Quality assurance for SA's first vet school

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Australia's newest veterinary school has received a major quality stamp of approval as its first students prepare to graduate at the end of this year.

The University of Adelaide's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences has been told its veterinary sciences program at its Roseworthy Campus has received interim national accreditation.

"This is a testament to the first-class quality of our veterinary program, facilities and teaching as well as the significant investment that the University has made in establishing South Australia's first vet school," says University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Warren Bebbington.

South Australia's only vet school was established in 2008 and the first class of 35 students to complete the three-year undergraduate and three-year postgraduate veterinary sciences program will finish their studies in November.

The University has invested more than $50 million in the School since 2008; over $32 million by the University, $15 million from the Federal Government and $5 million by the State Government.

The Australian Veterinary Boards Council has confirmed that the Veterinary Surgeons Boards of all states and territories of Australia, and New Zealand, have confirmed accreditation of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences until November when a final accreditation visit will take place.

Professor Kym Abbott, Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, says: "Industry accreditation is the final step in ensuring our veterinary students have the best quality education. It means our graduates will be able to register as qualified veterinary practitioners anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

"Together with the Veterinary Schools Accreditation Advisory Committee (VSAAC) which manages veterinary accreditation for the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), we've undertaken an extensive and rigorous process of quality assurance to ensure our graduates have the attributes modern veterinary practice demands."

This interim accreditation follows other significant milestones in the life of the vet school since it was officially announced in 2007 including: the building of the Veterinary Sciences Building and opening of the Companion Animal Health Centre which offers veterinary services to the public; the construction of the Production Animal Hospital and establishment of the production animal ambulatory service; and opening of the Bevan Park Dairy Practice Teaching Unit. In October the School will open its Equine Health and Performance Centre.

 

Contact Details

Media Office
Email: media@adelaide.edu.au
Website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/
External Relations
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 0814


Media Team
Email: media@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 0814