SUA faculty members tour a bovine facility during the visit to K-State.

One of the objectives of the OIE Twinning Project in the workshop is to foster networking that may lead to further opportunities for education, research and professional development. During this fourth workshop of the twinning project, the main topics discussed were curriculum mapping, continuing education, research collaborative opportunities and the student exchange program.

The main objectives of the twinning project are to integrate the SUA BVM degree curriculum in compliance with the OIE Recommended Model Core Veterinary Curriculum. Gap analysis on SUA curriculum mapping has been finished and has been used to generate from data validated through consultation with the instructors who are responsible for delivery of the different courses in the curriculum. The number of courses addressing competence went down for almost all the competencies. The K-State team had done some initial work on the DVM degree curriculum and are now planning to consult with respective course instructors for validation.

As part of the twinning project between SUA and K-State, a continuing education (CE) five-day course will be given to Tanzanian veterinarians at SUA in June 2019. Four K-State faculty will participate during the CE course in Tanzania. The SUA workshop participants attended K-State’s annual conference and have gained experience for the future planned CE course delivery for next year.

The overwhelming collective goal of researchers at K-State and SUA is to identify innovative solutions to combat global health challenges. There are several common research focus areas for both school’s researchers to engage in collaborative research projects, for which a matrix has been prepared and updated during the workshop. The bottleneck for establishing active collaborative research projects is identifying the necessary funding streams. The workshop discussed options and identified individuals at both institutions to serve as resources for sharing and promoting potential funding opportunities.

The student exchange program has provided a rich cultural experience for students from both partner universities who share and learn to enhance veterinary education through problem solving from different perspectives and approaches. Students and faculty will gain a global perspective by exploring different livestock production systems, animal and zoonotic diseases, and the challenges to control new, emerging diseases.

The clinical case presentation program between SUA and K-State has been reviewed by faculty and students, and there was positive feedback to continue sharing diverse and interactive clinical case presentations for broader knowledge, international networking and solidarity through two-way capacity building for students and through faculty engagement.

During the workshop, SUA visitors toured the Veterinary Health Center, which was led by Dr. Beth Davis. They also visited the Biosecurity Research Institute and the animal facilities at the K-State Research Unit.

“The OIE Veterinary Education Twinning Project is a mutually beneficial ‘smart partnership,’” said Dr. Tesfaalem Sebhatu, senior research analyst, who helps coordinate the program at K-State. “It would be keen to find a way to develop complementarity and synergy with the OIE twinning project in Tanzania and build on what has already been initiated through this project and address the needs identified to promote veterinary education, student/faculty exchanges and research collaboration.”

Dr. Aoeli Chen expresses thanks to Kansas State University for her pre-veterinary education prior to earning her DVM this year at a partnering institution: the University of Minnesota.

The homecoming event included reports from 21 of the students who just finished their pre-veterinary year at K-State and/or are currently working on their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at K-State, the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University or the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Chen knows graduating is just the tip of the iceberg. She looks forward to making a lasting impact in her home country.

"Veterinary school is just the starting point of our career; lifelong learning is the key," Dr. Chen said. "I cannot guarantee that I can affect all the people that I interact with. But, if I can influence them — two of them — and each of them influence another two people, then in a couple years later along the way the number can be exponential."

"Veterinary school is difficult under any circumstances. No one would tell you it is easy," said Dr. Bonnie Rush, interim dean of K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine.

She applauded these students for their courage in becoming a veterinarian in a different culture using a secondary language.

"The program has been a cornerstone for this college's commitment and interest in making a difference to the world by having a global program," Dr. Rush said. "We are proud of the students that we send back to China to improve animal and human health in their country."

Dr. Peggy Schmidt, associate dean for academic programs and student affairs at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, shared how excited she is to see members of the program grow as educators.

"You will be taking a role in academia, which will be a very special role as a veterinarian," Dr. Schmidt said. "We are used to taking care of our patients and clients, but you will also have the opportunity to take care of the future generations of veterinarians. The veterinarian students will come to your door and place their little veterinary heart in your hand and say, 'Nurture me, take care of me,' and that's also a pretty special role."

The program is sponsored by Kansas State University, the China Scholarship Council, Zoetis/International Veterinary Collaboration for China, the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association and Banfield Pet Hospital. Since its establishment in 2012, the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health has guided the program through partnerships with the governments, universities and animal health industry in the U.S. and China.

"I think the stories we heard today from the students, and those who have even graduated, yet prove that they are deserving to be here," said Dr. Alex Ramirez, interim assistant dean of academic and student affairs at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "We take pride in those students that come into our institution, but really, as a veterinary professional, we are proud of all – not only those who are in our school but also those who will be representing our profession in the future."

"The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota continues to be a strong supporter of this program and we're grateful of all the supporters that help, including the Chinese Scholarship Council, that make this possible," said Dr. Trevor Ames, dean of Minnesota's veterinary college.

The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia is a new partner to the program and will be welcoming Xinyi Xu in the fall. Dr. Scott Brown, associate dean of academic affairs, served as Georgia's representative at this year's homecoming.

"We are honored and excited to be a part of this program for the first time," Dr. Brown said. "It is a program that expands our horizons — allowing us access to exceptional international students who want to come to the U.S. to further their career and gain important perspective on how the veterinary profession can impact animal and public health in both countries. We look forward to welcoming our first student in August and being part of her journey."

The first program graduates, Drs. Yi Ding and Yaoqin Shen, now have a year of teaching as associate professors at Huazhong Agricultural University in China after earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota and K-State, respectively, in 2017. They have used the U.S. clinical rotation model to launch the Excellent Clinician Training Program at Huazhong Agricultural University.

"We divide students into groups and let them do rotations in each department," Dr. Ding said. "Our college thinks the program is important. Before, we would just get experience in research labs — so we wouldn't get that much practical experience. Each month we give lectures on topics that we learned here in the U.S. Not only do the students in the training program attend, but also other students who are interested in clinical veterinary medicine."

A leadership seminar was incorporated into the event, as one of the program's missions is to train future leaders in the veterinary education and the profession in China. Dr. Daniel Aja, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Banfield and Dr. Ames offered advice and words of wisdom about what they have learned along the way.

As the ceremony concluded, Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health expressed his gratitude for those who traveled a long way to attend the homecoming event, as well as the students.

"From your presentations, I can say, just like every speaker here, we are all very proud of you," Dr. Shi said. "You're making the difference in the class room. The alumni have already set up partnership with universities in the U.S. and China. That's really what the program is supposed to be about, so thank you for the hard work you do."

Students join the VIPs for a group photo at the annual homecoming ceremony for the US-China Joint DVM Program.

The five-striped palm squirrel is native to India, but can become a feral invasive species through illegal pet trade. In this research project, Dr. Eshar is testing an injectable anesthesia protocol for these squirrels supported by a Department of Clinical Sciences research grant.

“This is part of the historical collaboration I have with the Jerusalem zoo,” said Dr. Eshar. “This is a great opportunity for Israeli Zoo vets and students to take part in zoo related research. I enjoy mentoring promising individuals.”

“Research proposals submitted to the Department of Clinical Sciences are intended to help facilitate clinical sciences faculty complete small-scale research projects,” said Dr. Elizabeth Davis, professor and department head of clinical sciences. “These projects are intended to be pilot level (preliminary data) for larger projects or small projects that can help faculty obtain data that can contribute to their publication success.”

“The current work being completed by Dr. Eshar and colleagues provides an example of a valuable study for a unique population of animals that would otherwise be challenging to successfully fund. He is likely to obtain data that can improve understanding about the physiology of this population that will be disseminated to other exotics clinicians that work in this field through publication in the peer reviewed veterinary literature.”

The Jerusalem Zoo is opening a new exhibit soon for the squirrel species. Dr. Eshar said this is an invasive species under strict control by the Israeli national wildlife authorities. The research will allow zoo officials to educate the public on the dangers of invasive species.

“This squirrel species is a huge problem in Australia,” Dr. Eshar explained. “For me as a zoo medicine specialist, this is a great opportunity to perform research and generate novel clinical knowledge in an uncommon species.”

Dr. Eshar will return to K-State to resume his regular teaching duties in the fall.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive this opportunity to advocate for an industry that has informed my personal development, education and career,” said AshLee. “Building on my agricultural economics and philosophy background, I am now studying beef industry sustainability in terms of system dynamics. More specifically, our team is exploring how production practices affect the interactions and tradeoffs between social, environmental and economic factors.”

Ashlee is one of 12 scholars selected from across the country. Scholars will travel to Kansas City, Missouri, in September for the 119^th American Royal to participate in tours, PRCA Rodeo and other American Royal events.

Being chosen as a Seaboard American Royal scholar is just one of the many accomplishments AshLee can add to her decorated career. She is the former Miss Teen Rodeo New York, a Pennsylvania state bench press record title holder, a certified equine sports message therapist and has been barrel racing since she was 9.

“Besides loving rodeo and fast horses as a little girl, I fell in love with the barrel racing because it is the purest combination of team work, athleticism, power and grace all expressed in a matter of seconds,” said AshLee. “The only competition is the clock and your last run. Being Miss Teen Rodeo New York I entailed a lot of agriculture/rodeo sport advocacy and education as well.”

AshLee is a graduate research assistant at the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI). She works under Dr. Brad White, director of the BCI, and Dr. Bob Larson, professor in clinical studies. Her research focuses on value generation and supply chain management with an emphasis on sustainability. Her studies seek to further understand beef production terms of land use, ethics, business and economics.

“My animal welfare project is aimed at facilitating information flow throughout supply chains,” AshLee explained. “The goal of my environmental economics project is to establish market-based, sustainable production incentives. This scholarship greatly enhances my ability to perform thorough and applicable research by helping me participate in these educational experiences and engage with appropriate stakeholders for our projects.”

AshLee participates in a barrel-racing competition: "Besides loving rodeo and fast horses as a little girl, I fell in love with the barrel racing because it is the purest combination of team work, athleticism, power and grace all expressed in a matter of seconds," she said.

This summer's TAD Fellows consist of MaRyka Smith, Amy Lyons, Christian Cook, Hannah White, Jeana Owens and Dr. Matthew Olcha. In the top photo, the group practice putting on PPEs as a training exercise.