Initially established by educators for educators, the VetEd symposium captures a unique angle among veterinary conferences by focusing on the education and future careers of veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse students. Addressing topics such as ‘Gamification — can we make learning fun?’ and ‘Curriculum interventions to support professional reasoning’, the symposium includes poster sessions, workshops and key note speakers. A debate also took place discussing ‘Transition into the workplace — is it the job of the vet schools or the professionals?’
As a provider of veterinary parasitology resources, ESCCAP UK & Ireland recognises how important it is to support the veterinary profession from students right through to practice owners and beyond. Just as it is equally important to support professionals throughout the entire veterinary and animal care professions from veterinary surgeons to veterinary nurses, SQPs (Suitable Qualified Persons), practice receptionists, managers and more.
More than ever before, UK veterinary and animal care professionals need to work together to uphold UK biosecurity and to protect the health of our pets and the public. On a grander scale, the veterinary profession needs to be working with the human medical professions and governing bodies to further address the issue of biosecurity, something which is greatly advocated through the ‘One Health’ initiative. Importation of exotic disease is not the only challenge facing us which requires cross profession collaboration: Babesia canis is now considered to be endemic to the UK but has not yet, to our knowledge, spread around the country, and Lyme disease poses a significant threat to public health, as does toxocarosis.
Many professions start with study, whether vocational or classroom based. Addressing big issues such as One Health and UK biosecurity with students as they begin to train for their chosen professions helps to spread knowledge and awareness right the way through all levels of the profession as students qualify and progress throughout their careers and move along different pathways.
Today's students are tomorrow's professionals. The importance of their education cannot be understated and VetEd exemplifies this perfectly. The student experience is not simply about qualifying for a job, it is about qualifying with the correct tools, knowledge and preparation for what is to follow; it is about progressing the veterinary profession (or any profession!) to be the very best that it can be; it is about improvement and willingness to change; it is about laying the foundations for the future. Professor the Lord Sandy Trees (Emeritus Professor and former Dean of the Veterinary Science Faculty at Liverpool University) spoke in his keynote lecture about the retention of graduates in the profession and provided worrying evidence about the disillusionment of young veterinary professionals. It is clear that there is a need to harness the excitement and passion initially felt by veterinary students for their chosen vocations and carry this forth throughout their studies and into the workforce.
It is hoped that symposiums such as VetEd and other student and education focused conferences will pave the way to eliminate any disillusionment within the profession by new graduates or seasoned professionals alike and grow the veterinary profession from strength to strength. After all, the need for veterinary professionals has never been higher, with contributions required in control of exotic disease and zoonotic infection, conservation efforts, health and welfare, public health and Brexit.