Veterinary education of Bangladesh
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Tithe Farhana
Veterinary science, also called veterinary medicine, grew for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases, and the healing of other animal disorders. It became established as a specialty as early as 2000BC in Babylonia and Egypt. Schools of veterinary science arose in the late 18th century in Europe and later elsewhere.
The word veterinary is derived from the Latin word veterinaries. Columelle, a leading author on agricultural and veterinary matters, used the term for taking care of pigs, sheep and cattle. The world got the idea of animal doctors from the Sumerian who developed a brilliant civilisation in Mesopotamia in 3000 BC.
Bangladesh's first veterinary college was opened in Comilla in 1947. It offered a three-year Diploma in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery after the then Matriculation now SSC. A five-year BSc in Animal Husbandry degree course was introduced after the college was shifted, first to Dhaka in 1951, and then to Mymensingh in 1957, when it became an affiliated college of Dhaka University.
Five public sector universities in Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh Agricultural University have the faculty of veterinary science. Bangladesh Agricultural University opened the faculty right from its inception in 1961.
Veterinary science was recognised as a profession in Bangladesh in 1982 Bangladesh Veterinarian Practitioners' ordinance 1982 regulates, controls and covers the registration. The Bangladesh Veterinary Council was established in 1985 for the registration of the veterinary graduates.
Sylhet Agricultural University opened in 2006 has been running additional facilities from the very beginning. The government's dairy, poultry and Black Bengal goat farms are there on the campus. The government-run artificial insemination centre is also there to facilitate the students' practical lessons. It offers Honours courses in veterinary science. MS courses have been introduced in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, medicine, animal science, nutrition, poultry science pharmacology, animal breeding and genetics. Sylhet Agricultural University is collaborating with number of foreign universities for standardisation of curriculum and educational development. It opened the fisheries faculty in 2007. It is expected to open bio engineering and technology department soon.
Chittagong Government Veterinary College (CGVC) was upgraded to Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in 2006 with the faculties of veterinary medicine and food science and technology. It provides theoretical, advanced practical and out campus work based learning. The universities have taken a programme for expansion of veterinary education with support from the British Council and DFID.
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University established in 2002 has 32 departments under seven faculties. The veterinary and animal science faculty teaches prevention and treatment of land animals for the production of healthy productive livestock and poultry. The Veterinary and Animal Science (VAS) faculty provides up-to-date education to ensure the protection of animal health and improvement of their productivity as source of food and power.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science of University of Rajshahi, opened in 2004, provides veterinary education. The department offers course-credit semester based multidisciplinary Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Recently, the department introduced MS, M Phil and PhD programme.
Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) opened in 2002 offers veterinary science, education in the disciplines of anatomy and histology, pathology, parasitology, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, animal genetics and breeding.
Re-emergence of zoonoses, bioterrorism, pollution, antimicrobial resistance, xenotransplantation and the socio economic importance of food production calls for collaborative professional action by veterinary. The health impacts on human health need to be reduced by minimising the hazards arising from animals, animal products and their environment. The hazards include zoonoses, vector borne infections and other communicable diseases, chemicals and drugs used in animals, envenomation and injuries from exposure to animals.
According to Dr. M.D Nazrul Islam, Dean of Agriculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, animal health care and welfare, quality production factors and effective rearing are essential for raising the livestocks. Veterinarians serve agriculture by supporting efficient and economic production of meat, milk and egg and protecting the livestock from diseases.
Veterinarians control natural diseases and minimise the threat to the health for the survival of wild life." Veterinaries can play a definite role in rural development in Bangladesh. About 6.5 per cent of national GDP comes from the livestock sector with an annual productivity is 9 per cent. About 20 per cent of the population earns livelihood through work associated with raising cattle and poultry. Draught power for tilling, the use of cow dung as manure and fuel and animal power for transportation make up about 15 per cent of the GDP. The leather industry is a foreign exchange earner.
The veterinaries are expected to play an increasing role in environment protection and socio-economic development.
A development worker, the writer can be reached at email : tanes_of_mono@yahoo.com
Veterinary science, also called veterinary medicine, grew for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases, and the healing of other animal disorders. It became established as a specialty as early as 2000BC in Babylonia and Egypt. Schools of veterinary science arose in the late 18th century in Europe and later elsewhere.
The word veterinary is derived from the Latin word veterinaries. Columelle, a leading author on agricultural and veterinary matters, used the term for taking care of pigs, sheep and cattle. The world got the idea of animal doctors from the Sumerian who developed a brilliant civilisation in Mesopotamia in 3000 BC.
Bangladesh's first veterinary college was opened in Comilla in 1947. It offered a three-year Diploma in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery after the then Matriculation now SSC. A five-year BSc in Animal Husbandry degree course was introduced after the college was shifted, first to Dhaka in 1951, and then to Mymensingh in 1957, when it became an affiliated college of Dhaka University.
Five public sector universities in Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh Agricultural University have the faculty of veterinary science. Bangladesh Agricultural University opened the faculty right from its inception in 1961.
Veterinary science was recognised as a profession in Bangladesh in 1982 Bangladesh Veterinarian Practitioners' ordinance 1982 regulates, controls and covers the registration. The Bangladesh Veterinary Council was established in 1985 for the registration of the veterinary graduates.
Sylhet Agricultural University opened in 2006 has been running additional facilities from the very beginning. The government's dairy, poultry and Black Bengal goat farms are there on the campus. The government-run artificial insemination centre is also there to facilitate the students' practical lessons. It offers Honours courses in veterinary science. MS courses have been introduced in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, medicine, animal science, nutrition, poultry science pharmacology, animal breeding and genetics. Sylhet Agricultural University is collaborating with number of foreign universities for standardisation of curriculum and educational development. It opened the fisheries faculty in 2007. It is expected to open bio engineering and technology department soon.
Chittagong Government Veterinary College (CGVC) was upgraded to Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in 2006 with the faculties of veterinary medicine and food science and technology. It provides theoretical, advanced practical and out campus work based learning. The universities have taken a programme for expansion of veterinary education with support from the British Council and DFID.
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University established in 2002 has 32 departments under seven faculties. The veterinary and animal science faculty teaches prevention and treatment of land animals for the production of healthy productive livestock and poultry. The Veterinary and Animal Science (VAS) faculty provides up-to-date education to ensure the protection of animal health and improvement of their productivity as source of food and power.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science of University of Rajshahi, opened in 2004, provides veterinary education. The department offers course-credit semester based multidisciplinary Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Recently, the department introduced MS, M Phil and PhD programme.
Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) opened in 2002 offers veterinary science, education in the disciplines of anatomy and histology, pathology, parasitology, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, animal genetics and breeding.
Re-emergence of zoonoses, bioterrorism, pollution, antimicrobial resistance, xenotransplantation and the socio economic importance of food production calls for collaborative professional action by veterinary. The health impacts on human health need to be reduced by minimising the hazards arising from animals, animal products and their environment. The hazards include zoonoses, vector borne infections and other communicable diseases, chemicals and drugs used in animals, envenomation and injuries from exposure to animals.
According to Dr. M.D Nazrul Islam, Dean of Agriculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, animal health care and welfare, quality production factors and effective rearing are essential for raising the livestocks. Veterinarians serve agriculture by supporting efficient and economic production of meat, milk and egg and protecting the livestock from diseases.
Veterinarians control natural diseases and minimise the threat to the health for the survival of wild life." Veterinaries can play a definite role in rural development in Bangladesh. About 6.5 per cent of national GDP comes from the livestock sector with an annual productivity is 9 per cent. About 20 per cent of the population earns livelihood through work associated with raising cattle and poultry. Draught power for tilling, the use of cow dung as manure and fuel and animal power for transportation make up about 15 per cent of the GDP. The leather industry is a foreign exchange earner.
The veterinaries are expected to play an increasing role in environment protection and socio-economic development.
A development worker, the writer can be reached at email : tanes_of_mono@yahoo.com