CityUHK nurtures future veterinarians and promotes animal health and welfare

As a sixth-year student in the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) programme at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), Monica Chan Hiu-man has had opportunities to complete placements at ranches and stables around the world. Among all her experiences, Monica considers her two-week trip to Egypt this summer for clinical extramural studies at an equine hospital to be the most memorable.

Located in a rural area of Egypt, the equine hospital was not well-equipped, and most of the clients communicated with the staff in Arabic. Despite the language barrier, Monica proactively overcame the challenges by asking questions whenever in doubt and meticulously observing the workflow. The staff at the equine hospital explained cases in detail, allowing her to apply what she had learned in class, such as injections and wound management. "During my placement, I encountered cases that were rare in Hong Kong, one of which was African horse sickness. This invaluable experience allowed me to witness first-hand how local veterinarians tackle serious diseases with limited resources," said Monica.

Reflecting on her academic journey at CityUHK, Monica explained that the BVM programme covers a wide range of topics, including local disease epidemiology, public health, animal welfare and related legislation. The programme also offers various local and overseas learning opportunities, such as a five-week husbandry experience at Cornell University, where students can practice blood sampling, injections and physical examinations on animals such as cows and horses.

Monica's academic excellence was recognised when she was awarded the Innovation and Technology Scholarship in 2021. With this scholarship, she participated in multiple exchange programmes, such as caring for wild animals, like cheetahs and meerkats, at a ranch in South Africa and taking a summer course on health data analytics at University College London. In her final year, Monica hopes to further enhance her knowledge through upcoming clinical rotations and eventually become a veterinarian who promotes animal health and welfare.

Monica's journey towards becoming a vet is well underway. Kim Yoolim from South Korea, in contrast, has just completed her first year in the BVM programme. Driven by her desire to make society a better place, Yoolim thinks that the relationship between humans and animals goes beyond caregivers and caretakers. She believes that the health and welfare of both humans and animals are interconnected. This belief led her to study the BVM programme at CityUHK after obtaining her Bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Notre Dame. Yoolim aspires to protect animal health and welfare and contribute to society by embracing the concept of One Health. She highlights that the BVM program at CityUHK is the only programme in Asia to receive dual accreditation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, providing a multitude of career opportunities.

This summer, Yoolim completed part of the husbandry extramural studies at an animal shelter and a poultry farm, among other locations. Her experience at the Tuen Mun Riding School was particularly impactful. "Prior to studying in the BVM programme, I had never interacted with horses, and their sheer size was initially overwhelming. However, during my placement, I developed a deep bond with the horses; one horse even fell asleep with its head resting against my body. This human-horse connection profoundly touched me and further fuelled my passion for veterinary medicine," said Yoolim. In Year 2, Yoolim hopes to engage in research work and expand her veterinary knowledge.

CityUHK has introduced four Flagship Programmes with an enticing scholarship scheme for the 2024/25 academic year to empower students with vital knowledge and skills, cultivate their global leadership abilities, and connect them with leading professionals. The four Flagship Programmes are: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, BBA Global Business, Global Research Enrichment and Technopreneurship, and Pathway for Research, Innovation, and Multinational Engineering. Starting from the 2025/26 academic year, the Flagship Programmes will be expanded to nine programmes, including: BSocSc in Psychology (Stream: Wellbeing Enhancement and Care Management (WE-CARE) Programme), Creative Arts and Technology Excellence, Data Empowerment: Learn, Transform and Achieve, International Sustainability Programme for Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship, and Bachelor of Laws.

For more information of the Flagship Programmes and Flagship Scholarships, please visit the following website.

Media enquiries: Vanessa Cheung, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 5221 or 6408 7411)

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