BVA Supports Veterinary Students On Overseas Projects

The BVA travel scholarship scheme, instituted in March 1983, awards grants annually to veterinary students to enable them to undertake projects in developing countries. From a large number of high calibre applications the 2009 student travel grants were awarded to:

• Abi Collinson (RVC) for a feasibility study for provision of community based animal healthcare system in Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India;
• Holly Marsh (Cambridge) to study the role of Borana women in transmission and prevention of mastitis in Borana cattle, Ethiopia;
• Ashley Morgan (Glasgow) to study the health and welfare status of domestic cats in the Serengeti, Tanzania; and
• Alexander Torrance (Cambridge) to investigate the relationship between immunosuppression, ectoparasite burden and the occurrence of patchy alopecia in the Straw Coloured Fruit Bat in Tanzania.

They each received £500 towards their projects. Continued collaboration and support from TAWS (the World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies) came in the form of additional travel grants awarded to India Martin (Cambridge) and Claire Okell (Liverpool) to work on health and welfare projects involving working equids in Egypt and Ethiopia respectively. The Donkey Sanctuary was again inspired to link up with the Overseas Group by providing an opportunity for Lisa Lin (Glasgow) to work on a humane education programme in Ethiopia. Impressed by the high standard and variety of applications received this year, Karen Reed, chairman of the BVA Overseas Group, commented: “In a world where over one billion people depend on animals for their livelihood, the veterinary profession’s role in global animal and public health is becoming increasingly significant in the face of challenges brought about by emerging diseases, climate change and sustainable development. The Overseas Group is heartened by the considerable interest from veterinary students wishing to work in developing countries: it gives them a chance to develop and adapt their clinical skills, gain invaluable experience in dealing with exotic diseases and – perhaps even more importantly – to develop the beneficial life skills of communication, adaptability and open-mindedness”.

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