Australia’s first veterinary science course developed to meet the needs of rural practice will unveil its state-of-the-art teaching centre at an official opening by the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Honorable Julie Bishop MP at Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus this week.
Charles Sturt University’s $4.7million Veterinary Pre-Clinical Centre is the first purpose-built teaching facility for the new Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree. Based at CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus, the six-year degree has a strong focus on livestock health and production; large animal, equine as well as companion animal medicine and surgery; and wildlife health. [see background notes below]
“It is vital we have adequate provision of veterinarians outside metropolitan Australia. As National Herd Protection and biosecurity are Commonwealth priorities, Australia must have the ability to respond to any exotic disease outbreak in livestock and wildlife populations,” said CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter.
“Our aim is to ensure there are veterinary science graduates trained to meet the specific needs of rural practice with a particular emphasis on livestock health.”
CSU has a strong track record of initiating degrees for the professions and training staff in areas of critical need for regional Australia, Professor Goulter added. “The University has always taken a lead role in working for inland and regional Australia and this is central to our planning for veterinary biosecurity and herd management as well as research into current and potential threats to Australia’s livestock industries.”
Director of Veterinary Science at CSU, Professor Kym Abbott said the Pre-Clinical Centre, completed in April, has broken new ground in veterinary education. “The centre seamlessly integrates medical images like x-rays and ultrasound, digital video, animations and images with traditional time-honoured teaching tools such as dissection,” Professor Abbott said.
“The new centre gives us the opportunity to support theoretical instruction with access to live animals for many of the pre-clinical classes. This is one of the richest learning environments ever developed for veterinary students. It is an outstanding example of CSU’s commitment to excellence in teaching,” Professor Abbott said.
- 10 am Thursday 24 August: Ministerial Launch of the CSU Veterinary Pre-Clinical Centre for teaching anatomy, physiology and introductory clinical skills - to be opened by the Minister for Education Science and Training, The Hon. Julie Bishop MP.
- Event to run from 10 am to 11am. Media Doorstop 11am to 11.15am in Museum, Room 102 Veterinary Science Pre-Clinical Centre.
- Launch location:: Pre-Clinical Centre, Nathan Cobb Drive, CSU Wagga Wagga Campus
As Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues, the Hon. Julie Bishop will also launch two other important initiatives during her visit to CSU on Thursday 24 August:
- 11.30am: National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, McKeown Drive, CSU. The Minister will launch a major report on the social effects of Australia’s worst drought, especially the impact on young people’s access to education in rural areas The impact of drought on secondary education access in Australia’s rural and remote areas was compiled by Professor Margaret Alston and Ms Jenny Kent of CSU’s Centre for Rural Social Research. The report was commissioned by the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and the Rural Education Program.
- 12.15pm: National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, McKeown Drive, CSU. Minister Bishop will launch Charles Sturt University’s recently formed Senior Women’s Network. The network of more than 30 senior academics and administrators was established to support and encourage women in leadership roles at CSU; to promote cultural change and increase the number of women leaders within the University.
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