Training at two US universities

In Japan, the number of companion animals, especially dogs and cats, is now 20 million, and more than 60% of dogs are kept indoors. As dogs and cats age, there is an increasing demand for advanced medical treatment for a variety of illnesses, just as there is for humans. In addition, the recent outbreaks of avian influenza and other emerging infectious diseases have made it increasingly important for veterinary medicine to play a role in food safety. In response to these significant changes in the environment surrounding veterinary medicine, there is a strong need to enhance the education system and build an international network in the veterinary clinical field. With the aim of improving the veterinary education system and environment, the Department of Veterinary Medicine has sought international exchange with veterinary colleges in the United States, where veterinary medical treatment systems are particularly fragmented and specialized. In 1995, we concluded academic exchange agreements with Indiana State Purdue University, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Georgia.

Since then, we have sent around eight fifth-year students to each university's veterinary school for veterinary training during the summer holidays each year. One member of the teaching staff accompanies the students to each university to help them navigate and to get to know the teaching staff at the other school. The training period lasts two weeks and the students, either one or two in number, work under the guidance of their own medical specialists in departments such as dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology and oncology. In addition, one teacher from each university is invited every year to give lectures, talks and seminars. In addition, students from partner universities who wish to undertake veterinary training at the Faculty visit the Towada Campus. To date, more than 500 students have participated in this program, and have left with an international outlook and a desire to play an active role in society. In this way, the Department of Veterinary Medicine and its students and faculty are actively engaged in international exchange activities with veterinary colleges in the United States. The exchange with the University of Georgia will end in March 2020, and the number of universities has been reduced from three to two.