workshops conducted by Prof. Waran and her team presented their experiences and shared their views on problem based learning and animal welfare issues. The conference was attended by 50 delegates from the Veterinary Universities of South India. Dr. S. Ramkumar Director Entrepreneurship presided over the valedictory function and Prof. Prabhakara Rao, Vice Chancellor Sree Venkiteswara University offered felicitations. Dr.C.Latha, Convener proposed vote of thanks. The meeting concluded after discussing the ways of dissipating problem based learning model in other universities of the country in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh. The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University will act as a pioneering centre for developing innovative methods for delivering veterinary education and to develop a pedagogy.