African Association of Veterinary Education Establishments (2A2E-V) Executive Committee discuss strategic directions during Pretoria Meeting

Posted by Patricia Lumba on 08 June 2022 8:55 PM CAT

The Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort campus hosted the African Association of Veterinary Education Establishments (2A2E-V) Executive Committee from 31 May – to 3 June 2022. Attendees of the meeting included: the ten-member 2A2E-V Executive Committee, AU-IBAR staff, and guest presenters and attendees from the Council for International Veterinary Medical Education (Dr Alaster Samkange, UNAM - Core member representing Africa on the Council on International Veterinary Medical Education - CIVME); Prof Ronel Callaghan, Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria; and Heads of Departments and Deputy Dean: Research and post-graduate studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, from the University of Pretoria. 

The workshop deliberations were based on six thematic working groups aligned to the strategic objectives:

•  Enhancing collaboration among all the Veterinary Education Establishments;
•  Establishing continental quality assurance in veterinary education, training and research by establishing reference standards for accreditation.
•  Harmonizing veterinary curricula in Africa to ensure improved collaboration amongst African.
•  Enhancing dissemination of innovations and good practice among African VEEs.
•  Building capacity among educators in the African Veterinary Education Establishments, and;
•  Promoting quality facilities at African VEEs.

During the workshop's opening, AU-IBAR's Acting Director, Dr Nick Nwankpa, observed that the VEEs are operating in a rapidly changing environment. These changes include increasing demand for animal and animal products, technological innovations; globalization; emerging and re-emerging health threats; climate change; biodiversity loss and pollution. Within this context, he further noted the need to strengthen veterinary education to enhance the quality of veterinary services to respond to the emerging issues and respond to the needs of society and industry.

By the end of the meeting, the executive committee reignited their loyalty to the association and highlighted the need for continuity in several areas. (i) Solidarity: 2A2E-V is an Academic project free from political interference; (ii) Commitment: The 2A2E-V Executive Committee remains committed to achieving the objectives – on a pro bono basis; (ii) Focus: The 2A2E-V EC understanding that this project is focused on achieving the Agenda 2063, the Africa that we want. Free trade on the continent will unlock significant economic potential for the continent. The meeting further recognized the support to 2A2E-V by AU-IBAR for initiating the project, the European Union for providing the funding through the Live2Africa project, and other external support such as the recent commitment from AAVMC, and collaboration with CIVME.

The Executive Committee also proposed the dates for the three significant events: the VetEdAfrica Pretoria from 1 – 3 November 2022; the 2A2E-V General Assembly to be held in Morocco in March 2023; and the VetEdAfrica to be held in Rabat in March 2023. 

Since 2A2E-V was launched in Cairo, Egypt on the 26th July 2018 during the 1st Pan-African Conference of the Association, 2A2E-V has recorded a number of achievements. A key achievement is the development of guidelines ‘Re-Profiling of Veterinary Profession: Day 1 Competencies for Veterinarian in Africa’. The guidelines identify key competencies to improve and strengthen the quality and the performance of the Veterinary services in Africa based on the OIE recommendations. The guidelines aim is to reinforce competencies that address challenges peculiar to the African continent. The guidelines serve also as an important tool to inform harmonisation of the Veterinary Curriculum in the continent.

With regards to enhancing collaboration among all the Veterinary Education Establishments, the association is currently establishing an online platform to connect the various veterinary education establishments on the continent.

More information on 2A2E-V and the platform under development may be found on:

Read speech by Director, AU-IBAR during the opening of 2A2E-V workshop - http://repository.au-ibar.org/handle/123456789/1231

Read the meeting conclusions - http://repository.au-ibar.org/handle/123456789/1232

Current 2A2E-V Executive Committee Members:

·       Prof Dietmar Holm, University of Pretoria, South Africa – President

·       Prof Noursaid Tligui, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine,           Morocco – 1st Vice President

·       Prof Adem Hiko Woshie, Haramaya University, Ethiopia – 2nd Vice President

·       Prof Adebayo Koyuum AKINLOYE, Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria –           Secretary General – Online

·       Prof PYANA PATI Patient, National Pedagogic University, DRC – Treasurer

·       Prof Arouna Njayou Ngapagna, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon – Member

·       Prof Mohamed Ghanem, Benha University, Egypt

·       Prof King S. Nalubamba, University of Zambia

·       Prof Youssouf Sidime, Institut Supérieur des Sciences et de Médecine Vétérinaire de Dalaba, Guinee

·       Prof Adil Salman, University of Bahri, Sudan