New leadership role to take Roseworthy campus forward

Thursday, 13 February 2014

A new position of Dean will be created at the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy campus to lead both the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and the campus going forward.

An international recruitment campaign to find a suitably qualified and experienced veterinarian has already begun with an appointment expected later this year.

"Roseworthy is a unique part of the University of Adelaide," said Professor Warren Bebbington, Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President. "The combination of education, research and public clinical services sets it apart from other academic areas and demands a very specific set of leadership attributes."

The School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences has over 650 students and 120 staff. In December 2013, the first group of students successfully completed the State's only veterinary degree.

"Achieving industry accreditation for the vet program, and witnessing the inaugural class finish as qualified vets, was a wonderful milestone for the Roseworthy campus community, and the University as a whole," said Professor Bebbington.

The campus has also undergone major capital works to accommodate the University's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

"Infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing school has incorporated dedicated facilities for equine, companion and production animal health, a diagnostics laboratory and aquatic biosecurity centre," said Professor Bebbington. "There is great opportunity to capitalise on that investment through this new role.

"Moreover, not only have enrolments increased but we've also been able to forge stronger relations with our co-located partners including SARDI, TAFE and the collaborative centres. And our connection to the local community has developed through our public veterinary services.

"The Roseworthy campus, and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, are thriving and we intend to keep that momentum going."

Professor Bebbington paid tribute to the outstanding contribution of current Executive Dean, Professor Iain Reid, and Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Professor Kym Abbott.

"Together, Professors Reid and Abbott have overseen major transformation at Roseworthy in the past few years from every perspective - teaching, research, infrastructure, business development and community engagement.

"Their professionalism and commitment has been unwavering," he said.

Professor Iain Reid, who has been Executive Dean at Roseworthy since 2012, will return to the University's North Terrace campus while Professor Abbott will remain in a senior teaching role within the school.

Contact Details