American University of Antigua to Open New Veterinary School

Signs Student Transfer Agreement with Virginia Tech for Clinical Phase

Business Wire

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The American University of Antigua today announced the formation of a new school for the study of veterinary medicine at its University Park campus on the Island of Antigua, West Indies. In addition, AUA signed an agreement today with Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine to provide transfer opportunities for qualified AUA veterinary medical students.

“There are only 28 accredited veterinary colleges in the United States. We decided to establish the AUA School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences after talking with Virginia Tech,” said Neal Simon, AUA’s president and co-founder, at a press briefing in New York City. “By teaming with Virginia Tech, one of the best veterinary colleges in the country, AUA has established a new model for earning a degree in veterinary medicine.”

“In five short years, AUA has proven its ability to educate both medical doctors and nurses. Its desire to expand into preparing future veterinarians for their clinical phase at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine creates another avenue for us to attract qualified students and we welcome it,” said Gerhardt G. Schurig, dean of veterinary medicine at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

In January 2010, newly matriculated freshman students at AUA’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will be able to enroll in dual programs that enable them to obtain a master’s degree in biomedical sciences or veterinary public health in addition to the completion of the preclinical sciences program.

In most colleges of veterinary medicine, the professional program comprises two phases. During the first phase, preclinical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and microbiology are emphasized. Most of the students’ time is spent in classroom and laboratory study. This phase will be the cornerstone of the AUA veterinary program.

The second phase of professional study is principally clinical. Students learn the principles of medicine and surgery in the classroom and through hands-on clinical experience.

Students learn to apply their knowledge in a clinical setting under the supervision of graduate veterinarians on the faculty. In the clinics, students treat animals, perform surgical procedures, and learn to interact with clients who use the school’s clinical services. This phase will be available to AUA students who transfer into Virginia Tech’s veterinary program.

“These transfer students become Virginia Tech students and once they complete their clinicals through VT’s program and hospital, they graduate with a degree in veterinary medicine from Virginia Tech,” explained Simon.

“The World Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations have recently recommended that veterinary schools should play a pivotal role in the concept of one medicine by the establishment of strong biomedical sciences which should form the link between human medicine and veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Olusegun Dipeolu, AUA’s professor of microbiology and director of the center for tropical diseases and international travel medicine.

“The proximity of human and veterinary medicine at AUA presents a great opportunity to demonstrate the concept of ‘one medicine’ through the establishment of a strong biomedical component in the veterinary school that will liaise closely with AUA’s College of Medicine in multidisciplinary teaching and research,” said Dr. Peter Bell, AUA’s vice president of academic affairs and executive dean of the Antigua campus. “This has put AUA a step ahead of the other Caribbean-based international veterinary schools – and many of the U.S.-based veterinary schools.”

“The American University of Antigua has already made significant contributions to the islands of Antigua and Barbuda since opening its doors in January 2004,” said Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Winston Baldwin Spencer. “This new school and its relationship with Virginia Tech elevate Antigua as a premier provider of healthcare education for the Caribbean and the U.S.”

About The American University of Antigua

The American University of Antigua offers medical and nursing programs designed to make sure students meet the requirements of medical and nursing licensure in the United States and achieve passing scores on the U.S. Medical Licensing Examinations. A group of renowned American physicians and medical education professionals chartered the university to address the shortage of healthcare professionals faced by the United States. Students who wish to learn more about the AUA School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences should visit www.auamed.org/vet_school_request.

About Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Founded by the Virginia General Assembly in 1978, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine is a regional professional school built upon the strong foundations of two of the nation's leading land-grant universities: Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and the University of Maryland at College Park. The College operates on three campuses, including the main campus installation at Virginia Tech, the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center at College Park and the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg.

VMRCVM offers comprehensive educational programs, provides advanced clinical care for clients throughout the region, and conducts a variety of animal and biomedical research programs.

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