Veterinary Education in the Middle East: Perspective of an OIE Twining Project on Veterinary Education Ehab Abu-Basha, DVM, MSc, Ph.D Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid, Jordan 1

Introduction-I What are the roles of the Veterinary Colleges? – Build the necessary knowledge needed to ensure that vets are able to perform their roles!!! Animal Health Animal Welfare Public Health – Build the student thinking of issues related to ethical behaviors. – Promote self learning and building the confidence. – Continuing education. 2

Introduction-II In the Middle east region, there is about 60 Veterinary colleges. All follow a five-year program. Students are directly accepted after finishing high school. Most of the schools lack appropriate distribution of the Basic vs Clinical courses in curriculum. Most colleges have no or minimal role in continuing education. 3

Challenges that Face Vet. Education in the ME Lack or inadequate governmental support. Student enrollment. High cost of credit hours. Lack of accreditation body. Curriculum (theory more than practical). Admission criteria/ student interest. Board certified clinicians. 4

Promoting Vet Education in the ME Student enrollment Talk to high school students and parents Public Media Promotion - Flyers - Vet Days 5

6 Community Awareness of Veterinary Education

7 Promotion flyers

Promoting Vet Education in the ME Accreditation Initiate a ME body Seek other Bodies AVMA, EAEVE, ….. 8

Promoting Vet Education in the ME JUST is currently an EAEVE associate member 9

Promoting Vet Education in the ME Inappropriate curriculum Does not meet the stakeholder prospective Confusing Theory more than practical No class-free training 10

Admission to Vet Schools Directly from High School Pre-Vet Programs Promoting Vet Education in the ME JUST Intervention 11

Admission to Vet College at JUST Basic Req. Weigh 50% Step 1 Admission exam Weigh 25% Step 2 Interview Weigh 25% Step 3 3 Steps Scheme 12

High Quality Applied Research: – Help stakeholders – Applied Examples: Vaccine development – External funding – Developmental projects 13 Promoting Vet Education in the ME

OIE Vet. Education Twining Program 14

OIE Vet. Education Twining Objectives: – Jointly agreed by the OIE and the Directors/Deans of the participants and endorsed by the National Delegates to the OIE of the countries concerned To create more centers of excellence for veterinary education in geographical areas that are currently under-represented. To achieve a better balance in the global distribution of well-educated veterinarians. 15

JUST-RVC Twining Project JUST objectives: – Achieving the full EAEVE accreditation – Technical assistance, guidance and training. – Establishment a joint MSc/PhD program The full proposal is in the final stage of preparation 16