A bachelor’s programme in veterinary medicine is being offered for the first time in the country by UAE University (UAEU). According to the UAEU, the rising importance of veterinary medicine has resulted in the launch of the degree course in the College of Food and Agriculture. The programme was approved at the last University Council meeting, chaired by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the UAEU. “It will be the first bachelor’s programme of this kind in 
the UAE,” said a university statement. The five-year degree will include intensive practical and theoretical courses. Graduates from the veterinary programme will have similar qualifications to those from distinguished international veterinary schools. “The Veterinary Bachelor programme is of particular importance because the health of animals is directly related to food safety and the health of all human beings, which is of utmost importance to the nation,” said UAEU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ali Rashid Al Noaimi. “Due to the importance of animal resources in the UAE, particularly horses, camels, and falcons in tourism and sport, offering such (a) programme will support the co-operation among the organisations related to this sector,” he added. According to UAEU provost Prof Mohamed Yousif Baniyas, the veterinary programme will be supported by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). The ADFCA will open their clinics and animal hospitals 
for internship and training opportunities for students. Prof Ghaleb Alhadrami, Dean of the College of Food and Agriculture at UAEU, noted the lack of Emirati veterinarians. “Even though there are more than 400 veterinarians in the country, very few of them are nationals. It is a significant addition to extensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes already offered by UAEU.” Graduates of the programme can go on to practise veterinary medicine and care for pet animals, livestock, horses and poultry. Other occupations open to graduates include veterinary research, veterinary services, food and hygiene inspection and regulators in municipalities and food production, promotion of animal welfare, veterinary care and management of wildlife. From Khaleej Times