Improving the EDUcation of VETerinary assistants in Africa
through international cooperations
ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CB-VET
101183376
BACKGROUND
Veterinary education is a critical area of need for the development in the 4 African partner countries: Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. Sub-Saharan countries face high unemployment rates, particularly for young people. However, the veterinary profession is so important (as is the prominent role of the agricultural sector in all four countries), that the freshly graduating veterinary assistants can easily find jobs. The most important development needed for the profession is to increase the practical, up-to-date knowledge, state-of-the-art methods of students and teachers, so that they are better prepared to carry out their duties. Veterinary technicians play a crucial role in supporting veterinarians in the care of animals and ensuring the smooth operation of a veterinary hospital. As graduated veterinary assistants live close to the farmers in villages in Africa, they play a crucial role in health disease control (and One Health Disease Approach as well).
Despite their importance, veterinary education in these countries faces challenges. Many training programmes lack sufficient hands-on experience, and both students and teachers need access to modern tools, techniques, and up-to-date knowledge to provide the best care. The general objective of the project is to support through lifelong learning the educational, professional and personal development of involved people in the field of veterinary assistant vocational training.
The EDUVETerinary project will be an efficient strategic cooperation between European and African institutions working on different fields of vocational education. The project’s partner organisations will promote and enhance cooperation, quality, inclusion, equality, excellence, creativity and innovation in the field of veterinary education by using non-formal and informal learning methods. The aim is to support the relevance, accessibility, and responsiveness of African VET institutions, as a driver of sustainable socio-economic development.
GOALS
The EDUVETerinary project focuses on building the capacity of vocational education and training (VET) providers, ensuring that schools, teachers, and students are well-equipped to meet the demands of the veterinary sector. This includes improving management, governance, and teaching quality, as well as fostering stronger collaboration with businesses, farmers, and industry leaders to create job opportunities and develop practical, hands-on training programmes.
Objectives the project:
- Strengthen veterinary assistant’s VET in Sub-Saharan region by establishing and maintaining multilateral partnerships, thus contribute to the implementation of the respective Multi-annual Indicative Programmes and EU-Africa Gateway Investment Packages.
- Promote work-based, practical learning among participants, enhance up-to-date professional knowledge, state-of-the-art methods, key competences of students and teachers, so that they are better prepared and motivated to carry out their duties.
- Update and align the participating VET providers’ training programs with animal health legislations, regulations and protocols, with relevant regional, national, and international livestock policies, thus reinforce their capacities.
The livestock sector is a key economic pillar in these countries, and improving veterinary education directly supports poverty reduction, food security, and sustainable economic growth. By bringing together four African and three European partners, the project creates a collaborative network that strengthens veterinary education across seven countries, combining African expertise in vocational training with European experience in educational innovation and veterinary science.
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES
8 Local boot camps
Each of the African partners will organize 2 intensive training programs for students and teachers with the help of trainers from the EU.
Advanced training in Botswana
The boot camp’s participants will take part in the joint advance training course in Botswana, in the topic which focuses on the needs of the participating countries.
Study visit in the EU
African trainers will visit Europe for a 10-day immersive learning experience to explore top veterinary practices and innovative education methods.
Mission in Tanzania
European experts will conduct an intensive workshop in Tanzania to enhance TVET institutions’ capacities. The focus will be on curriculum modernisation, governance, and effective training delivery.
Job shadowing in Belgium
African veterinary educators will train in Belgium, gaining insights into modern veterinary practices.
4 Local workshops in Africa
At the end of the project each African partner will organise an intensive hands-on experiences for teachers, local stakeholders and an effective networking opportunity with relevant professional institutions
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.