Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prof GE Swan, Dean
Telephone number: 012 529 8239
Fax number: 012 529 8304
E-mail address: gerry.swan@up.ac.za
Message from the Dean
Early in 2006 the top management of the faculty met for a “bosberaad” where a new faculty plan was developed for the four years until 2009. Some of the important decisions related to its research effort were the following:
- To make postgraduate training one of the primary thrusts in the next 4 years.
- To make research another primary thrust, aiming to stimulate and focus research on unique problems, which will give us a leading edge.
- To review our research focus areas in order to achieve this objective.
- To strengthen the existing relationships with the Universities of Utrecht, Oslo and California (Davis) and to develop further collaborations, both national and international.
Success with the first objective is reflected by the fact that the number of postgraduate bursaries allocated during the year increased almost tenfold.
The faculty has identified the following five research niche areas (RNAs):
- Molecular studies on infectious and parasitic diseases of animals
A research focus utilizing biotechnology for the development of improved diagnostic techniques and vaccines for animal diseases and for the study of their pathogenesis.
- Phytomedicine and ethno-veterinary medicine
An established multidisciplinary and collaborative research programme focusing on the development of extracts from plants with antimicrobial or antiparasitic activity for use in animal production.
- Wildlife and Environmental Health
An inclusive research focus with contributions from all five departments of the faculty, including studies on tuberculosis in buffalo, immune-contraception in elephants, theileriosis in roan and sable, toxicity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in vultures and endocrine disruptors in the environment.
- Veterinary aspects of food safety and food security
An established research focus of the faculty, which includes, inter alia, programmes in veterinary public health, community development, epidemiology and risk assessment and poultry health.
- Equine and companion animal health and welfare
A research focus on infectious and other diseases of horses and other companion animals with an important impact on trade and sports medicine (racing industry) or on the welfare and management of these animals.
The first two are being supported within the NRF Institutional Research Development Programme meaning that projects within these niche areas will qualify for support for a 5-year period from 2007-2011. For 2007 an allocation of R1 million has already been approved for six projects within them. The first of the niche areas is also being considered for a DST Research Chair.
Last but not least, the faculty hosted an accreditation visitation by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) during the year. The SAVC is the custodian of the veterinary and para-veterinary professions in South Africa and has the legal responsibility to ensure that training standards for registration are met.
The outcome of the visitation was positive although several constructive suggestions for improvements were made, inter alia greater exposure of undergraduate students to research activities. Implementation of this proposal should help solve the faculty’s perennial problem of attracting more postgraduate students.
Prof GE Swan
Dean
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