Harper & Keele - Director of Operations

A Vet School for a changing industry

The world of veterinary medicine is undergoing a period of exciting but challenging change. Advances in animal medicine mean that the possibilities for ground- breaking new treatments in small animal, farm animal and equine practices are constantly growing. The use of new precision farming technologies such as robotic dairies and “big data” is transforming the role of the farm practice vet - placing a greater emphasis on disease prevention. What is more, the options for non- clinical careers in the sector are increasingly strong – with new jobs opening up in education, business and innovation. These changes demand that veterinary graduates possess not only strong clinical and animal welfare skills, but also competencies in communication, business, law, ethics and academic practice. The Harper and Keele Veterinary School is committed to rising to this challenge from its foundation with a focus on broadening vet competencies in veterinary public health, professional skills, communication, ethics, well-being and business practice, as well as on core clinical skills

Both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association have highlighted the need for higher education to respond to a changing industry.

The curriculum at the Harper and Keele Vet School is constructed in such a way as to enhance the confidence, capability and resilience of the veterinary graduate. A team teaching approach means that a core of permanent Harper and Keele Vet School staff will be enhanced by practising vets from industry to ensure that graduates are “job-ready” – able to hit the ground running and practise immediately in a first opinion practice. All of the modules taught in the new school have been designed specifically with the modern vet in mind and are bespoke to the course .

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