New Veterinary School Plans to Embrace Links Between Human and Animal Health

GUILDFORD, England, October 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A new world-class School of Veterinary Medicine will be launched at the University of Surrey in 2014, constructed around the theme that human and animal health is intrinsically linked. The announcement of the plans today (Thursday 25 October) shows how the new School will embrace the 'One Health - One Medicine' philosophy and will include the development of a unique research-led veterinary medicine degree programme with an emphasis on research, veterinary pathology and livestock medicine.

Currently there are only seven Schools of Veterinary Medicine in the country, and the development of the eighth school will be the first of its kind in South East England.  The unique setting for the development at the heart of the University of Surrey's Manor Park site in Guildford will encourage collaboration of students and staff from different disciplines, with those studying towards a veterinary medicine qualification being exposed to cutting edge technology in engineering and physics as well as receiving training in core business skills.

The new School of Veterinary Medicine at Surrey will be delivered through collaborations with key partners that the University already has strong relationships with including: the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), the BBSRC Pirbright Institute, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Fitzpatrick Referrals, Liphook Equine Hospital and Westpoint Farm Vets.  Over the coming year the University is looking to extend its relationships with regional veterinary practices.

Students will also be exposed to global issues concerning animal health through the University Global Partnership Network (UGPN), an exciting trilateral agreement between Surrey, North Carolina State and São Paulo Universities through teaching collaborations, summer scholarships and research exchanges.

Professor Lisa Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey, comments: "As a research-intensive University we have the expertise, reputation, technical and business skills which our students can benefit from, allowing us to train the veterinary leaders of the future. Combining state-of-the-art facilities, our unique partnerships and a campus location, the new School will provide a stimulating environment not only for undergraduates, but for the professional development training of qualified veterinary surgeons."

Professor John Fazakerley, Director of The Pirbright Institute, said: "This is good news for the UK veterinary research community. The Pirbright Institute currently works in close collaboration with the University of Surrey on research that benefits animal health and welfare; we very much look forward to building on this established and growing association as the new school of veterinary medicine is launched. There is an important place for trained veterinarians in scientific research and we are delighted that the University has decided to emphasise these areas in particular."

Professor Andy Durham of the Liphook Equine Hospital comments: "The new School of Veterinary Medicine development programme at the University of Surrey is ideally timed to provide an alternative to the traditional veterinary education and to respond to the demands of a changing profession with fresh plans, ideas and enthusiasm.  Enticing newly developed facilities make Guildford an excellent student town and with several collaborative specialist partners within the locality the new School of Veterinary Medicine is perfectly placed geographically to provide a veterinary education fitting for the 21st century."

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick comments: "The philosophy of One Health-One Medicine is undeniably the single most important movement in medical science today. By making this a cornerstone of the educational platform at the new veterinary school, the University of Surrey will undoubtedly inspire a new breed of veterinary scientist.  This next generation of vets will be eminently employable as clinicians, scientists or researchers in a globally changing healthcare market for animals and for humans. Most importantly, within this ethos, they will be exposed to cutting edge clinical practice and research. The University is ideally positioned to deliver this totally innovative approach to veterinary education."

The University is already in consultation with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Freda Andrews, Head of Education at RCVS, commented: "We were pleased to meet Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President and Vice-Chancellor and his colleagues from the University of Surrey recently, and interested to hear their proposals to develop a new School of Veterinary Medicine. We will be working with them over the coming months to develop a timetable for considering the new programme against our accreditation standards.  The monitoring process will take a number of years."

The University has already laid the foundations for the new School through its expansion of teaching and research activities in its Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, including the launch of the BSc programme in Veterinary Biosciences in 2009 and in October of this year a new MSc in Veterinary Microbiology.  A new MSc in Veterinary Pathology is also currently under development.

Throughout the next twelve month period the University will be involved with the recruiting of new academic staff, attracting the first cohort of students, and beginning building works in preparation for the first cohort of students in 2014.

Notes to Editors

About the University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is one of the UK's leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life - helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law. In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 140 companies employing 2,700 staff.

The Sunday Times names Surrey as 'The University for Jobs' which underlines the university's growing reputation for providing high quality, relevant degrees.

Surrey is a member of the 1994 Group of 19 leading research-intensive universities.  The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching.  Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

Media enquiries: Peter La, Media Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44-01483-689191 or E-mail: p.la@surrey.ac.uk       

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