K-State professor works to create partnership with China

Manhattan, Kan.

-- A Kansas State University veterinary professor is working to develop a partnership between the university and China aimed at improving Chinese animal health education, research, government and industrial work force.

Dr. Jishu Shi, veterinarian and associate professor of anatomy and physiology in the school's College of Veterinary Medicine, developed the idea with the help of Dr. Ralph Richardson, dean of the college, and Dr. Frank Blecha, head of the department of anatomy and physiology. Dr. Shi visited China in late March to advance his idea for the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health, and received a $1,500 International incentive Grant from K-State's office of international programs to help with the trip.

Dr. Shi says the center will create more jobs in the KSU-based training center and will expand opportunities in the Chinese market for U.S. animal health businesses. He says the goal of the program is to help improve the Chinese Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training system and meet American Veterinary Medical Association accreditation standards.

Dr. Shi is working with the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association to establish the China Veterinary Continuing Education Center in Beijing. In the proposed partnership, K-State staff or faculty would teach at the center as part of an outreach opportunity.

According to Dr. Shi, K-State veterinary students would have the opportunity to study in China for a semester to learn traditional Chinese techniques like acupuncture. The program would also seek to train Chinese animal and public health officials on animal disease control management and how to work with international animal health organizations.