Press release

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It is a curious history which saw the birth, in 1836 at Cureghem, in the Brussels region, of the State Veterinary and Agriculture School, which in 1965 became the Cureghem Faculty of Veterinary Medicine before being administratively attached to the ULg in 1969, with the transfer to the Liège Sart Tilman campus taking place in 1991.

Another special situation is that the ULg’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is the only one in the French Speaking Community of Belgium to offer a complete curriculum in veterinary medicine, which increases its responsibilities in terms of teaching, research and services provided to society as a whole.

The coming events organised for the 175^th anniversary are the occasion to present the remarkable strengths of a Faculty grappling with new problematics and considerable issues. In effect, in addition to providing training for the veterinary doctors responsible for animal health, aid to the world of breeders in order to produce quality animals and, more generally, support in order to maintain sustainable farming in our regions, the future of the Faculty will not escape the multiple consequences of globalisation.

‘These consequences are expressed through the concept ‘One World One Health’ whose major stakes are perceived through new emerging diseases (avian flu, E-Coli etc.), demographic growth, climate change, the increasing poverty in certaon of the world’s regions, all elements which we integrate into the thought processes which feed into the training of tomorrow‘s vets,’ explains Professor Pascal Leroy, the Dean of the ULg’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is facing these challenges comforted by its 2010 entrance amongst the Faculties approved by the AEEEVE, the ‘Association Européenne des Etablissements d’Enseignement Vétérinaires.’ The AEEEVE is mandated by the European Commission to verify that the harmonised quality criteria in the education of future vets are respected. With a majority of French students and half of the Faculty’s Belgian graduates leaving to practice their profession abroad, this European recognition for the degree is crucial for their professional future.

The programme of the 175^th anniversary is spread over three days, from Friday October 14 to Sunday 16, and will allow the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s various publics to be targeted.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14. Over 200 work placement training leaders, who play a major role in the education of veterinary students, will meet at the Sart Tilman’s Ampithéâtres de l’Europe (with a lecture entitled ‘The evolution of veterinary medicine over 25 years and the perspectives for the next 25 years’, given by Dr Bernard Van Goethem (Director General of the European Union’s Directorate for Health and Consumer Policy).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15. Seven outstanding figures from the veterinary world will receive ULg Honorary Doctorates at a ceremony held in the morning (10.00) at the Amphithéâtres de l’Europe. Amongst these distinguished personalities we can note the presence of Roch Doliveux, Chief Executive Director and President of the UCB’s executive committee, Dr Bernard Vallat, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health, as well as Dr Gérard Larcher, who up until recently was the President of the French senate. In addition Professors Boly, from Burkina Faso, and Binh, from Vietnam, will receive the university’s medal.

In the afternoon over a 1000 practitioners, including numerous ULg graduates, will rediscover the Faculty before a gala dinner at the Sart Tilman’s Country Hall.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, is reserved for the general public, who are invited to discover the different aspects of a profession which is amongst the most popular. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will open its doors at the Sart Tilman campus from 10.00 to 18.00 and will offer numerous free activities for the whole family.

Beyond visiting the sites where courses are given the Faculty will offer exceptional access to its laboratories and its different clinics: pets, birds, reptiles, horses, ruminants, etc. Veterinary medicine is not restricted to ‘caring for animals.’ It is playing an increasingly more important role in our society, for example in monitoring the quality of foodstuffs or in managing animal resources in the countries of the South. This day will be the occasion to meet researchers who will be able to answer questions about their work and the high-tech equipment they use daily.

Less well known aspects of the ‘human-animal’ relationship will be presented, such as the socialisation of children through horses (hippotherapy) or the experience of being blindfolded and led by a guide-dog.

Walks on the back of ponies and horses, a mini-farm for children, blacksmithing, demonstration of horse rescuing by the Charleroi fire brigade, etc., will animate the byways of the Faculty’s site throughout the day, which should delight and satisfy the curiosity of young and old alike.

More info on the 175th anniversary of the ULg’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

See also:

• Consult the programme of activities for the Open Day for the general public on Sunday, October 16
• Biographical notices of the people awarded Honorary Doctorates on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the ULg’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine yesterday and today – press file