Gift will help establish the McIntyre International Research Fellowships.
The University of Glasgow Veterinary School has been gifted £1m from a Singapore alumnus to foster international collaboration in research on farm animal diseases.
The School received the funding from Mr Tong Fatt Cheng, who graduated in 1957 and went on to have a distinguished career in veterinary medicine.
The generous gift will be used to help to establish the McIntyre International Research Fellowships, which will provide funding for a British veterinary graduate to work overseas for two years, and an overseas veterinary graduate to attend Glasgow Veterinary School for two years.
Professor Peter Holmes, chair of the Veterinary Fund Committee which oversees charitable donations to the Veterinary School, said: “This gift is particularly relevant and valuable at a time when the world faces an unprecedented pandemic from a zoonotic disease – in other words, a disease that has been transmitted from animals to humans.
“This serves to remind us all of the importance of global approaches to disease control and these fellowships will be a highly effective way of facilitating international collaboration and co-operation in veterinary medicine in the future.”
Mr Tong Fatt Cheng served in the state Veterinary service in Singapore before joining the diplomatic service in 1989 as Singapore Ambassador to Japan. He later joined the People’s Republic of China and was Ambassador-at-Large until his retirement in 2004.
The McIntyre International Research Fellowships will pay tribute to Glasgow University's first professor of veterinary medicine, Professor Ian McIntyre.
Described as an 'inspirational and innovative teacher', Prof McIntyre was a strong advocate for international collaboration in veterinary education and research. He was also a leading member of the Glasgow team which developed the first antiparasitic vaccine for cattle (Dictol).
Mr Cheng commented: “I am delighted to commemorate Professor McIntyre’s name in perpetuity through the creation of these international fellowships. Professor McIntyre was an inspiring teacher when I was a student at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School and I have always admired his achievements both in Glasgow and internationally.
“I hope that these fellowships will strengthen the links between the Glasgow Veterinary School and veterinary institutions overseas and benefit global animal health.”
Image (C) University of Glasgow.
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