Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) announced that it has signed an articulation agreement with Stellenbosch University. This is the first articulation RUSVM has signed with a university in South Africa to increase opportunities for qualified students to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Through this agreement, students from Stellenbosch University Faculty of AgriScience, who meet specified academic requirements, may gain direct admission to RUSVM. These qualified students will have their application fees waived, will be guaranteed interviews and will be considered for eligible international scholarships.
“The new partnership with RUSVM provides a direct pathway for our students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. For some this may be a lifelong dream and for others it will be an opportunity to serve our society through the health of animals,” said Prof. Danie Brink, Acting Dean, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University.
According to a press release from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), there is a demand for a strong and well-trained veterinary network worldwide, due to the growing importance of animal diseases and zoonoses. Infectious disease agents and toxins found in animal populations and animal products are considered an on-going threat to animal health, economies, biodiversity, food security, food safety and public health. A conference hosted by the OIE in October 2015 reviewed the important need for trained veterinarians and para-veterinary professionals in Africa.
“As part of the RUSVM mission, we are committed to providing training in areas strategically important to global health, thus enabling our students to become contributors to both human and animal medicine,” said Dr. Carmen Fuentealba, Executive Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning.
“This is of strategic importance as we extend our reach to South Africa and the rest of the globe to train veterinarians in key areas from the latest in pet care to food safety and security issues to assist in the control of infectious and zoonotic diseases,” she said.
About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), founded in 1982, is committed to preparing students to become members and leaders of an international public and professional healthcare team, and to advance human, animal and ecosystem health (One Health Initiative) through research and knowledge exchange.
The research programs initiated by RUSVM place emphasis on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine, and ecosystem health. RUSVM offers postgraduate Masters, PhD and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs, which are all accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board. The DVM program holds accredited status from the American Veterinary Medical Association. The RUSVM Veterinary Clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information on RUSVM, visit www.rossu.edu/vet.
About Stellenbosch University, Faculty of AgriSciences
The history of Stellenbosch University (SU) dates back as far as the 17th century, when regular school education was initiated in 1685 in the town of Stellenbosch. When SU was officially established in 1918, Agriculture was one of the first four faculties established, and since its establishment, made an immense contribution to agricultural education and research in South Africa.
The Faculty of AgriSciences is recognized as a consultant by agricultural and forestry industries. Students enrolled in the Faculty's under- and postgraduate programs are expertly trained to become leaders and managers in the various sectors of related industries. In 2006 the Faculties of Agriculture and Forestry merged to become the Faculty of AgriSciences, as it is known today. The Faculty, which consists of 11 departments, boasts more than 1270 undergraduate and 460 postgraduate students. For more information about Stellenbosch University Faculty of AgriSciences visit AgriSciences (sun.ac.za).
