On Oct. 7, 2008, representatives from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) signed an International Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies (RDSVS) in Edinburgh, Scotland, to establish a Sister School partnership. The partnership will involve exchanges of veterinary and graduate students, faculty and, in the future, professional staff, residents and potentially even joint appointments.
CVMBS and RDSVS support world-renowned veterinary programs, have very similar research interests (infectious diseases, equine orthopedics, neuroscience, oncology, and animal reproduction), and both share international reputations for excellence in basic and applied biomedical research in these and other areas of research. The program will kick off this summer with veterinary student exchanges in clinical rotations, student externships, vacation project exchanges, and the Merck Summer Research program.
“Because of our shared interests, we feel there is much to be gained through this partnership for both institutions,” said Dr. Sherry Stewart, Assistant Dean in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and a member of the delegation that traveled to Scotland for the signing ceremony. Dr. Terry Nett, Associate Dean, also attended. During their time in Scotland, CVMBS representatives were able to meet Her Royal Highness Princess Anne who was at the school to plant a tree celebrating the completion of RDSVS’ newest veterinary teaching facility.
Professor Elaine Watson, Head of the RDSVS, hailed the agreement saying it would greatly assist in the School’s mission to provide veterinary research and education on a global scale. The agreement will give both veterinary schools access to each other’s expertise and resources.
“Our goal is to expose our students to training in diseases endemic in the United States that we do not currently encounter in Europe,” said Dr. Watson. “This will significantly increase our students’ preparedness for the appearance of these diseases in the United Kingdom – West Nile fever would be one such example. This creates a very powerful precedent for international collaborations between top veterinary schools. The formal link with Colorado is great news for staff and students alike.”
For additional information on the program, contact Dr. Stewart at sherry.stewart@colostate.edu.
