Veterinary deans address global problems facing education at OIE meeting in Paris

Paris, France - 4/24/2008- The change in gender, accreditation and veterinary shortages in agriculture and public health all headlined a world meeting of veterinary deans.

Hosted by OIE, which includes the World Organization for Animal Health, the three-day meeting sought to address the serious and global challenges facing veterinary education. Veterinary deans from the United States, Canada and Mexico were all represented, OIE reports.

The increase of students choosing a career as urban veterinarians versus rural veterinarians and the feminization of the profession are among the common challenges faculties face, the organization reports. Accreditation procedures for veterinary universities throughout the world are crucial for harmonization, OIE adds.