UQ Veterinary School accreditation assurances

The University of Queensland Veterinary School has assured all students that the movement of some large animal facilities from metropolitan Brisbane to the Gatton campus will have no affect on the School's accreditation.

The assurance is contained in a memorandum to all students and endorsed by the main accreditation body - the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council.

Acting head of the Veterinary School, Associate Professor Neil McMeniman, explains in the memorandum that the present restructure of the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science Faculty had generated considerable debate and comment about Veterinary School accreditation.

'Some of the comments indicate that there may be some misconception about what accreditation means,' the memorandum said.

'The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science received its most recent accreditation in 1995 and the next accreditation visitation is due in 2002.

'The fact that, as a consequence of the present restructure, the majority of the large animal handling components of the course are being shifted to the Gatton campus should have no effect on accreditation provided the standard of teaching remains high.'

Dr McMeniman said the school would ensure high-quality teaching continued.

The memorandum explains the 1995 accreditation report concluded that UQ's Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree course was well balanced, but made a number of recommendations. All but two of these have now been implemented.

'The two outstanding are the appointment of a Professor of Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery and the establishment of a new Equine Surgery Facility. The Professor's position will be filled before the end of the year.

'The Equine rotation in fifth year that was in the past located in the Equine Clinic at St Lucia is now being presented by Adjunct Professor Reg Pascoe and his staff at his Oakey veterinary practice. As the standard of teaching in this rotation is excellent, the fact that it is located at Oakey should have no effect on our upcoming accreditation.

For more information contact Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications on 3365 1088 or 0413 380012