Roseworthy explores feasibility of state's first vet school

Animal Science

The University of Adelaide will investigate whether it is feasible to establish a veterinary science school at Roseworthy - the first in the state's history.

Director of the Roseworthy Campus, Professor Phil Hynd, said the University was keen to address the serious shortage of rural-based vets in South Australia and support the growth of new animal industries.

"There is a strong demand for more rural vets in the state. Also, the emergence of new animal industries, such as aquaculture, requires vets trained in diseases of farmed seafoods. We want to be in a position to satisfy and meet those needs," Professor Hynd said.

South Australia is the only mainland Australian state that does not offer a veterinary science degree, despite strong demand from high-quality, local school-leavers.

Professor Hynd said South Australians had always been forced to study veterinary science interstate and many did not return after the completion of their course.

"Previous attempts to establish a vet science school here have been unsuccessful because of a perceived lack of demand for more urban-based vets," Professor Hynd said.

When Murdoch University established a veterinary science facility in Perth in 1975 it guaranteed to take 12 interstate applicants per year, including South Australians, Professor Hynd said.

"This happened for a few years, after which the pledge was abandoned."

Since 2003, two new vet schools have opened - at James Cook University in Queensland and Charles Sturt University in NSW.

If successful, the first intake of students into a veterinary science school could start in several years time, Professor Hynd said.

"It will take substantial preparation work, lobbying, and approval from the Department of Education, Science and Technology before we can start developing the infrastructure, staffing and purchase of a vet clinic."

The feasibility study will look at unique veterinary demands for SA, changes in the supply and demand for vets in the future, changes in the animal industries sector and an increase in demand for training of overseas, full-fee paying students from Asia and the USA.

Story by Candy Gibson