The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences (UGSVS) at Gifu University
is a multi-institutional alliance consisting of four universities (Gifu
University, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine,
Iwate University, and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology) and
four research institutions (National Institute of Infectious Diseases,
National Institute of Health Sciences, National Institute of Animal Health,
and JRA Equine Research Institute). Led by 126 faculty members, the UGSVS
program offers a Ph.D. degree in Veterinary Medicine. Its primary emphasis
is on contributing to the development of relevant science and the larger
social good by training outstanding veterinary scientists and professionals
who will play leading roles in a broad array of areas by means of advanced
skills and innovative thinking.
Our unique core requirements include Veterinary Special Lectures in Veterinary Medicine and a Veterinary Special Lecture in related research fields for Interdisciplinary Studies. All first-year students are required to attend Veterinary Special Lectures in Veterinary Medicine, which covers the importance of ethical conduct in veterinary research and basic skills in scientific presentation and writing. The Special Lecture in related research fields for Interdisciplinary Studies is given by faculty members from inside and outside the alliance. UGSVS strives continuously to improve the program by integrating interdisciplinary courses as well as faculty-led dissertation research into the curriculum and by implementing an internal auditing system. With the movement of people, animals, and goods across national borders accelerating, veterinary scientists face a new challenge: the development of international awareness and crisis preparedness in order to respond to problems in relevant areas by taking prompt yet pragmatic action. |
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| Goals |
| The UGSVS program is introducing a new IT system into its curriculum with the aim of fostering a global perspective on the part of doctorate students, thereby facilitating cross-disciplinary communication and international careers. As demonstrated by the recent worldwide epidemics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), there is an increasing need for veterinary professionals to develop crisis management capabilities, an adept and up-to-date understanding of food safety along with associated analytical skills, and clinical skills in increasingly sophisticated medical technologies. Through overseas training, the UGSVS program offers young veterinary researchers opportunities to acquire a problem-seeking and -solving mindset in this age of globalization. |
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| Features |
| Veterinary qualifications that are essential to the world today include in-depth insight into and foresight of possible crises, tenacity in learning, and international readiness. Social demand for veterinary professionals is particularly acute in the areas of infectious diseases, food safety, livestock husbandry and animal health, and advanced companion animal medicine. The UGSVS program offers a practical veterinary education by enhancing courses in scientific English and by maximizing the benefits of collaboration with affiliated university and institutional research facilities. This includes experience in collaborative research in infectious diseases and food safety at universities in Southeast Asia that have been developed as part of the 21st Century Center of Excellence Program (for example, Kasetsart University in Thailand and Gadjah Mada University and Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia). Students may also take training courses at American and European veterinary schools to gain experience in the latest clinical advances. |
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| Curriculum |
By establishing a “Reform Committee for Graduate Education,” UGSVS will undertake a comprehensive review of its curricula and syllabi and bring a new dimension to veterinary education by building strong ties between faculty and students. In Specialized Theory in Veterinary Medicine courses, UGSVS enriches e-learning and distance learning services using available IT and the SINET3 system, an information and communications network linking universities and research institutes throughout Japan.
In addition to current Specialized Theory in Veterinary Medicine courses, new requirements in the UGSVS program include courses in animal welfare and ethics, which are essential for all veterinary scientists, as well as communication courses, which aim to develop an excellent command of scientific English so that the student may benefit from international research information and cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural communications. Furthermore, new Overseas Field Practicum courses have been introduced to the program in order to expose students to the practical application of crisis management through collaborative research experiences at universities in Southeast Asia. In Intensive International Studies, students will be sent to veterinary schools in the U.S. or Europe for clinical training. Veterinary Theory and Practicum courses are offered at the three alliance national institutes specializing in bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), HPAI, and imported food examination to place an emphasis on diseases and food safety management. |
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Courses in scientific English and communication: Scientific English I & II, Scientific Communication I & II |
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Education in animal welfare and ethics: Veterinary Special Lecture in related research fields for Interdisciplinary Studies I & II have been modified to enhance character development and interdisciplinary education. |
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Acquisition of advanced skills and specialization: Veterinary Theory and Practicum has been added to the third-year curriculum. |
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Development of international awareness and advanced skills: Intensive International Studies has been added to the third-year curriculum. |
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Development of crisis preparedness and tenacity in learning: Overseas Field Practicum has been added to the third-year curriculum. |
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| Internationally competitive veterinary specialists as defined by the UGSVS program: |
| By cultivating a broad international perspective and crisis control skills, the program aims to foster: |
| 1） |
Livestock scientists who are capable of responding rapidly to zoonotic threats with a balanced sense of animal welfare |
| 2） |
Veterinary public health specialists who have in-depth, global knowledge in the area of food safety |
| 3） |
Highly-skilled veterinary clinicians with a research-oriented mindset |
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| The Current State of Graduate-level Education |
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