The Royal Veterinary College Wins £3.73 Million To Initiate A New Lifelong Learning Network To Widen Participation In Veterinary Education

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 16 Jun 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Traditionally veterinary education has attracted white middle class students but now a new initiative - spearheaded by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and funded by Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is set to change this by developing new pathways to study for groups who have been under-represented in veterinary education.

The Royal Veterinary College has won £3.73m from HEFCE to develop VETNET LLN, a lifelong learning network, bringing together Universities, land-based colleges and other education and veterinary organisations. VETNET LLN is set to encourage further education students, and animal welfare practitioners, into studying veterinary related subjects at higher education level by creating progression packages with courses and personal development plans.

'Students studying at further education level are often confident in the practical aspects of animal care and welfare, but lack the scientific qualifications to further their development in a veterinary environment,' said Stephen May, Deputy Principal and Vice-Principal Teaching and Learning at the Royal Veterinary College. 'Through VETNET LLN we will ensure that a more diverse group of students progress into higher education, and ultimately contribute to the veterinary team, by creating supplementary courses and offering advice, guidance and information.'

The network will offer 100 additional higher education places to students applying for the 2007 / 8 academic year through VETNET LLN. This number is due to increase as collaborative partnerships become established and more supplementary courses are developed.

VETNET is the only lifelong learning network dedicated to veterinary and animal related sciences in the UK, and one of only two nationwide lifelong learning networks. As VETNET LLN develops it will also extend its learning facilities to encourage people already working in veterinary practice and animal welfare to continue their professional development.

Involvement in VETNET LLN is evidence of the RVC's commitment to widening participation in veterinary education. The RVC's widening participation scheme has been running for more than seven years and includes other initiatives such as the Gateway programme an access course within the BVetMed degree, and running summer schools to encourage GCSE and A Level students from under-privileged areas into veterinary practice and animal science.

VETNET LLN currently encompasses the veterinary schools at Bristol, Liverpool and Cambridge as well as the Royal Veterinary College, a number of Higher Education Institutions including the University of Chester, Nottingham Trent University, Newcastle University and Writtle College and a range of Further Education partners with a significant interest in animal related areas. The network is also supported by the involvement of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Nursing Association and LANTRA, the Sector Skills Council for the land based sector.

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