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SRUC welcomes first veterinary degree students
Abbi Harcus is one of 45 students to start SRUC's new degree.
More than half the intake of students were from rural or remote Scottish locations.

Scotland’s Rural College’s (SRUC's) School of Veterinary Medicine has welcomed the first students to its new Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSci) programme.

SRUC, which is Scotland’s first new veterinary school in over 150 years, hopes it will provide new opportunities for students in rural or remote locations.

The degree fulfils part of the veterinary school’s promise to widen access to the sector. It will focus on training Scottish, Irish and UK-domiciled students from rural backgrounds, who understand how life is in remote and rural communities.

The veterinary school is also built on a tertiary model and provides opportunities for students to progress from HND students to a veterinary degree programme. It was opened after SRUC gained Taught Degree Awarding Powers.

One student who has benefitted from SRUC’s model is Abbi Harcus.

Ms Harcus is from rural East Ayrshire and, earlier this year, completed a HND in Rural Animal Health at SRUC. She is now one of 45 students to start the School of Veterinary Medicine’s new degree programme.

Ms Harcus said: “When I finish, I want to go into practice as soon as I can, and I’ll definitely stay in Scotland. There are so many rural areas that struggle to keep vets, staying in the industry is tough. I’m ready for it, and I think things are going to start changing soon.

“Everything I’ve learned with my HND will be really important when I finish and go into practice, it’s been the best start I could have had. Everything has just worked out so well.”

Caroline Argo, a professor who oversaw the development of the degree, said: “It is now recognised that the UK veterinary profession is failing to achieve self-sufficiency in generating and retaining homegrown talent. This has serious ramifications for key sectors of the profession that are central to Scotland’s ambitions, economy and the sustainability of our rural communities.

“By aligning the attitudes and abilities of our veterinary students more directly with the needs of the Scottish profession, we hope to train the general practitioners that are so essential for our food sector and mixed practices.”

Image © SRUC

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.