The future
A new curriculum
To ensure the Melbourne School of Veterinary Science continues to offer an exceptional education in veterinary science and continues to graduate veterinary scientists who are equal to the best in the world, we continue to refine and update our veterinary program to keep it current with developments in veterinary practice and veterinary science.
As a key part of this process, we will officially become a Graduate School in 2010, and will introduce a new professional entry graduate degree, as part of the Melbourne Model, from 2011. Our new graduate degree, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, will offer veterinary students the best possible preparation for twenty-first century careers in a rapidly changing and increasingly global workforce.
OUR BIG IDEAS
World-class infrastructure
The School needs to provide the infrastructure and facilities required to support world-class veterinary students and academics and cutting-edge research programs. We have already begun on this path, by redeveloping the auditorium in Werribee, and updating the computer laboratories at the Pre-Clinical Centre in Parkville and at the Veterinary Clinical Centre in Werribee. However, much more needs to be done as we work to maintain a position as the pre-eminent Veterinary School in the Southern Hemisphere.
Our aim is to make significant enhancements to the Parkville building; in particular the third floor of the multipurpose teaching space needs to provide capacity to teach 120 students. Currently we teach many laboratory classes twice due to space restraints.
To enhance the School’s position as a leader in contemporary veterinary practice, we plan to develop a comprehensive veterinary and animal imaging centre at the Veterinary Clinical Centre. The Animal Imaging Centre will support cutting-edge veterinary care, enabling investigation of spontaneous animal diseases, and providing a valuable resource for researchers throughout Victoria.
Student scholarships
The School will continue to seek out the best and brightest students from around the globe, drawn to the Melbourne School of Veterinary Science by our unique resources and educational experience – with no barriers of geography, financial capacity or background to block their way. In order to achieve this we will create a number of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students to help them achieve their dreams.
Academic excellence
The School will continue to place a high priority on attracting and retaining academics of the highest calibre in an increasingly challenging and competitive environment. We have recently made a number of high-profile appointments including the introduction of a new Chair of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dr Ted Whittem; an Associate Professor in Production Animal Management and Welfare, Dr Andrew Fisher; a veterinary neurologist, Dr Sam Long; and an expert in veterinary public health and epidemiology, Dr Jo Devlin. We expect to announce more high-profile appointments in the near future. However, in our commitment to achieving and sustaining excellence
in every area of teaching and research, we plan to recruit additional leading academics, including some to be appointed as Chairs or Professors, in the areas of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Diseases of Australian Wildlife, and Medicine of Sheep and Cattle.
We cannot achieve these ambitious goals, which will maintain the eminence of the Melbourne School of Veterinary Science, without the assistance of our supporters and stakeholders. With your help, we can shape the future of the Melbourne School of Veterinary Science and build a new generation of veterinary scientists who will perform surgical firsts, carry out groundbreaking research and develop new vaccines and technologies that will improve the health of animals and humans globally. Please contact us if you want to get involved.