Veterinarians are always in demand, and especially so with a degree from the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine.
The recognized center of higher veterinary education and science in Belarus is the Vitebsk Academy of Veterinary Medicine. The university confidently maintains its leadership in personnel training, and its graduates are perhaps among the few students who can afford to choose their first place of employment from more than a dozen employer offers for each. We discussed the quality and demand for domestic veterinary education, as well as the academy's prospects, with Rector Nikolai GAVRICHENKO.
— Nikolay Ivanovich, among veterinary universities, the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine occupies a special place. What confirms this?
— The significance of the university is determined by several components. Firstly, the teaching staff. We have 308 teachers, including 180 candidates, 27 doctors of sciences, and 21 professors. Secondly, citations of their works. Among the hundred most cited Belarusian scientists, 17 are teachers of our academy. Thirdly, the material and technical base. Over the 97-year history of the university, ours is the richest. In addition, in recent years, we have significantly updated our equipment. And of course, the pride of any educational institution is its graduates.
94 percent of veterinarians in Belarus graduated from our academy. Many have become heads of clinics and pharmaceutical enterprises. Among those widely known, I will name the chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolay Shershnev, the current head of the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival directorate, Gleb Lapitsky, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Subbotin.
— Along with the quality of education, the prospect of employment is a decisive factor for any applicant. What is the demand for your specialists?
— Our specialists are in demand in farms, meat processing plants, pharmaceutical enterprises, and markets – a wide range. It is enough to cite the following fact. When distributing state-funded students, there are usually 10 to 15 applications per specialist, and for certain specialties – up to 20! The graduate decides which one to choose.
— The next admission campaign is soon. Do graduates of agricultural classes have any advantages?
— Undoubtedly, because these are young people who have made a balanced and conscious decision to connect their future profession with agricultural work. For the past few years of study, they have been responsibly preparing for admission to agricultural specialties, so we will conduct their admission for targeted training through interviews separately from July 20 to 22.
— In late May, the university hosted the first regional forum for agricultural classes. This is an important event for both the students and representatives of the agricultural sector, as evidenced by the high-level participation. What did holding this event give the academy?
— The forum brought together 10th-grade students specializing in agriculture – these are our potential students. They will be enrolling next year, but they have already had the opportunity to get a comprehensive introduction to the university, its facilities, and learn about the specifics of admission and education. An important added benefit is the chance to interact with peers, current students, established specialists, and heads of leading farms, and to see firsthand the significant attention paid to the region's agro-industrial complex by local authorities. The students were able to reaffirm the correctness of their choice.
— What are the general specifics of admission to and studying at the academy?
— When applying to the university, prospective students, provided they submit their documents within the main admission deadlines, can choose between taking tests or an internal examination. As for the academic, then it is certainly important to note the opportunity to receive comprehensive training, including in new areas. For example, last year a program related to non-productive veterinary medicine was opened. It is suitable for those who want to work not in agriculture, but in clinics, dealing with pets and zoo animals. The specialization in cynology also arouses great interest, including from foreign students.
— Priority is also given to training personnel for working with producactive animals…
— Yes, this is precisely what makes our university the most attractive place to study for residents of CIS countries, Europe, and even distant foreign countries. Currently, 185 students from 18 countries are studying at VSAVM: from almost all European countries, CIS countries, Lebanon, Israel, and South America. By the way, after receiving their diplomas in their home countries, they become highly sought-after specialists. In some cases, their salaries are even higher than those of graduates from domestic universities of a similar profile.
— What is the reason for this?
— In many countries, education is usually highly specialized. For example, students study one type of animal or only surgery, parasitology. Our students graduate with a broad range of theoretical knowledge and extensive practical training, which allows them to quickly adapt to production later on. Due to such a foundation, young specialists are in greater demand in the labor market.
— A delegation from the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education recently visited the academy. What is the university's interest?
— This year, we intend to become a member, and within the next few years, to obtain accreditation. This step will allow VSAVM to significantly rise in the global ranking of agricultural institutions, as well as increase interest from foreign students. We were evaluated according to 10 European standards concerning the educational process, practical training, provision of clinics, etc. We received a positive assessment for most of them. Currently, to meet all the requirements, the academy only lacks a 24-hour veterinary training clinic. It is planned to open it in 2022-2023.
— Thank you, Nikolai Ivanovich, for the interview!
Rector Nikolai GAVRICHENKO.
— Nikolay Ivanovich, among veterinary universities, the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine occupies a special place. What confirms this?
— The significance of the university is determined by several components. Firstly, the teaching staff. We have 308 teachers, including 180 candidates, 27 doctors of sciences, and 21 professors. Secondly, citations of their works. Among the hundred most cited Belarusian scientists, 17 are teachers of our academy. Thirdly, the material and technical base. Over the 97-year history of the university, ours is the richest. In addition, in recent years, we have significantly updated our equipment. And of course, the pride of any educational institution is its graduates.
94 percent of veterinarians in Belarus graduated from our academy. Many have become heads of clinics and pharmaceutical enterprises. Among those widely known, I will name the chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolay Shershnev, the current head of the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival directorate, Gleb Lapitsky, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Subbotin.
— Along with the quality of education, the prospect of employment is a decisive factor for any applicant. What is the demand for your specialists?
— Our specialists are in demand in farms, meat processing plants, pharmaceutical enterprises, and markets – a wide range. It is enough to cite the following fact. When distributing state-funded students, there are usually 10 to 15 applications per specialist, and for certain specialties – up to 20! The graduate decides which one to choose.
— The next admission campaign is soon. Do graduates of agricultural classes have any advantages?
— Undoubtedly, because these are young people who have made a balanced and conscious decision to connect their future profession with agricultural work. For the past few years of study, they have been responsibly preparing for admission to agricultural specialties, so we will conduct their admission for targeted training through interviews separately from July 20 to 22.
Classes are conducted at the Department of General, Special, and Operative Surgery by teacher Alexey Karamalaka.
— In late May, the university hosted the first regional forum for agricultural classes. This is an important event for both the students and representatives of the agricultural sector, as evidenced by the high-level participation. What did holding this event give the academy?
— The forum brought together 10th-grade students specializing in agriculture – these are our potential students. They will be enrolling next year, but they have already had the opportunity to get a comprehensive introduction to the university, its facilities, and learn about the specifics of admission and education. An important added benefit is the chance to interact with peers, current students, established specialists, and heads of leading farms, and to see firsthand the significant attention paid to the region's agro-industrial complex by local authorities. The students were able to reaffirm the correctness of their choice.
— What are the general specifics of admission to and studying at the academy?
— When applying to the university, prospective students, provided they submit their documents within the main admission deadlines, can choose between taking tests or an internal examination. As for the academic, then it is certainly important to note the opportunity to receive comprehensive training, including in new areas. For example, last year a program related to non-productive veterinary medicine was opened. It is suitable for those who want to work not in agriculture, but in clinics, dealing with pets and zoo animals. The specialization in cynology also arouses great interest, including from foreign students.
— Priority is also given to training personnel for working with producactive animals…
— Yes, this is precisely what makes our university the most attractive place to study for residents of CIS countries, Europe, and even distant foreign countries. Currently, 185 students from 18 countries are studying at VSAVM: from almost all European countries, CIS countries, Lebanon, Israel, and South America. By the way, after receiving their diplomas in their home countries, they become highly sought-after specialists. In some cases, their salaries are even higher than those of graduates from domestic universities of a similar profile.
At the Department of Clinical Diagnostics, classes are conducted by lecturer Roman Borisik.
— What is the reason for this?
— In many countries, education is usually highly specialized. For example, students study one type of animal or only surgery, parasitology. Our students graduate with a broad range of theoretical knowledge and extensive practical training, which allows them to quickly adapt to production later on. Due to such a foundation, young specialists are in greater demand in the labor market.
— A delegation from the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education recently visited the academy. What is the university's interest?
— This year, we intend to become a member, and within the next few years, to obtain accreditation. This step will allow VSAVM to significantly rise in the global ranking of agricultural institutions, as well as increase interest from foreign students. We were evaluated according to 10 European standards concerning the educational process, practical training, provision of clinics, etc. We received a positive assessment for most of them. Currently, to meet all the requirements, the academy only lacks a 24-hour veterinary training clinic. It is planned to open it in 2022-2023.
— Thank you, Nikolai Ivanovich, for the interview!
BY THE WAY
The leadership of the Vitebsk region pays increased attention to strengthening the image of agricultural professions. A significant innovation that has caused a lot of discussion is the decision to provide additional payments of 1,000 rubles to university and college graduates with zootechnical and veterinary education who come to work in promising farms in the region. Undoubtedly, such a support measure is another major incentive to attract applicants to study at the Vitebsk Veterinary Academy, including through targeted training. It will be possible to assess the degree of its influence on the competition for admission to the university based on the results of the current admission campaign (from July 20 to 28).