A Snapshot of Veterinary Education Establishments and Veterinary Statutory Bodies in Asia and the Pacific Region: Issues Identified and OIE Activities to Address Them

Abstract

Veterinary education establishments (VEEs) and veterinary statutory bodies (VSBs) play key roles in ensuring the effectiveness of veterinary professionals and delivery of competent national veterinary services (VS). Recognizing the need to address the quality of veterinary education and the role of VSBs for its member countries/territories (Members), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has organized conferences, workshops, and ad hoc groups leading to the development of recommendations and guidelines and the introduction of active programmers on veterinary education. In Asia and the Pacific region, veterinary education and practice as well as regulatory approach among Members vary considerably, and limited information is currently available publicly. In 2018, the OIE organized a workshop for VEEs and VSBs in Asia and the Pacific region, for which participants completed a questionnaire regarding each country’s situation relating to veterinary education, regulations, and professionals. The questionnaire results showed that most Members and Observers (Members/Observers) in Asia had at least one VEE and that the OIE guidelines for VEEs are widely used. Similarly, most Members/Observers in Asia had a VSB or equivalent authority that oversees the quality and competence of veterinarians. Some challenges were also revealed, including variations in the roles, responsibilities, and level of autonomy of VSBs and weak collaboration/coordination among the key in-country/territory stakeholders of veterinary education. The OIE offers Members recommendations and guidelines as well as several programs and activities aiming to strengthen the VS, VEEs, and VSBs, including the evaluation of veterinary services’ performance, the VEE and VSB twinning projects, and conferences and workshops.