Education Minister tours Roseworthy

Science

Federal Education Minister the Hon. Julie Bishop has praised the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy Campus for its animal science facilities and close community ties.

During a tour of the campus recently, organised by Federal Member for Wakefield the Hon. David Fawcett, Ms Bishop was briefed on a feasibility study investigating a proposed Veterinary School for the campus.

If the program is endorsed by the University Council and the Federal Government, it will offer places in an undergraduate pre-veterinary stream in 2008 and places in the postgraduate stream from 2011.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Fred McDougall said the program would require an estimated 40 Commonwealth-supported places as well as international and domestic fee-based places.

Consultations with State secondary schools, veterinarians, animal-related industries in South Australia and other universities have identified strong and widespread support for the concept.

"Existing facilities at Roseworthy and around the State will be used, but additional funding will be required to construct the necessary veterinary specific training facilities," Professor McDougall said.

The proposed Veterinary School will focus its research and teaching on biosecurity, aquaculture, production animals and equine health. It will aim at achieving international accreditation as a priority.

"There is a strong demand for more rural, large animal vets in South Australia, and the emergence of new animal industries, such as aquaculture, requires vets trained in diseases of farmed seafoods," Professor McDougall said.

"Working together with existing veterinary programs around Australia and offering specialisations that are currently not available, the Adelaide program will provide opportunities for more rounded veterinarians across the country."

South Australia is the only mainland State not offering a veterinary science degree, despite strong demand from high-quality school leavers.

"The Minister was impressed with the facilities at Roseworthy and the quality and range of research into animal science," Professor McDougall said.