How safeguarding animal health ensures human sustainability

For years animals have been man’s closest companions – providing food, clothing, and medicine. As a result humans have developed a resilient bond with the animal kingdom. We are therefore indebted to the animals – our fellow inhabitants of the planet. Because Bangladesh largely depends on livestock for food, the government puts emphasis on food security. As a result, the country needs competent veterinary graduates who can contribute towards both national health and economy through the practice of modern veterinary technology.

The Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU) was founded in 2006 to cater to the growing demand to secure animal health in Bangladesh. CVASU offers a 5-year Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) course with a one year internship. Since the inception of CVASU, enrolment of students has constantly grown, indicating a high demand for the discipline.

Research funding has been sporadic in the past for the faculty, only a few capable members obtained project-based research funding. It helped them enrich their own knowledge but hardly contributed to the overall improvement of teaching facilities. The scenario changed in 2011 when the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine started receiving significant and holistic financial and technical support from the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP) funded by The World Bank Group. HEQEP assistance was designed on the basis of the strategic development plan submitted by CVASU. This enabled them to update and modernize the teaching/learning facilities of the University.

CVASU established a veterinary teaching hospital for on-hand clinical practice. It enhanced the scope of its satellite veterinary clinic, established a library and a museum to showcase the anatomy of various animals. The university acquired other materials to enhance practical and visual teaching / learning facilities. The students and many animal farmers are now benefitting from the modern diagnostic facilities at CVASU with essential clinical investigation equipment supported by HEQEP. CVASU personnel provide solutions to problems in the field through off-campus on-farm clinical services like artificial insemination (AI) and telemedicine. This has led to improved communication and interface between farm owners / managers and CVASU personnel. In short, CVASU has established a state-of-the-art clinical teaching technology and methodology. The university has also established an IT cum English language laboratory and set-up software for Management Information Systems (MIS). It renovated classrooms, laboratories and a conference room with new furniture. It procured and installed logistical support for digitalizing the teaching / learning process.

HEQEP helped CVASU to provide an optimum environment and academic program to produce capable and competent veterinary graduates. CVASU organizes on-campus clinical practice and establishes off-campus satellite veterinary clinics (SVC) utilizing global advances in veterinary education. These veterinarians play a significant role in the development of livestock and poultry in Bangladesh. This in turn contributes to the country’s food security, livestock wealth, and has a positive impact on maternal and child nutrition. It also empowers women by promoting livestock rearing as a livelihood option. CVASU has transformed the veterinary education system from a traditional teacher-centred, lecture-based veterinary education to a student-centred, interactive, hands-on learning process.

The Vice Chancellor of CVASU, Professor Doctor A S Mahfuzul Bari said, “CVASU aims to provide innovative and scientific curricula by undertaking need-based quality research. It provides high quality clinical, diagnostic and advisory services. Thus the University develops close collaboration with industries; undertakes consultancy projects and establishes academic and research collaboration and links with other allied universities / institutions / organizations at home and abroad”.

This article is published in collaboration with The World Bank’s End Poverty in South Asia. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Ahamad Tanvirul Alam Chowdhury is an Education Consultant for the Education Global Practice Team in the World Bank. 

Image: A man feeds his cows by the river Buriganga in Dhaka May 18, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj.