The
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has awarded
unconditional approved status for the maximum period of seven
years to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University
of Edinburgh.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies joins an elite
group of vet schools across the world which have gained this
status, universally regarded as indicating the highest international
standards in veterinary education.
There are only four other schools outside the United States
and Canada, which are recognised in this way (Utrecht University,
The Netherlands; Massey University, New Zealand; University
of Glasgow and The Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom).
The accreditation process was a major exercise, involving
the preparation of a self-evaluation document explaining how
the school met the stringent criteria in the AVMA standards
for approval, and a site visit to tour our facilities and
meet with a wide cross-section of Faculty staff and students.
After postponing the planned site visit in May 2001 because
of the Foot and Mouth Disease crisis, the AVMA team visited
at the beginning of December, with the decision granting accreditation
being made at the Council on Education meeting in late March.
The site visit team was not exclusively from the United States
and Canada as the specified composition included two UK members
to advise on custom and practices here - David Murdoch, a
practitioner from the Wirral, and Professor Michael Clarkson,
a retired member of staff from the University of Liverpool.
Commenting on the award the Dean of the Faculty, Professor
Richard Halliwell, said, We are delighted that our undergraduate
degree programme meets the exacting standards of the American
Veterinary Medical Association.
This recognition acknowledges the hard work and professionalism
of the staff of the Dick Vet in providing world class teaching,
and it gives our students a qualification which affords greater
flexibility in terms of entitlement to practice in other countries
around the world.