KVASU signs MoU with UAE university for veterinary education, research

The administrative block of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) at Pookode in Wayanad has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAE-based Gulf Medical University (GMU) to promote collaboration in veterinary education and research through its Thumbay College of Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).

The agreement envisages student and faculty exchanges, clinical training, internships, veterinary shadowing programmes and summer elective placements. Students from both institutions will have opportunities to undergo clinical training and internships at their respective clinics and hospitals, subject to institutional capacity and academic requirements.

The two institutions will also explore collaborative research programmes through the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine. The MoU provides for faculty exchanges for teaching, research and healthcare management, besides joint continuing veterinary education programmes, workshops and conferences in areas of mutual interest.

Another component of the agreement is the possibility of KVASU faculty members who meet GMU’s eligibility criteria being granted adjunct faculty status at TCVM. Such appointments will be formalised through separate agreements.

The collaboration will be guided by the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnected health of humans, animals and ecosystems. A coordination committee comprising one representative from each institution will be constituted to oversee the collaboration. The committee would submit reports on joint activities every six months.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Manda Venkataramana, Chancellor of GMU, and Dr. Sabin George, Registrar of KVASU.

Officials said the MoU would remain in force for five years and might be renewed following a review of the mutual benefits. It does not entail any immediate financial commitment for either institution. The academic and financial implications of individual programmes will be determined through separate agreements.