U.S.-China Joint DVM Program hosts 12th annual homecoming event
The newest graduates in Kansas State University’s US-China Joint DVM Program were joined June 11 and 12 for a homecoming event by a large group of current veterinary students at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Together, they provided updates on their respective academic progress toward the completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, either at K-State or at one of three partnering veterinary colleges.
This year the program celebrated its tenth graduating class and featured five graduates, 13 current DVM students and two preveterinary students who each gave a report.
For each graduating class year, there are typically four to six Chinese students who enroll at the K-State campus to complete one year of pre-veterinary studies so they can be acclimated to studying in the United States. Afterwards, the students may apply to study for their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at either K-State or at the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, and University of Missouri.
The graduates in May 2026 are: Dr. Danqin Li and Qi Zhang from Kansas State University; Dr. Yifan Chen, from the University of Minnesota; Dr, Chuhan Wang from the University of Missouri; and Dr. Jinnan Xiao from Iowa State University. The Chinese graduates in the U.S.-China Joint DVM program will go back to China as associate professors at top Chinese universities.
“The goal of the US-China Joint DVM Program is to train the trainers of Chinese veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Jishu Shi, professor and director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. “This is truly an example of training the future leaders when they go back to China — some of these participants are already leaders.”
The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health provides scholarships to cover the first year of pre-veterinary tuition and five years of student activities through funding from Zoetis Foundation, Yebio Bioengineering and Banfield Pet Hospital. The China Scholarship Council supports four years of DVM tuition and living stipends for five years.
The rest of the guest list included deans from each of the schools, plus some special guests. Representatives attended from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Laura Molsgaard, dean; Iowa State University, Dr. Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine; and University of Missouri, Dr. Srinand Sreevatsan, dean. Dr. Jim Weisman, chief of academic affairs, research and accreditation with the American Veterinary Medical Association gave remarks via teleconferencing. K-Staten was represented Dr. Elizabeth Davis, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Robert Goodband, University Distinguished Professor/agricultural extension specialist (who is retiring this year), Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the US-China Center for Animal Health and Dr, Lei Wang, program manager for the US-Center for Animal Health. Dr. Grant Chapman, associate provost, was unable to attend and provided a recorded greeting for the event.
"The accomplishments of these students are made more remarkable that they have achieved a doctorate degree while studying and practicing in their non-native language, and that this program develops both knowledge and skills within the medical animal health field," Chapman said. "Our many partners make this program a success today."
"Veterinary medicine is a global profession," Dr. Weisman said. "Animals are important. Worldwide animal diseases, in general, don't respect boundaries. And the world is becoming more and more international, so that's why it's so important have this program that focuses on providing the highest standards of veterinary education the students in the US-China Joint DVM Program. The AVMA hopes to strengthen its ongoing relationship with the Chinese veterinary profession so that we may continue to work together on issues of importance to all of us."
Minnesota Dean Dr. Molsgaard gave a leadership seminar on the second day of the homecoming event.
