Roseworthy vet school receives $15m funding

Veterinary Science

The University of Adelaide has taken a major step forward in its bid to establish South Australia's first veterinary science school, which will train up to 50 vets per year and help to prevent a 'brain drain' from the State.

The Federal Government has committed $15 million in funding and new Commonwealth-supported university places towards the establishment of a vet school, to be based at the University's Roseworthy Campus.

"The $15 million in funding and new university places allocated by the Federal Government are a major boost to our plans to establish South Australia's first veterinary school," said the University's Acting Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Fred McDougall.

"We know there is unmet demand nationally for students wanting to study veterinary science. A new school will help to slow the brain drain of students from South Australia who are currently leaving to study at vet schools interstate or overseas.

"As well as providing opportunities for young South Australians, the school will also become a leader in science, research and innovation for South Australia's animal health and agricultural industries," he said.

Among the 235 new student places announced for the University of Adelaide last month, 40 places each year from 2008 have been allocated to the University's vet school.

These places will be taken up by students studying for the three-year Bachelor of Science (Animal Science - Pre-Veterinary) degree. To complete their training, graduates of this degree program will then study for a three-year postgraduate veterinary science degree.

The number of places will rise to 50 per year for the postgraduate degree, which will begin at the University of Adelaide in 2011.

Professor Phil Hynd, Director of the Roseworthy Campus, said the vet school would focus on "emerging areas of national importance, such as aquaculture, biosecurity, production animals and equine health, and will specifically support South Australia's veterinary industry requirements".

Story by David Ellis