The 2024 National-Level Focus Forward Workshop on Veterinary Education Concluded
The University of Gondar and The Ohio State University co-organized the Veterinary Education Workshop at Capital Hotel in Addis Ababa. The workshop, held from March 1 to March 2, 2024 aimed to consolidate the implementation of the 2020 National Veterinary Education Curriculum through discussions on the findings of the needs assessment survey conducted by the UoG-OSU veterinary education curriculum twinning program team. This national-level workshop sought to enhance the overall quality of the curriculum and cultivate a competent veterinary workforce that can contribute to food safety and security.
However, universities face challenges in implementing various components of the 2020 harmonized curriculum. Accordingly, on Day One of the workshop, participants discussed 16 difficulties identified in the needs assessment survey and suggested possible solutions. The difficulties were categorized into four sections: lack of subject matter knowledge and teaching methods, practical implementation of WOAH Day 1 competencies; access to facilities, infrastructure, and supplies, and a blend of critical issues such as a lack of veterinarians with specific training to address the needs of small-scale producers and pastoralists. The proposed interventions for the four sets of challenges included collaborating across disciplines, conducting workshops, providing short- and long-term professional development training, fostering communication and collaboration with governmental and non-governmental agencies, utilizing available resources wisely, sharing experiences among veterinary education professionals, supplying educational materials, establishing centers of excellence, making education accessible through online platforms, and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the harmonized curriculum. On the second day, the participants further discussed and prioritized the identified solutions through a vote.
Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, President of the University of Gondar, Dr. Shimelis Dagnachew, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences at the University of Gondar, Professor Armando Hoet, Team Leader of the UoG-OSU Twinning Project and Director of Veterinary Public Health Program at The Ohio State University, Dr. Amanda Berrian, Associate Director of Veterinary Public Health Program, and Dr. Andrea Bessler, Resident of the Program at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Desalegn Mengesha, Country Director of The Ohio State University Global One Health-Ethiopia and former President of the University of Gondar were in attendance. Besides, representatives from FDRD’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Education, deans, and senior staff from veterinary medicine colleges at 14 public universities in Ethiopia, as well as representatives from relevant private companies, took part in the workshop.
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Devoted for Excellence!
Public and International Relations Directorate
March 2, 2024
