25 March 2008
MUSCAT -- A bachelors' degree programme in veterinary technology has been launched by the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). It represents a pioneer undertaking in the Gulf region and is expected to have a tremendous impact on Oman's endeavours to improve human and animal health, both of which are intricately intertwined. The first cohort of the BSc Veterinary Technology programme, comprised 20 students, has started taking fundamental core courses at the university.
Prof Eugene H Johnson from the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences said that the urgency of developing this programme was based on the need for 200 veterinary technologists to assist in providing veterinary services to the animal-based industry in the Sultanate. The expertise of the veterinary technology graduates from the university would help in the efforts of the Sultanate's administration in combating livestock diseases such as foot and mouth disease, mad cow disease, salmonellosis and cryptosporidiosis, among many others, he added.
Numerous live stock diseases in the country as well as in the Gulf region inflict serious economic losses to the agricultural industry. Apart from this, considerable attention will be focused on the presence of harmful substances such as antimicrobials and pesticide residues in the food supply. The veterinary technology undergraduates at the university will receive intensive training in the routine execution of diagnostic laboratory tests and clinical procedures. During the programme, intensive training will be given in clinical medicine, assisting in surgical procedures, anesthesia, clinical pathology, diagnostic microbiology, parasitology, serology and clinical pathology, as well as diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, animal breeding and management.
Graduate veterinary technologists will be competent to identify abnormal behavioural patterns of animals, administer drugs, provide certain basic treatments and perform herd inoculations. They will also advise farmers about basic animal nutrition, reproduction and animal care management. Prof Johnson also said that veterinary technologists would easily find employment in the Sultanate.
MUSCAT -- A bachelors' degree programme in veterinary technology has been launched by the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). It represents a pioneer undertaking in the Gulf region and is expected to have a tremendous impact on Oman's endeavours to improve human and animal health, both of which are intricately intertwined. The first cohort of the BSc Veterinary Technology programme, comprised 20 students, has started taking fundamental core courses at the university.
Prof Eugene H Johnson from the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences said that the urgency of developing this programme was based on the need for 200 veterinary technologists to assist in providing veterinary services to the animal-based industry in the Sultanate. The expertise of the veterinary technology graduates from the university would help in the efforts of the Sultanate's administration in combating livestock diseases such as foot and mouth disease, mad cow disease, salmonellosis and cryptosporidiosis, among many others, he added.
Numerous live stock diseases in the country as well as in the Gulf region inflict serious economic losses to the agricultural industry. Apart from this, considerable attention will be focused on the presence of harmful substances such as antimicrobials and pesticide residues in the food supply. The veterinary technology undergraduates at the university will receive intensive training in the routine execution of diagnostic laboratory tests and clinical procedures. During the programme, intensive training will be given in clinical medicine, assisting in surgical procedures, anesthesia, clinical pathology, diagnostic microbiology, parasitology, serology and clinical pathology, as well as diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, animal breeding and management.
Graduate veterinary technologists will be competent to identify abnormal behavioural patterns of animals, administer drugs, provide certain basic treatments and perform herd inoculations. They will also advise farmers about basic animal nutrition, reproduction and animal care management. Prof Johnson also said that veterinary technologists would easily find employment in the Sultanate.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
