A D D R E S S
UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Phone: ++ 385 1 2390111; Fax: ++ 385 1 2441390 E-mail: [email protected]
Dean: Professor Zdenko Makek, DVM, PhD Vice Dean for education: Professor Josip Kos, DVM, PhD Vice Dean for science and international co-operation: Associate Professor Ljiljana Pinter, DVM, PhD Vice Dean for finances: Professor Zdenko Biđin, DVM, PhD, Secretary: Dubravka Bobinac, LL.B
This paper has been written during the period of intensive preparation for introduction of many changes in the process of graduate and postgraduate educational system. Recognising the importance of achieving an international credibility and promoting its identity, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb has applied for the evaluation process by EAEVE. This application was submitted during the period of intensive multilateral collaboration with other faculties and institutions and students' awareness of an importance of being a part of European Community educational system. We do hope that our efforts evident from the following pages of the Self–evaluation Report will result in our becoming a recognised member of EAEVE.
Professor Zdenko Makek, DVM, PhD, Dean
Present Self-evaluation Report was prepared by a special Committee for Preparation of Self-evaluation Report appointed by the Faculty Senate:
Chairlady: Associate Professor Ljiljana Pinter, DVM, PhD
Members: Professor Vesna Gjurčević Kantura, DVM, PhD Professor Josip Kos, DVM, PhD Professor Josip Madić, DVM, PhD Associate Professor Velimir Sušić, DVM, PhD Assistant Professor Ivica Harapin, DVM, PhD Junior Assistant Anamaria Ekert Kabalin, DVM
Edited by: Professor Ivo Karadjole, DVM, PhD
Technical support: Iva Rački
English language editor: Dubravka Vilke Pinter, B.A.
We would like to thank members of the Faculty staff as well as students and all those who have helped us in preparing the Self-evaluation Report.
C O N T E N T S
p a g e
INTRODUCTION
- A short historical review of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of
Zagreb 1
Chapter 1 OBJECTIVES 8
Chapter 2 ORGANISATION 13
Chapter 3 FINANCES 20
Chapter 4 CURRICULUM 27
Chapter 5 TEACHING: QUALITY AND EVALUATION 50
Chapter 6 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT 58
Chapter 7 ANIMALS AND TEACHING MATERIAL OF ANIMAL
ORIGIN 71
Chapter 8 LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES 82
Chapter 9 ADMISSION AND ENROLMENT 89
Chapter 10 ACADEMIC AND SUPPORT STAFF 97
Chapter 11 CONTINUING EDUCATION 103
Chapter 12 POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION 110
Chapter 13 RESEARCH 117
1 Introduction
INTRODUCTION
A SHORT HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB
The first initiative for the foundation of a school of veterinary medicine in Zagreb was given as early as in 1844 by the Croatian-Slavonian Economic Society, founded in 1841. Veterinary service was at the time the domain of doctors, who, after having obtained a degree from the Faculty of Medicine, also completed the studies of veterinary medicine. In 1850 the General Assembly of Doctors of Croatia and Slavonia put forth a proposal for the foundation of a theoretical and practical school for veterinarians. Six years later, in 1856, the districts of Zagreb, Požega, Osijek and Varaždin as well as the municipality of Zagreb sent their representatives to the Regency in Zagreb to seek the foundation of a “veterinary school” in Zagreb. The Ministry in Vienna rejected their request. In 1861 Croatian Parliament asked for the revitalisation the Croatian university. The program that resulted from the initiative also included provisions for the foundation of a “veterinary institute”. Unfortunately, the royal chancellery did not approve the parliamentary initiative. In 1869 the King sanctioned 2 Introduction
the “Legal Act on the Foundation of the University in the State Capitol Zagreb”. According to the Act, the Faculty of Medicine was supposed to “found chairs for obstetrics and veterinary medicine”. In spite of the resolution quoted, the University, which was opened in 1874, did not include the faculties of medicine and veterinary medicine. In 1888 the academic senate of the University of Zagreb submitted a request to Croatian Parliament for the foundation of the Faculty of medicine, which would include “the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases and Veterinary Inspection”. On August 27, 1888 Croatian Parliament passed the “Law on the Organisation of Veterinary Service in the Kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia, proposed by Dr Radoslav Krištof, the first head of the veterinary staff in Croatia. The accompanying regulations were passed on December 20, 1888. This was the first veterinary law in Croatia whose provisions had an impact on the promotion of stockbreeding and provided a basis for the creation of Croatian veterinary service and its development. Furthermore, the law provided separation of veterinary service from health service and its organisation as an independent service. The law also provided financial resources for the foundation of the school of veterinary medicine. Croatian veterinarians gradually realised that the education in veterinary medicine had better opportunities of development as an independent branch of public education. Consequently, demands for the foundation of a professional school of veterinary medicine began to be voiced even in the daily press. After the disintegration of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy in 1918, the School of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna expelled all its Slavic students. Such an action only added urgency to requests of Croatian veterinarians. Led by the headmaster of the State Furriers' School, Eugen Podaubsky, a group of veterinarians submitted a proposal for the foundation of Croatian school of veterinary medicine in Zagreb. Podaubsky drafted the proposal for the foundation of the school of veterinary medicine and submitted it to the Board of the Croatian-Slavonian Veterinary Society at the meeting held on November 25, 1918. The proposal was then forwarded to the General Assembly of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, with the seat in Zagreb, which had at the time taken over the functions of the Croatian government. After the General Assembly received the proposal, the Board entrusted veterinarian Stjepan Plasaj with the writing of the “Draft of the Legal Basis for the Foundation of the School of Veterinary Medicine in the State of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes”. The Board discussed the draft on the board meeting of December 15, 1918. The draft was accepted on the main annual meeting, after which it was submitted to the Committee of Education and Religion for the final decision. The 3 Introduction
Croatian-Slavonian Veterinary Society appointed on December 21, 1918 E Podaubsky, Dr F Gabrek and S Plasaj as representatives of the Society to the government in the matter of the foundation of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb. The General Assembly returned the Draft of the Legal Basis for the Foundation of the School of Veterinary Medicine to the chairman of the Society on February 12, 1919. The Croatian-Slavonian government made several corrections in the draft, which was in its corrected form again discussed by the Board on February 25, 1919. The draft was subsequently re-submitted to the government. Regent Alexander signed on August 31, 1919 the “Decree” which until further notice legally regulated the foundation of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb. The decree was published in the issue of September 11, 1919 of the Official Paper of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Among the most important parts of the decree was article 50, which set the opening of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb for the year 1919, and defined employment requirements for the faculty. On the basis of the decree, which provided for the foundation of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb (August 31, 1919), a draft of the order which regulated educational basics and the administration of state examinations at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb was prepared. New school adhered to the draft until the Division of Education and Religion of the Regional government of Croatia and Slavonia issued an order, which temporarily regulated the system of degrees, so-called educational basics, as well as the examination requirements for state and strict examinations. Educational basics included a short outline of the programme of obligatory and optional disciplines, as well as regulations on state examinations. They also defined the extent of the literature required for each course of the veterinary studies and included the text of the oath to be given by veterinarians before they received their diplomas. Furthermore they included the text of the diploma written in Croatian language, as well as the requirements for the doctoral degree. On the basis of the new university law, which provided transformation of high schools into faculties, the Board of Teachers of the High School of Veterinary Medicine sent on April 1, 1921 a letter to the Minister of Education proposing the School's transformation into independent Veterinary Faculty of the University of Zagreb and asking for teachers to be appointed university professors. On December 12, 1924, after numerous debates, King Alexander finally decreed that School be transformed into the Veterinary Faculty. By the second decree of May 8, 1925 Prof E Podaubsky, Prof P Gjurić and Prof M Rajčević were named provosts. After 4 Introduction
the election of the dean E Podaubsky, the associate dean M Rajčević had been confirmed and the first meeting of the professors of the Veterinary Faculty was held on May 16, 1925. The meeting resulted in the decision that the former teachers at the High School of Veterinary Medicine be appointed full professors of the newly founded Faculty. As already mentioned, the Law on the Organisation of Veterinary Service in the Kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia of August 27, 1888, and the Instructions for the Implementation of the above - mentioned Law, of December 20, 1888, provided for the creation of the Veterinary Foundation of the Kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia, which served for various veterinary purposes. The Foundation was created in order to provide funds for the construction and maintenance of the building of School of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb. Following the decree of the Vice – Roy, the Foundation for the veterinary facilities were set up. In 1918, by a decision of the presidium of the Croatian- Slavonian-Dalmatian Government, this foundation merged with the Veterinary Foundation. The assets of the two foundations furnished the funding necessary for the construction of the building of the School of Veterinary Medicine. In 1925, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resource Management ordered that all the property of the Veterinary Foundation be transported to Belgrade. From the beginning, the transported property was used inadequately. The Veterinary Faculty filed a request for the return of the Foundation's property with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resource Management. The request pointed out the need that the property should be used for its original purpose. After several years of bureaucratic disputes, all movable and immovable property of the former Veterinary Foundation was returned to the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb, as provided for by the Law on the State Administration. The Foundation was created again as the Foundation of the Veterinary Faculty of the University of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in Zagreb. The Milan Vaniček Foundation, created in 1929 through a donation to the Faculty, was also of great importance in the development of the Veterinary Faculty. The Milan Vaniček Foundation was included into the State Veterinary Foundation and from that moment it existed as the Foundation of the Veterinary Faculty. The period that followed was marked by disagreements between the Croatian and Yugoslav groups of professors. The intention of the Yugoslav group was to move the Faculty to Belgrade. This was certainly the most difficult period in the entire history of the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb. In 1932 the Croatian group finally prevailed and the working conditions at the Faculty were gradually stabilised. In 5 Introduction
1931 a particularly important event in the history of the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb took place, as the professional publication “Veterinarski arhiv” (Veterinary Archive) was founded. "Archive", was the first professional veterinary publication on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. (It is still being published.) In 1935 the Ministry of Education issued a Regulation on the Veterinary Faculties of the Universities of Belgrade and Zagreb. The regulation concerned both faculties and defined their tasks, listed the chairs and the respective departments, and regulated the duration of the studies (5 years). Although former Yugoslavia was an agricultural country with peasants being the majority, and a rather poor industry, socialist ideas were widely accepted among the members of the intellectual circles. The Veterinary Faculty employed a number of leftist intellectuals, who continued their work even during the Independent State of Croatia. In the period following 1945 the reorganisation of the Faculty was carried out. The system of yearly examinations was gradually introduced. The construction of the facilities of the Faculty continued in spite of the financial difficulties. In the fall of 1947 the Committee for Schools and Sciences of the Government of the People's Federative Republic of Yugoslavia passed the Regulation on the Curriculum and the Duration of the Studies at Veterinary Faculties. Duration of the studies was five years with the two months required practice. The curricula of veterinary faculties were provided by the ministries of education of the respective people's republics. Much attention was given to veterinary clinics, particularly to their organisation and instructional function. The Mobile Clinic was created, the functioning of which was based on house calls made by a group of specialists consisting of a gynecologist, an internist, a surgeon and an epizootiologist. The Mobile Clinic also organised courses and the specialisation for the practicing veterinarians. In 1954, the Executive Committee of the Parliament issued the Order on the Organisation of the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Zagreb. The development of research was furthered by the former Yugoslav Academy of Arts and Sciences, which created the Section of Veterinary Science within the Division of Natural and Medical Sciences in 1949. The members of the Section of Veterinary Science carried out numerous studies, whose results were reported in the Annals of the Yugoslav Academy, as well as in other professional publications.
6 Introduction
After the World War II the cooperation with veterinary service gained in importance. The joined efforts resulted in courses organised by several institutes or clinics. Organising Assembly of April 3-5, 1948, Croatian veterinarians founded their first veterinary society (Society of veterinarians and veterinary technicians of the People s Republic of Croatia). After being reorganised several times, in 1963 the Society was renamed into the Association of the Societies of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians of the Socialist Republic of Croatia. In 1965, the institutes located in the Faculty building, in which scientific research was performed were integrated into the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Animal Production. Besides carrying out its own research, the Institute also coordinated scientific research carried out at the Veterinary faculty and secured the necessary funds. At the same time, the changes in the Curriculum were introduced to enable the future veterinarians to get adequate training both in the field of modern animal breeding and production of fooodstufs of animal origin. The courses were held on the control of reproduction in cattle breeding and intensive poultry farming as well. In 1960, the postgraduate studies were set up. In 1964, the Faculty s new premises were completed, by which the necessary preconditions for the higher quality teaching and research were met. Some additional changes in the Curriculum were introduced in 1965, and in 1984, the new Curriculum was introduced by which core and elective subjects were determined. In 1982 students club was opened as well as the cafeteria. In accordance with the Higher Education Law, in 1982, some changes in the Faculty management were introduced. Therefore, in 1983, the Faculty was managed by the Workers council and the Dean. This type of management was valid until 1988, when the director s post was introduced. However, this concept was changed a year later in accordance to the amendments on the Higher Education Law from 1989. Following the legistalative acts and the decision of the Faculty Council of the same year, the function of the Dean was introduced as well as the two posts of the vice-deans (for scientific research and education and for the finances). In the period following 1990, when Republic of Croatia gained its independence, as a consequence of the political and economic transformations considerabe changes in the educational and research system were introduced. The subjects Marxism and socialism, 7 Introduction
as well as Military training were excluded from the Curriculum, and new subjects were inroduced. On February, 28, 1992 the Association of the Veterinarians and Veterinary technicians Societies of the Socialist Republic of Croatia was transformed into the Croatian Veterinary Chamber. On May, 23, 1992, the Chamber became a regular member of the World Veterinary Society. In 1993 educational reform at the University was initiated. After some partial changes that were introduced in 1994, work on devising the new Cuririculum began. From 1993/4 until 1997/8 the studies were organised in accordance with the transitional curriculum. This curriculum brought some improvements, (a decreased number of theoretical classes, an increased number of practical classes, elective subjects), but still, the newly imposed standards were not met. After the completion of the studies the students acquired the title of a graduated veterinarian. In 1996, in accordance with the Law on Higher Education and the Law on Research, the new Curriculum was introduced. Following the criteria set by the University, and those of the National Council for the Higher Education and Senate, of September, 17, 1996, the decision to start implementing the new Veterinary faculty curriculum was brought (at first, for the 1st year students and later on for the students of the subsequent years of study). Summarising the Faculty results during its 83 years of existence, it is evident that this institution has played an important role not only in the development of Croatian stock- breeding, animal and public health protection, but also as a predecessor of other veterinary faculties in this part of Europe.
Professor Vesna Vučevac Bajt, DVM, PhD
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Chapter 1 OBJECTIVES
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
The curriculum of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has been developed to meet the criteria of the University of Zagreb. The primary objective of the Faculty is to produce professionally qualified doctors of veterinary medicine, DVMs, to work as clinical veterinarians, employees of the State Veterinary Service or in the private sector. The second educational objective is to provide continuing educational opportunities for graduates. The most gifted graduates have the opportunity to continue their education by enrolling in the two-year programme leading to the master of science degree (MSc). After obtaining an MSc, qualified candidates can continue their studies to earn a doctorate (PhD). For graduate students, it is also possible to obtain a master’s diploma (specialist) after two years of postgraduate study. The third educational objective is to encourage and provide continuing education opportunities for all graduates. It is obvious that prosperity in the veterinary profession cannot be achieved without lifelong continuing education. Undergraduate studies are divided into theoretical classes in which the basic concepts are taught, seminars in which relevant topics are analysed and practical work. Professional clinical work, an integral part of the curricula at modern European universities, has been introduced into the undergraduate curriculum as well as many new electives. Generally speaking, the aim of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb is to educate future doctors of veterinary medicine in order to safeguard both animals and humans. The curriculum for a DVM, in line with the criteria of the University of Zagreb, also incorporates recommendations from various international professional and faculty associations – European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe.
During undergraduate studies at the Veterinary Faculty, students receive training in the following fields:
1. Primary veterinary medicine,
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2. Veterinary public health, 3. Environment protection, 4. Clinical, field and laboratory diagnostics, 5. Prevention of infectious diseases and zoonoses, 6. Establishing programmes for developing and improving animal breeding and foodstuffs production, 7. Animal welfare, 8. Ethics in veterinary medicine.
The Faculty consists of the following departments, clinics and other units:
1. Department of Biology 2. Department of Physics and Biophysics 3. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 4. Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology 5. Department of Physiology and Radiobiology 6. Department of Animal Nutrition 7. Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic 8. Department of Animal Husbandry 9. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology 10. Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology 11. Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases 12. Department of Pathophysiology 13. Department of Biology and Pathology of Bees and Fish 14. Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostics and Physical Therapy 15. Department of Animal Hygiene, Environment and Ethology 16. Department of Poultry Diseases 17. Department of Hygiene and Technology of Foodstuffs of Animal Origin 18. Department of Humanities in Veterinary Profession: - Chair of Veterinary Economics - Chair of Veterinary Medicine History - Chair of Sociology of Veterinary Profession - Chair of Foreign Languages - Chair of Physical Training
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19. Department of Forensic and Judicial Veterinary Medicine 20. Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology 21. Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic 22. Mobile Clinic 23. Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic 24. Chair of Game Biology, Pathology and Breeding 25. Library 26. Editorial Board of the scientific journal “Veterinarski arhiv” 27. Secretary’s Office
Besides teaching and research, the Veterinary Faculty of Zagreb is authorised to perform the following major activities: - Veterinary public health and environmental protection, - Improving veterinary service by introducing new methods of animal health care, - Clinical and field diagnostics, therapy and the prevention of animal diseases and zoonoses, - Animal section and pathohistological examinations of domestic and other animals for the veterinary service requirements, legal entities and individuals, - Chemical, histological, histochemical, microbiological, serological, parasitological, toxicological, radiological, radiochemical and other types of analyses performed on animals’ organs, blood, serum and secretions, animal feed, products of animal origin and other biological substrates (soil, water, air, etc.) and the accompanying expertise, - Monitoring and professional expertise in the fields of veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and foodstuffs of animal origin, - Research on chemopharmaceutical and immunobiological products for animal treatment, - Promotion of veterinary ethics.
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2. COMMENTS
For many years, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb has successfully fulfilled its veterinary education and research tasks. A total of 6,418 doctors of veterinary medicine, 897 masters of science and 733 doctors of science have been educated in this institution, the programmes and organisation of which have attempted to keep up with contemporary trends in veterinary education and activity. According to unofficial sources, until the 1970s the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb enjoyed the status of a quality and well-organised faculty. However, during the past thirty years, the political and economic system of the former Yugoslavia have not been conducive to the development of the Faculty, so that there was first a slowing down and then a stagnation of overall operations. Reduced investment in education and science in general, as well as politically inspired decisions on the administration and organisation of the Faculty had a negative impact on advancement. This culminated in the late 1980s during the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia. The independence of the Republic of Croatia was followed by a period of warfare, during which numerous circumstances further hindered Faculty development. Nevertheless, during this period a number of significant decisions were made regarding the reorganisation of studies, including a reduction in the number of students and the adoption of a new programme, with the goal of achieving maximum equivalency with other European faculties. Today, under circumstances that remain unfavorable, the Faculty is attempting to win its deserved position in science and education. Progress is very slow and difficult due to a serious reduction in the animal fund, the breakup of farms into small units that are mainly old peasant farms, and constant agricultural reforms with unclear priorities. This is compounded by the generally bad economic situation due to low BDP (US $ 4.627 per capita annually) and high unemployment (22.3%), so that the annual expenditures for education and science are among the lowest in Europe (<1.5% of total BDP). On the other hand, due to dynamic changes in orientation from developed European countries, rapid transformation is expected, although not always according to models adapted to our conditions. Aware of the fact that there is only one faculty of veterinary medicine in the Republic of Croatia, the Faculty staff members are acutely aware of the need for continuing their
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own education and professional training in order to provide students with a solid education. Therefore, we are of the opinion, taking human potential into account, that in the facilities in our possession, under stable economic circumstances, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb should be able to catch up to similar institutions in neighboring developed countries.
3. SUGGESTIONS
Taking into account all the necessary measures in connection with the previously mentioned economic situation, the development and activities of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are closely connected with increasing the livestock fund so that Croatia will be able to meet its own needs for meat and milk. This must be accompanied by a revival of the Croatian village, which requires the creation of market-oriented farms that will be profitable under stable economic conditions. Such farms will require veterinarians trained in modern procedures who will be able to meet the demands of animal care and public health. At the same time, it is necessary to respond to the increasing need for specialised veterinarians for small medical practices, particularly in urban milieus. Within this framework, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine must foster better links with the faculties of developed countries. The experiences of several EAEVE faculties have shown marked dynamics in curriculum development. This indicates that the guidelines for educating future veterinarians are not clearly defined but are dictated by regional conditions. Therefore, it would be essential to include a faculty such as ours in programmes for the long-term planning of a profile of the European veterinarian (e.g., Vet 2020), because this would provide timely guidelines curriculum planning. Therefore, among our priorities we include defining the profile of a veterinarian, adjusting the curriculum to this definition and pursuant to this, planning systematic scientific/professional continuing education for the Faculty staff and obtaining additional equipment for the Faculty. We are aware that these priorities can be achieved in harmony with our specific situation on the one hand and the inevitable joining of Croatia with Europe on the other.
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Chapter 2 ORGANISATION
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
Details of the establishment Name of the establishment: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb Address: Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Telephone: + + 385 1 2390 111 Fax: + + 385 1 2441 390 Website: www.vef.hr Title and name of head of the establishment: Prof Zdenko Makek, DVM, PhD Is the establishment within a university? Yes If so, please give address of the university University of Zagreb, Trg Maršala Tita 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
The Faculty Senate and dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, direct the institution equally. In legal affairs, the dean represents the institution, pursuant to the entry in the court registry at the Commercial Court in Zagreb. The limits for this representation are established by the Bylaws (see Annex II) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine within the framework of the disposal of material assets. The dean has right to undertake all legal action in the name and on behalf of the Faculty, up to the amount of 1,000,000 Kunas (Article 32, Bylaws of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine). In order to dispose of funds exceeding this amount, the Faculty requires approval from the University Senate. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is part of the University of Zagreb. In order to acquire or abalienate property, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine must obtain the approval of the University Senate. The University Senate confirms the election of the dean. Confirmation of the dean’s agenda in the procedure for the election of the dean is issued by the rector and University Senate. Faculty operations are supervised by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Funding for Faculty operations is arranged and provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
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A diagram of the administrative structures showing the establishment in relation to the University and ministerial structure.
Ministry of Science and Technology Republic of Croatia (administrative-governing supervision) - supervision of the legality Faculty operations - supervision of legal acts - supervision of the disposal of material and financial resources - supervision of employment - supervision of employee rights
University of Zagreb (academic supervision) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - undergraduate and postgraduate studies - election of dean - property rights based on ownership by the University - Bylaws
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A diagram of the internal administrative structure of the establishment itself:
Dean Faculty Senate Prof Zdenko Makek, DVM, PhD - Committee for undergraduate teaching and - Vice deans students' questions o for teaching: Prof Josip Kos , DVM, PhD - Committee for graduate thesis o for science and international co-operation: Associate Prof Ljiljana - Discipline court for students Pinter, DVM, PhD - Committee for postgraduate teaching o for finance: Prof Zdenko Biđin, DVM, PhD - Committee for research and scientific work - Heads of departments: - Committee for informatics, library and o Department of Biology: Prof Đuro Huber, DVM, PhD publishing activity o Department of Physics and Biophysics: Prof Boris Rakvin, PhD, - Committee for European credit transfer Deputy Head of Department system (ECTS) o Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry: Associate Prof Darko - Committee for honours and Sakar, DVM PhD, Deputy Head of Department acknowledgments o Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology: Prof Vesna - Committee for drafting the bylaws and Gjurčević Kantura, DVM, PhD other legal documents o Department of Physiology and Radiobiology: Associate Prof Zvonko Stojević, DVM, PhD A committee list for the academic year o Department of Animal Nutrition: Prof Vlasta Šerman, DVM, PhD 2001/2002 is included under "Suggestions." o Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic: Prof Berislav Jukić, DVM, PhD o Department of Animal Husbandry: Prof Tomislav Balenović, DVM, PhD o Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology: Associate Prof Emil Srebočan, DVM, PhD o Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology: Prof Ruža Sabočanec, DVM, PhD o Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases: Associate Prof Albert Marinculić, DVM, PhD o Department of Pathophysiology: Associate Prof Ante Svetina, DVM, PhD o Department of Biology and Pathology of Bees and Fish: Prof Đuro Sulimanović, DVM, PhD o Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy: Prof Mensur Šehić, DVM, PhD o Department of Animal Hygiene, Environment and Ethology: Prof Marija Vučemilo, DVM, PhD o Department of Poultry Diseases: Prof Hrvoje Mazija, DVM, PhD o Department of Hygiene and Technology of Foodstuffs of Animal Origin: Prof Mirza Hadžiosmanović, DVM, PhD o Department of Humanities in Veterinary Profession: Prof Vesna Vučevac Bajt, DVM, PhD Chair of Veterinary Economics Chair of Veterinary Medicine History Chair of Sociology of Veterinary Profession Chair of Foreign Languages Chair of Physical Training o Department of Forensic and Judicial Veterinary Medicine: Prof Josip Perić, DVM, PhD o Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology: Associate Prof Vladimir Mrljak, DVM, PhD o Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic: Prof Antun Brkić, DVM, PhD o Mobile Clinic: Associate Prof Vladimir Hahn, DVM, PhD o Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic: Prof Antun Tomašković, DVM, PhD o Chair of Game Biology, Pathology and Breeding: Assistant Prof Secretary's Office Zdravko Janicki DVM, PhD - register, preparation and coordinate jobs in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching - Secretary: Bobinac Dubravka, LL.B - service of personnel and general jobs - accountancy - service for cleaning, keeping and watching - service for protection on work and fireproof Scientific-informative units protection - Library - Editorial Board of scientific journal "Veterinarski arhiv"
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The Faculty Senate is the professional council of the Faculty. The Faculty Senate is comprised of all full professors, associate professors and assistant professors, and two representatives of the position of teacher and one representative of an auxiliary position for each year of study. The teachers and associates elect their representatives by a majority of votes at separate elections. The mandates of the representatives of the teachers and associates is for two academic years. Representatives of the students participate in the work of the Faculty Senate, so that there is one representative and one deputy for each year of study with a mandate of two academic years. The election procedure for student representatives is pursuant to the stipulations of the Student Assembly Act. Decisions are enacted by the majority of Senate members present at a meeting (relative majority). An exception to this is the election of the dean, which requires an absolute majority vote by all the members of the Faculty Senate. The working bodies of the Faculty Senate are committees: - Committee for undergraduate teaching and students' questions - Committee for graduate thesis - Discipline court for students - Committee for postgraduate teaching - Committee for research and scientific work - Committee for informatics, library and publisher activity - Committee for European credit transfer system (ECTS) - Committee for honours and acknowledgments - Committee for drafting the bylaws and other legal documents They are established as operative and economic decision-making bodies by the Faculty Senate for specific purposes. The number of committee members is not predetermined but defined by the Faculty Senate when appointments are made. The mandates correspond to that of the dean.
The public is informed about Faculty operations and activities via the mass media, oral statements, publications and announcements on the Faculty Bulletin Board. The dean or a person authorised by the dean reports to the public, pursuant to Article 101 of the Bylaws.
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The Faculty Senate elects the dean from among the teachers at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in the scientific-teaching profession: full professors or associate professors. This election is a public internal competition. The rector and University Senate issue an opinion on the dean’s proposed programme. The dean must be elected by an absolute majority of the Faculty Senate. The dean’s mandate is for two academic years. The same person can be elected dean for a maximum of two consecutive terms. Deputy deans are elected by acclamation after being nominated by the newly elected dean. They are in the scientific-teaching positions: assistant professor, associate professor or full professor. Their mandates are pursuant to that of the dean. Heads of organizational units are chosen by employees in the scientific-teaching, teaching, scientific or research and associate positions and this by a majority of the votes. The heads of units are in the scientific-teaching positions of assistant professor, associate professor or full professor. They are appointed for two years. The secretary and assistant secretary are chosen through a public competition for a mandate of 4 years. Both must have a bachelor’s degree in law with a minimum of four years of legal experience.
2. COMMENTS
There are many constraints faced by the University of Zagreb, and therefore by the faculties comprising it, particularly the lack of University autonomy, inadequate funding, the fragmented structure of the University due to the fact that each faculty has the status of a legal entity, and there is no national strategy to provide a context for a University strategy. The structure of the Faculty itself is also fragmented. The Ministry of Science and Technology currently makes management decisions concerning personnel and the allocation of resources, especially financial resources that should be made at the University level. Under the present Higher Education Law (see Annex II) education and current practice, the University of Zagreb is not an autonomous institution in every sense according to existing European definitions. Also there is not enough coordination among the 33 faculties which produce fragmented structure of the University of Zagreb.
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The political, social and legal contexts that largely determine how institutions of higher education function and how they relate to the overall society require significant change if the University, including the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine under its auspices, is to achieve its full potential. Financial problems in Croatia and inadequate funding are primarily responsible for the development of the Faculty. Regarding professional services, the work of the Faculty is hampered by the time consuming procedures required to obtain opinions, approvals and permits from the executive authorities, which have a negative impact upon efficiency.
3. SUGGESTIONS
There are several crucial goals for Faculty development: - to enhance the public role of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - to obtain increased funding - to promote international contacts and cooperation - to improve coordination among all departments and clinics within the Faculty (attempts are being made to centralise clinics and thereby the system for keeping patient records) - to increase of student participation in all the scientific and research programs at the Faculty. The academic community is not satisfied with present situation in Republic of Croatia. There has been initiative for change in the relationship between the executive authorities and University, including demands for new legal regulations, re- establishment of the former relationships of the University and Faculty with agricultural and nongovernment organisations, increased autonomy and independence for the University, and coordination with European educational and training programmes.
In order to increase the involvement of the teaching staff and improve the efficiency of the Faculty Senate during the 2001/2002 academic year, the following committees have been established:
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- Committee for undergraduate teaching Board for students rights Board for graduate thesis - Discipline court for students - Committee for library and publishing activity - Committee for computer system and informatics - Committee for postgraduate teaching and continuing education - Committee for election in scientific-teaching, scientific, teaching and auxiliary teaching - Committee for research and scientific work Board for master and PhD thesis Board for scientific projects - Committee for European credit transfer system (ECTS) - Committee for honours and acknowledgments - Ethical committee - Committee for drafting the bylaws and other legal documents - Committee for international collaboration Board for bilateral international collaboration Board for visitation
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Chapter 3 FINANCES
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
3.1: Expenditure
Cost of training
- Annual direct cost of training a student:
Kunas Euros* a 1 - salaries of teaching personnel 19.595.067 2.647.982 a 2 - salaries of support staff 9.221.270 1.246.117 b 2 - expenditure relating to teaching 1.039.695 140.499 c 1- equipment relating to teaching 2.140.772 289.283 Total 31.996.804 4.323.881
4.323.881 Cost = = 7652.88 Euros 565**
* 1 Euro = 7.4 Kunas ** total number of graduate students, see Table 9.1.1. in Chapter 9.
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Table 3.1.1: Annual expenditure of the establishment
Calendar year 2001 Kunas Euros a. Personnel a.1 teaching staff 19.595.067,39 2.647.982,08 a.2 support staff 9.221.269,59 1.246.117,51 a.3 research staff 2.192.250,60 296.250,08
Total for a 31.008.587,58 4.190.349,67 b. Operating costs b.1 utilities 3.152.276,73 425.983,35 b.2 expenditure relating specifically to teaching 1.039.694,55 140.499,26 b.3 “ “ “ “ research 1.483.675,41 200.496,67 b.4 general operations (excluding the above) 4.172.168,86 563.806,60
Total for b 9.847.815,55 1.330.785,88 c. Equipment c.1 teaching 2.140.771,62 289.293,47 c.2 research 406.135,97 54.883,23 c.3 general (or common) equipment 204.774,82 27.672,27
Total for c 2.751.682,41 371.848,97 d. Maintenance of buildings 2.757.058,29 372.575,45 e. Total expenditure 46.365.143,83 6.265.559,97
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Table 3.1.2: Cost of veterinary training Kunas Euros 1. Annual direct cost of training a student 56.631,36 7.652,88 2. Direct cost of training for a diploma 566.313,86* 76.528,90*
* see Table 9.3.3. and Comments in Chapter 9.
3.2: REVENUES
Table 3.2.1: Annual revenues of the establishment
Calendar year 2001 Kunas Euros a. revenue from the State or public authorities 36.454.520,68 4.926.286,58 b. revenue from private bodies 242.755,06 32.804,74 c. revenue from research 84.884,70 11.470,91 d. revenue earned and retained by the establishment d.1. registration fees from students 490.895,44 66.337,22 d.2. revenue from continuing education 2.652.650,70 358.466,31 d.3. revenue from clinical activities 1.728.125,92 233.530,53 d.4. revenue from diagnostic activities 3.240.649,49 437.925,61 e. revenue from other sources (revenues for building adaptations, research projects from Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and donations) 1.470.661,87 198.738,09 f. Total revenue from all sources 46.365.143,86 6.265.559,99
Table 3.2.2: Changes in public funding
Year 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 Revenue (Euros) 4.926.286 5.067.394 4.369.472 3.779.097 3.169.968
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For permanent maintenance (buildings, equipment ect.), Faculty must separate certain percentage from own following sources: clinical work: 10 % analysis for commercial clients: 10 % analysis for veterinary practitioners: 10 % research grants : 15 % undergraduate study : 40 % postgraduate study : 40 %
Additional (i.e. own) income accounts for 18% of total revenues, of which 53% comes from services provided for companies and individuals, 22% from undergraduate courses, 10% from post-graduate courses, 3% from earmarked funds, while other revenues constitute 12% (diplomas, exams, application forms, indexes, library)
The Veterinary Faculty is a budget beneficiary and is funded from the budget on the basis of its annual plan (budget) for the following year, which it submits to the University during each current year. The Faculty also includes its own income in its budget. Accordingly, the budget provides for 82% of budgetary funds and 18% of own income.
The Veterinary Faculty includes animal treatment facilities used for teaching purposes and, consequently, has a large surface area to be covered by maintenance and overhead costs. In addition, every day it organises field teaching (Mobile Clinic) for two groups of students. However, the veterinary training programme unfortunately does not receive a budget weighting which would be substantially higher compared to other biomedical disciplines. As a consequence, its motor fleet is obsolete and in disrepair, and the Faculty is forced to invest a substantial portion of its own income in the current maintenance of its buildings, equipment and vehicles, instead of investing in new equipment.
The budgetary funds for university schooling are treated as earmarked funds (i.e. appropriations) and are allocated for salaries and other employee benefits (commuting costs, jubilee awards, support in case of death or sickness) and to cover a portion of
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overhead (power, water, heating, cleaning services, utilities, and food and medicine for animals used in teaching). The budgetary funds for scientific and research activities are allocated for salaries paid to junior researchers and the coverage of project costs. Each year the Veterinary Faculty plans its funding requirements for construction works and basic equipment, which are funded both from the budget and a portion of its own income. The Faculty’s budget plan is approved by the Government, at the proposal of the University. Unfortunately, due to gaps in Croatia’s overall budget, the approved funds practically never match the required amounts; sometimes they reach only 20% of the initially planned funding, so that the Faculty invests its funds within the limits of possibilities. For instance, in 2001, 60% of funding requirements for the investment maintenance of facilities and equipment were covered from the Faculty’s own resources, 17% from the budget, and 23% from other sources (project funds, other ministries). Courses are only paid for by students enrolling for their personal purposes. The enrolment fee for students enrolling for their personal purposes amounts to €1,150.68 per year, and for those repeating the year, the fee is set at €575.34. The level of enrolment fees for students enrolling for their personal purposes is determined by the Ministry of Science and Technology for each course of study. Pursuant to regulations passed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Faculty’s By-laws, 40% of funds is used for capital investment and equipment, and the rest is spent to cover other operating costs (current maintenance of buildings and equipment, partial coverage of overhead costs).
2. COMMENTS
Since the available funding is limited by the central budget, which is adopted at the end of each year for the following year, the Faculty encounters a number of difficulties, in particular when it comes to the coverage of its overhead costs (electricity, water, heating, sanitation, utilities). Namely, since these services are delivered by public enterprises which hold a monopoly, their prices cannot be influenced, and the budget never provides for sufficient funds. In addition, the Faculty has no influence whatsoever on salary levels because they are determined by the Ministry of Finance. Out of total
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budget appropriations, the funds allocated for salaries account for 75% and those allocated for the coverage of material costs represent only 8%. When it comes to research projects funded though the Ministry of Science and Technology, the funds allocated for individual projects are not sufficient even for basic research materials, since the annual value of a project ranges from at least € 3.287,67 to € 14.383,56.
In case of any increased funding, our top priority would be to provide funds for teaching aids and equipment and the maintenance and procurement of equipment for teaching facilities.
The Veterinary Faculty derives its autonomy and flexibility in financial matters only from its own revenues. However, pursuant a regulation passed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Faculty is obliged to invest a certain percentage of its funds in equipment and investment maintenance in accordance with its budget.
While the use of income from services provided for individuals and corporate clients is not subject to any external constraints, revenues from fees paid by students enrolling for their personal purposes are limited by the approved enrolment quota and, in case of postgraduate studies, income is limited by the number of applicants following the invitation to submit applications. Since the allocation of income from external services is governed by the Faculty’s By-laws governing the use of its own revenues and a portion of funds may also be allocated for services outside its standard scope of activities, a limited number of graduate students and a decreased number of clients certainly act as a disincentive.
3. SUGGESTIONS
As a University member funded from the central state budget via the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Veterinary Faculty faces a number of problems which it cannot influence, and which are important for training process.
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Overhead costs (heating system with 4 sub-stations, electricity, water, telecommunication costs, utilities) are covered by an insufficient percentage of budgetary funds, and the Faculty cannot do anything about their decrease, because these services are provided by public sector institutions and their costs increase from one year to another, while income generated from other sources is not sufficient to cover these items. Given the construction cycle, a large surface area and a long depreciation period, the Faculty requires considerable funds for current and investment maintenance, which is – unfortunately – mostly covered by its own income and support received from other institutions with which the Faculty co-operates. As a result of inadequate budgetary funding, investment in modern equipment and teaching aids constitute one of the major problems encountered by the Faculty. The funds budgeted for teaching staff are rather limited and below the average level paid to employees working in other services of a similar profile, which has an adverse effect on the living standard of teachers, especially the younger ones, who – due to their low standard of living – cannot provide for their own existence (housing issues). Potential solutions include the financial autonomy of the University, the allocation of funds according to objective criteria set for “specific” faculties and/or courses of study. Without higher appropriations (which are limited by the overall economic situation) for science, it would be very difficult to provide sufficient funds in order to ensure the development of training process at the level found in highly developed European countries, especially bearing in mind that budget appropriations for science in Croatia account for approximately 1.40% of total GDP.
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Chapter 4 CURRICULUM
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb is the only school in the Republic of Croatia, providing tuition in veterinary medicine. Its curriculum has been designed and accepted by the Faculty Senate at its meeting of January 12, 1995. Curriculum was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as by the University. The University of Zagreb has determined the rules for creating the curriculum, including the criteria that have to be satisfied by all the University members. The criteria are as follows: - students must have a work load of 4500 hours over 10 semesters, including core, elective and optional courses - obligatory courses should cover 70-90%, or 3150-4050 hours - elective courses should cover 10-20%, or 450-900 hours - optional courses should cover up to 5% or 225 hours
The curriculum can be changed in the same way it was proposed and accepted. It is possible however, to change the programme of a course for about 10% annually, to adjust it to the progress made in the field. This change is possible without a special consent of the University, the Ministry of Science and Technology, or the Faculty Senate.
The present curriculum reduced the number of core subjects and theoretical lectures. The number of classes has generally been reduced, although the curriculum has made it possible to have an unchanged, or even increased number of classes of some subjects by introducing elective courses that aim to widen knowledge gained in the core subjects. When deciding upon the curriculum, there were some disagreements present among the members of the Faculty Senate, but after having considered the curricula of some leading European veterinary schools, the Faculty Senate has, in 1995, almost unanimously accepted the new curriculum.
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32 core subject cover 3915 teaching hours, out of which 1530 are theoretical lectures and 2385 practical work the ratio of 39 % : 61 % in favour of practical work. Clinical work, as a specific type of training, which is held in veterinary clinics and on farms, under supervision of the teachers, also makes a part of the obligatory curriculum. Electives and optional courses, which cover a total of 600 teaching hours, comprise 300 hours of lectures and 300 hours of practical work (50% : 50%). There is a balance between the theoretical and practical teaching and the criteria set by the University are met. Besides trying to meet the criteria set by the University of Zagreb, we also followed the recommendations of various associations in the field of veterinary medicine (“World Veterinary Association” and “European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education”). Our main intention was to provide students with a high quality of medical training thus enabling them to work independently as qualified veterinarians, after they have finished their studies. Following the existing regulations in the 5th year of studies, we introduced some additional classes of professional clinical work, namely, 540 hours that are not calculated in regular schedule and are not a part of obligatory clinical work. This is how we managed to additionally increase practical teaching. In accordance with the present curriculum, in course of the 10 semesters, students attend 5640 hours of core subjects, out of which 1830 are theoretical and 3810 practical (32,4% theory and 67,6% practice).
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4.1: CURRICULUM FOLLOWED BY ALL STUDENTS
Table 4.1.1: General table of curriculum hours taken by all students
Hours of training Practical Supervised Clinical Lectures Other* Total work work work First year 240 420 30 90 210+60 1050 Second 315 375 105 105 105+60 1065 Thirdyear 345 330 135 90 90 990 Fourthyear 270 450 75 315 105 1215 Fifthyear year 360 285 180 420 75 1320 Sixth year Total 1530 1860 525 1020 705 5640
* Elective subjects + physical education (60+60) in first and second year of study
Tables 4.1.2: Yearly curriculum studies
Year of the course I
Hours of training Practical Supervised Clinical Subject Lectures Other Total work work work Physics and Biophysics for 30 30 60 Veterinarians Chemistry 30 30 60 Biology 60 60 15 30 165 Biochemistry 45 30 15 30 120 Anatomy, Histology and 75 270 30 375 Embryology Physical 60 60 education Electives 210 Total 240 420 30 90 270 1050
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Year of the course II
Hours of training Practical Supervised Clinical Subject Lectures Other Total work work work Anatomy, Histology and 15 30 45 Embryology Veterinary 15 15 30 Immunology Technology of Animal 90 60 15 60 225 Production and Breeding Microbiology 45 60 15 120 Physiology and Pathology 60 60 45 165 of Animal Nutrition Physiology 60 105 60 225 General Pathology and 30 60 90 Pathological Morphology Physical 60 60 Education Electives 105 105 Total 315 375 105 105 165 1065
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Year of the course III
Hours of training Practical Supervised Clinical Subject Lectures Other Total work work work General Pathology and 60 60 30 150 Pathological Morphology Pathophysi- 60 30 45 15 150 ology Parasitology and Parasitic 45 30 30 30 135 Diseases Pharmacology 75 60 15 150 and Toxicology Animal Hygiene, 45 60 15 45 165 Environment and Ethology Radiobiology 15 30 45 Internal Diseases of 45 60 105 Domestic Animals Electives 90 90
Total 345 330 135 90 90 990
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Year of the course IV
Hours of training Practical Supervised Clinical Subject Lectures Other Total work work work Internal Diseases of 90 120 30 60 300 Domestic Animals Surgery,Internal OrthDiseasesopaedics of 60 150 210 andDomestic OphthalmologyAnimals Reproduction of Domestic 75 105 30 210 Animals General and Clinical 15 30 45 Radiology Infectious Diseases of 15 30 15 15 75 Domestic Animals Methods of Physical 15 15 30 Therapy and Diagnostic Ambulatory 240 240 Clinic Electives 105 105 Total 270 450 75 315 105 1215
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Year of the course V
Hours of training Practical Supervised Clinical Subject Lectures Other Total work work work Surgery, Orthopaedics 30 30 60 120 and Ophthalmology Reproduction of Domestic 15 30 15 60 120 Animals Infectious Diseases of 60 30 45 15 150 Domestic Animals Hygiene and Technology of 105 120 225 Foodstuffs Biology and Pathology of 15 15 30 60 Fishes Judicial Veterinary 30 15 45 Medicine Biology and Pathology of 15 15 30 Bees Breeding and Pathology of 15 15 30 Game Poultry 30 30 30 90 Diseases Veterinary 15 15 15 45 Economics Forensic Veterinary 30 60 90 Medicine Ambulatory 120 120 Clinic Ambulatory Clinic with 120 120 Heard Health Electives 75 75 Total 360 285 180 420 75 1320
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Table 4.1.3: Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects taken by every student
Hours in course Subject Practical Supervised Clinical Lectures Other Total work work work A. Basic subjects Anatomy (including histology 90 300 0 30 420 and embryology) Biochemistry and molecular biology
in: Biochemistry 45 30 15 30 120 in: Biology 16 10 26 Biology (including cell 28 34 9 4 75 biology) Biophysics 30 30 60 Biostatistics in: Technology of Animal
Production and Breeding 2 2 4 in: Biology 2 2 Chemistry 30 30 60 Epidemiology
in:Infectious Diseases of 30 30 30 15 105 Domestic Animals Genetics in: Biology 14 6 20
in: Technology of Animal Production and Breeding 7 9 5 21 Immunology 15 15 30 Microbiology 45 60 15 120 Parasitology 45 30 30 30 135 Pathological anatomy 90 120 30 240 (macroscopic & microscopic) Pharmacy Pharmacology and Toxicology 75 60 15 150 Physiology 60 105 60 225 Physiopathology 60 30 45 15 150 Scientific and technical
information and documentation
methods
in: Technology of Animal 2 2 Production and Breeding
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Hours in course Subject Practical Supervised Clinical Lectures Other Total work work work B. Animal Production Agronomy
in:Physiology and Pathology of 1 3 4 animal Nutrition Animal behaviour (including 4 4 behavioural disorders) Animal husbandry (including 78 48 4 60 190 livestock production systems) Animal nutrition and feeding 59 57 45 161 Animal protection and welfare 45 60 15 25 145 Environmental protection
in:Biology 16 26 42 Preventive veterinary medicine (including health monitoring 45 54 15 45 159 programmes) Reproduction (including artificial 37 62 11 110 breeding methods) Rural economics
in: Veterinary Economics 7 7 5 19 C. Clinical subjects Anaesthetics 5 6 11 Clinical examination and diagnosis 35 70 20 15 140 and laboratory diagnostic methods Clinical medicine 63 149 30 64 306 Diagnostic imaging 15 30 45 Obstetrics 32 36 22 7 97 Reproductive disorders 18 10 7 4 39 State veterinary medicine, zoonoses, public health in: Judicial Veterinary Medicine 10 5 15 in: Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals 15 8 23 Forensic medicine 30 60 90 Surgery 85 122 60 267 Therapeutics 15 15 30 D. Food Hygiene Certification of food production 10 10 20 units Food certification 10 15 25 Food hygiene and food quality 30 30 60 (including legislation) Food inspection, particularly food 30 50 80 of animal origin Food science and technology 25 15 40
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E. Professional knowledge Practice management
in: Veterinary Economics 8 8 15 31 Professional ethics
in: Judicial Veterinary Medicine 2 2 Veterinary certification and report writing in: Judicial Veterinary Medicine 8 5 13 Veterinary legislation
in: Judicial Veterinary Medicine 10 5 15
Table 4.1.4: Curriculum hours in other subjects taken by every student
Hours in course Subject Practical Supervised Clinical Lectures Other Total work work work Radiobiology 15 15 30 Biology and Pathology of 15 15 30 60 Fish Biology and Pathology of 15 15 30 Bees Breeding and Pathology 15 15 30 of Game Ambulatory Clinic with 120 120 Heard Health Ambulatory Clinic 360 360 Infectious Diseases of 30 22 15 67 Domestic Animals Poultry Diseases 30 30 30 90 Physical Education 120 120
4.2: ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
Hours in course Courses within elective Practical Supervised Clinical Lectures Other Total work work work Sociology of Veterinary 1. 15 15 30 Medicine Introduction to Veterinary 2. 15 15 30 Medicine Selected Chapters from Botany 3. 7 8 15 (Phytology) 4. Anatomy of Decorative Birds 7 8 15
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5. Informatics 7 8 15 English in Veterinary 6. 15 15 30 Medicine I German in Veterinary 7. 15 15 30 Medicine I Introduction to Scientific 8. 15 15 30 Work 9. Sociology of Agriculture 15 15 30 Ecological Significance of 10. 7 8 15 Predators 11. Statistics 7 8 15 Selected Chapters from 12. 7 8 15 Molecular Biology Chemistry of Natural 13. 15 15 30 Compounds English in Veterinary 14. 15 15 30 Medicine II German in Veterinary 15. 15 15 30 Medicine II Characteristics of Horse 16. 7 8 15 Locomotion Apparatus 17. Anatomy of Wild Life 7 8 15 Comparative Anatomy of 18. Mammals' and Birds Skeletal 15 15 30 System 19. History of Veterinary Medicine 7 8 15 Animal Husbandry 20. 15 15 30 Organization and Economics 21. Physiology of Birds 7 8 15 Physiology of Amphibians and 22. 7 8 15 Reptiles 23. Clinical Anatomy 15 15 30 Anatomy of Laboratory 24. 15 15 30 Animals Breeding and Production of 25. 15 15 30 Rabbits and Furbearers Fundamentals of Physics for 26. 15 15 30 Diagnostic Methods 27. Tropical Infectious Diseases 7 8 15 28. Tropical Parasitic Diseases 7 8 15 Basic Molecular Pathology, 29. Tumor Histology and 15 15 30 Metastasis 30. Parasitology in Public Health 15 15 30 Biological Effects of Ionising 31. 7 8 15 Radiation 32. Kinology 15 15 30
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33. Veterinary Nuclear Medicine 7 8 15 34. Pigeon Breeding 15 15 30 35. Zoonoses 7 8 15 36. Ethology and Welfare 15 15 30 Game and Environment 37. 7 8 15 Management Hygiene of Foodstuffs and 38. 15 15 30 Veterinary Public Health Selected Chapters of 39. 15 15 30 Aquaculture Management and Marketing of 40. 15 15 30 Veterinary Practice Veterinary Inspection and 41. 7 8 15 Veterinary Public Health Pathomorphology and Forensic 42. 15 15 30 Examination Diseases of Aviary and Game 43. 15 15 30 Birds Radiation Ecology and 44. 7 8 15 Radiation Hygiene Application of Histomorphological Procedures 45. 7 8 15 in Technology of Foodstuffs of Animal Origin 46. Biodiversity 7 8 15 47. Toxicology of Toxic Plants 15 15 30 48. Anatomy and Histology of Fish 7 8 15 Pathology of Laboratory 49. 15 15 30 Animals
Students sign up for elective courses according to the established curriculum and according to the number of obligatory course hours for each of the 10 semesters. In such a way each student individually selects elective courses.
The amount of the elective courses each student takes is limited, as the maximum amount of 4500 all hours 4500 hours in 10 semester is determined by the University. Physical education, Clinical Work, Ambulatory Clinic and Ambulatory Clinic with Herd Health. (total of 120 + 360 + 540 + 120 =1140 hours) are not calculated in the electives. However, as in each semester there is a different load of obligatory courses, the choice and amount of elective courses in each semester is different.
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Number of core and elective course hours in each semester Core courses Elective courses Number of offered elective courses Semester (hours) (hours) and teaching hours I 390 90 7 courses - 175 hours II 450 120 8 courses - 195 hours III 420 60 3 courses - 75 hours (+2*) IV 540 45 3 courses - 90 hours (+2*) V 390 60 3 courses - 120 hours (+2*) VI 510 30 3 courses - 90 hours VII 525 75 6 courses - 180 hours VIII 585 30 3 courses - 90 hours IX 705 30 4 courses - 60 hours X 540 45 9 courses - 210 hours
* In III, IV and V semester besides the elective courses, students attend two optional courses (for instance English or German in Veterinary Medicine III – V, each covering 60 hours).
4.3: OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
Table 4.3: Optional subjects in the veterinary curriculum
Year(s) Hours in course Subject Practical Supervised Clinical Lectures Other Total offered work work work English in Veterinary II(3rdsem) 15 15 30 Medicine III German in Veterinary II(3rdsem) 15 15 30 Medicine III English in Veterinary II(4thsem) 7 8 15 Medicine IV German in Veterinary II(4thsem) 7 8 15 Medicine IV English in Veterinary III(5th sem) 15 15 30 Medicine V German in Veterinary III(5th sem) 15 15 30 Medicine V
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4.4: OBLIGATORY EXTRAMURAL WORK
Table 4.4: Obligatory extramural work that students must undertake as part of their course
Minimum Year of the course in Nature of work period which work is carried out Ambulatory Clinic 45 days IV and V Ambulatory Clinic with Herd 15 days V Health
Students undergo training in Mobile Clinic and Mobile Clinic with Herd Health in the course of 4th and 5th year of their studies. In the 10th semester tuition mainly focuses on Heard Health. The courses make a specific type of extramural practical work, in the course of which the following clinical subjects are taught: Infectious diseases; Internal diseases; Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology; Obstetrics, Sterility, Artificial Insemination, Udder and Offspring Diseases. In accordance with the schedule, once a week in the course of the 4th and 5th year of study, this type of extramural practical work is held outside the establishment. The clinical courses are taught by the teachers, specialists in the field. In these courses there is a ratio of 1 teacher to 4 students. The teaching takes place in veterinary stations, as well as on the farms of the animal breeders, within a radius up to 70 km from Zagreb.
4.5: RATIOS
Theoretical training 1830 1 = = Practical and clinical 3810 2.08 training
Clinical training 1350 1 = = Theoretical and practical 4290 3.18 training
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4.6: FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CURRICULUM
In 1994, the University of Zagreb, came to a decision to introduce some major changes into the system of schooling, in order to remove the shortcomings present in the former socialist system. At the Veterinary Faculty of Zagreb, clinical subjects were underestimated, and the idea of the megalomanic “socialist agriculture” was favoured. . Wishing to satisfy the criteria of the University and taking into account suggestions given by expert faculty associations in Europe and worldwide, a new tuition curriculum was drawn up and was introduced in 1995. Students who enrolled in the 1997/98 school year were the first to study according to the new, now current curriculum. The period between the adoption and transfer to the new curriculum lasted for two years only, because the Veterinary Faculty of Zagreb planned to introduce changes even before the University’s initiative of 1994. Therefore, the curriculum was drawn up for the school year 1994/95. By this curriculum, some changes were introduced, but the newly imposed criteria were still not satisfied. The major improvements were a decreased number of theoretical lectures, which have partly changed from “ex catedra” lectures to seminar work, an increased number of hours of practical training and the introduction of elective subjects.
The current curriculum aims to reaffirmate general, basic and permanent theoretical knowledge, which is considered to be a basis of the profession. The programme of lectures has been modified and, in accordance with Western European trends, has reaffirmed the importance of the traditional primary medical subjects. During the seminars, particular thematic units are dealt with, and the tuition focuses on problem solving activities. Additional clinical work has been introduced, with the purpose of providing an improved and more complete specialised education of future veterinary surgeons. To widen certain parts of the curriculum, (which are not of basic interest to all future professional graduates), elective and optional subjects have been introduced.
Nowdays during their undergraduate studies students undergo training in the following fields. - primary veterinary medicine - veterinary health service
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- human environment - clinical, field and laboratory diagnostics - prevention of infectious diseases in animals and zoonoses - devising and promoting programs for the livestock and livestock production systems, production of animal feedstuffs and products of animal origin - animal welfare and environment protection - ethics in veterinary medicine.
Upon completing the current study at the Veterinary Faculty of Zagreb, students acquire the title of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). During the 10 semester long tuition the following core subject are taught: Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, General Pathology and Pathological Morphology, Physiology, Internal Diseases of Domestic Animals, Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology, Reproduction of Domestic Animals, Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals, Microbiology, Veterinary Immunology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Radiobiology, General and Clinical Radiology and Methods of Physical Therapy and Diagnostics.
The medical education presented in this manner is based on the knowledge of pre-medical teaching, which is provided in the courses: Biology, Physics and Biophysics for Veterinarians, Chemistry and Biochemistry.
During the pre-clinical study, the courses which get the students acquainted with their specific work objectives and the etiological factors are the following: Technology of Animal Production and Breeding, Physiology and Pathology of Animal Nutrition, Animal Hygiene, Environment and Ethology, Poultry Diseases, Biology and Pathology of Fish, Biology and Pathology of Bees, Breeding and Pathology of Game and Hygiene and Technology of Foodstuffs.
Veterinary education is completed after the students have taken courses in Veterinary Economics, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Judicial Veterinary Medicine.
By introducing the changes into the curriculum we have attempted to modernize the training performed both in core and elective subjects. The changes that have been
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introduced are the following: Biology - chapters on molecular biology necessary for a better understanding of immunology and vaccination are introduced. In addition, the elective subjects "Selected Chapters on Molecular Biology" and "Selected Chapters on Botany (phitology)" have been introduced. The current training programme includes practical and supervised work in the form of seminars as well. Changes have been introduced into the subjects: Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, with the aim of increasing the duration of the practical training and reducing the number of hours of theoretical training. The offered elective courses are the following: Anatomy of Decorative Birds, Characteristic of Horse Locomotion Apparatus, Anatomy of Wild Life, Comparative Anatomy of Mammals' and Birds Skeletal System, Clinical Anatomy, and Anatomy of Laboratory Animals.
The number of lecturing hours has been decreased and seminars have been introduced which enable students to understand more profoundly the principles of applied biochemistry.
The number of lectures on Veterinary Immunology, Physiology and Pathology of Animal Nutrition, Technology of Animal Production and Breeding has also been decreased to spare time for seminars and practical training. The course on Technology of Animal Production and Breeding has been supplemented by the introduction of the elective subjects, namely, Kinology, Pigeon Breeding, Breeding and Production of Rabbits and Furbearers.
There is a substantial increase in the number of lectures on General Pathology and Pathological Morphology, in which students gain necessary knowledge of the pathological principles of the diseases. In this field of study several elective courses, (i.e. Basics Molecular Pathology, Tumor Histology and Metastasis, the Pathology of Laboratory Animals, Pathomorphology and Forensic Examination), have been introduced.
In the subject Pathophysiology, lectures have been replaced by seminars, which ensures students better understanding of the patophystiology of the diseases.
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There have been some major changes in the program of the subjects: Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Pharmacology and Toxicology. The lecturing periods have been reduced in favour of practical training. The elective subjects: Parasitology in Public Health, Tropical Parasitic Diseases, and Toxicology of Toxic Plants have been introduced to complement the core subjects.
In the elective subjects: Ethology and Welfare, the contents of a technological character have been extended with topics on ecology and ethology. The elective courses in this field: Ecological Significance of Predators, Game and Environment Management, Radiation Ecology and Radiation Hygiene have been introduced as well. As to the subjects focusing on birds and poultry, besides the compulsory lectures, a number of practical courses have been introduced. These are the following: Physiology of Birds, Diseases of Aviary and Game Birds.
Together with the clinical subjects, Hygiene and Technology of Foodstuffs takes the key position in the final semesters of veterinary medicine study, which is also evident in the number of hours assigned to its training. There are also some elective subjects offered in this field, namely: Hygiene of Foodstuffs and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Inspection and Veterinary Public Health and the Application of Histomorphological procedures in Technology of Foodstuffs of Animal Origin.
As it has already been stated, our aim is to provide future veterinarians with proper training in such a way that they are able to perform the following tasks: providing modern, veterinary medical practice, herd health prevention, breeding of animals, supervision of foodstuffs of animal origin etc. The curriculum focuses on clinical work and practical training through various forms of study, from involving students in hospitalisation activities at the Clinics, to clinical fieldwork. In this respect, the number of clinical classes has been increased in comparison to previous curricula. These courses are mainly taught during the last 2 years of studies. Only the subject: Internal Diseases of Domestic Animals, begins one semester earlier (6th summer semester in third year of studies).
The above mentioned courses aim to acquaint students with propaedeutics and prepare them for clinical courses that follow Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology; Reproduction of Domestic Animals; Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals and
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Ambulatory Clinic, held in the 7th, 8th and 9th semester, and the Ambulatory Clinic with Heard Health held in the 10th semester (although the students have already attended the clinical courses). The introduction of professional clinical work, which is compulsory for every student, has certainly contributed to the practical character of training (690 hours of extra clinical work within the Ambulatory /Mobile clinic exceed the time allocated to it by the Curriculum).
As the work load in all semesters is not the same, students are obliged to sign up for several elective courses, 13.4%, i.e. 600 hours in the course of 10 semester, or the number of classes missing to cover the quota of 450 hours (per semester). The elective courses in each semester are offered in accordance to curriculum.
Besides the mentioned courses, the following courses, namely: Physical Education (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th semester-120 hours), Ambulatory Clinic (7th, 8th, and 9th semester-360 hours), and Ambulatory Clinic with Health Heard (10 semesters – 120 hours) are obligatory, but are not calculated in the total quota of 4500 hours.
The class attendance in all the courses is recorded and valued, and the teacher’s signature is given in the report (index). Students are obliged to attend practical classes. Each absence must be recorded and compensated for. Even for a justifiable reason, students are not allowed to miss more than 30% of practical work. In the contrary, they cannot get a signature from the teacher in charge (approving the attendance to the course), which is necessary for regular continuation of their studies. Attending the lectures is not obligatory.
4.7: SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE PRATICAL CLINICAL TRAINING
The forms of clinical teaching at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb do not completely correspond to the ones provided in the EAEVE requirements. Specific differences result form the above mentioned quota of course hours imposed by the University of Zagreb, our curriculum, the internal organisation of our units as well as the 83 years long tradition of the Veterinary Medicine. As shown it table 4.1.3.under
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C, Clinical subjects taught at the corresponding organisational units of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are the following: - At Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology the subject Internal Diseases of Domestic Animals is taught - At Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic the subject Surgery, Orthophaedics and Ophthalmology is taught. - At the Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic, the subject Reproduction of Domestic Animals is taught. - At the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic – the subject Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals is taught. - At the Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostics Physical Therapy the subjects General and Clinical Radiology and Methods of Physical Therapy and Diagnostic are taught.
The above mentioned Clinics and departments, i.e. their technical and professional staff is involved in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine permanent emergency service. The 5th year students are required to participate in emergency interventions at the Clinics. Each student is obliged to be on duty at least 6 times (around 48 hours, from 4 p.m.-10 p.m) Besides, students are occasionally called to come to see some exceptionally interesting cases. Through clinical rotations students are integrated into the functioning of the clinics.
Clinical work whose function is to introduce students to the hands-on procedures is obligatory for all students, although it is not recorded in the student report (index). This type of work is organised according to the previously stated clinical course schedule, and amounts to 210 hours per student. It is performed at clinics in the course of 7th, 8th, and 9th semester. When on duty, and while performing their professional clinical work, students participate in case study demonstrations, and are included in the immediate clinical work, under the supervision of their teachers. The regular, clinical teaching as shown in the tables, amounts to 1065 hours, out of which 390 are theoretical and 665 hours are assigned to seminar-work and clinical practice.
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Further 480 hours are spent in the Ambulatory Clinic and Ambulatory Clinic with Heard Health, In the course of their studies, students are involved in direct work for 1403 hours (480 hours are spent in Ambulatory Clinic and Ambulatory Clinic with Heard Health (48+210+665+480=1403 ) Besides the obligatory schedule of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, all the clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are open to students. This opportunity is commonly taken by students during winter or summer vacations.
The mobile clinic is an integral part of the obligatory studies during 7th, 8th and 9th semester, whereas the tuition in the 10th semester the focuses on Herd Health. Therefore, the name of the course is changed into Ambulatory Clinic with Heard Health. These courses are not included in tables 4.1.3, 4.2 or 4.3, but are included in tables 4.1.2. and table 4.4. The courses held at this Clinic are the following: Internal Diseases of Domestic Animals; Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology, Reproduction of Domestic Animals and Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals. The classes are taught by the teachers who supervise 4-5 students. Students work independently under their teachers supervision from the time of their first contact with the owner of the animal, through the period of taking of anamnesis, to clinical check up and diagnosis, to issuing instructions on therapy. Students discuss the issues with their teacher and under his supervision decide on therapy. The reports on this work are presented at the end of a term.
4.8: SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE PRACTICAL TRAINING OF FOOD HYGIENE
Within the practical part of the study in the course Hygiene and Technology of Foodstuffs for IX semester veterinary students teaching was organized in meet industry ‘Sljeme’ d.o.o. (each student goes to meet industry two times). The study is due in small groups (about 10 students). The slaughterhouse is about 7 km far away from the Faculty. Students are, during tour through facilities of the meet industry, introduced with slaughtering process and carcass cutting for swine, cattle and calf. Each student
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precipitate in inspection before slaughtering and in veterinary-sanitary meet inspection on the slaughtering line with help from veterinary inspectors and assistants from the department. Students are also doing pork trichineloscopy after slaughtering. In the academic year 2000/2001 IX semester students, during practical part of course hygiene and technology of meet and fish, did the part of the study in small slaughtering and cutting manufactures. Last year that kind of practical learning wasn’t possible because large distance from those manufactures. Our opinion is to implement this practice next year. It is, also, our intention to implement, at least, 10 continuous working days practice in meet industries. Practical study part from the class Food Hygiene and Technology should be planned considering mentioned intentions.
Students in X semester during practical study goes to PIK Vrbovec and Meet Industry Sljeme-Sesvete where they were introduced with meet products inspection and production technology (different kind of sausages, dry sausages and cans). Students are participating in inspection of the mentioned products from the meet industry PIK Vrbovec. Field teaching is organized in small groups about 8 students which are taken to the PIK Vrbovec facilities by bus because the large distance of approximately 40 kilometers. Teaching lasts for 3 hours. Further more, students do part of field practice in the market place ‘Dolac’ where accompanied by veterinary inspector are doing veterinary-sanitary inspection of milk products and fishes. After the part about hygiene and technology of milk and milk products are lectured students go to the milk industry ‘LURA’d.d. and ice-cream industry ‘LEDO’. Students are precipitating in control and inspection of products from milk and ice-cream industry. That tour is organized during whole day and inside facilities students are divided in smaller groups and accompanied by technician, veterinarian and assistant from the department.
2. AND 3. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
The Faculty of Veterinary medicine in Zagreb educates future veterinary surgeons who are upon completing their studies, qualified to perform general medical veterinary practice with the aim of protecting animal health and, indirectly, human health. In order to achieve this aim, the present curriculum has been structured in such a way that it is
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based on core medical education, which is in turn, based on core courses. Following the same principle, the courses on animal production are taught in specific courses on pathology and treatment of poultry, fish, bees, and game. Animal of Foodstuffs of Animal Origin is a separate subject and is taught in the last part of the study along with the courses that acquaint students with the basics of planning and management. We believe that such a curriculum should bring some positive outcomes, both in our country and in our efforts to make an integral part of modern Europe. The study curriculum of the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb has been designed to meet the basic needs of the State in the field of the veterinary profession, taking into consideration the curricula of the leading European veterinary faculties, and the suggestions of the expert associations in Europe and worldwide. Presently, the quality of our curriculum is still not completely verified, as in this school year (2001/2002), the first generation of students attending their classes according to the new Curriculum has enrolled in the final, fifth year of their studies.
We believe that we have improved our curriculum in a number of ways: the total number of tuition hours has been substantially increased over 4,500 hours determined by law, the total theoretical tuition has decreased in favour of practical tuition, the amount of clinical tuition has increased.
Elective subjects have been introduced with the aim of enabling students to widen their understanding of the core subjects' material.
Nevertheless, we are aware of certain deficiencies in the current programme, and we therefore believe it is necessary to introduce further changes in the tuition. We believe that the daily burden on students is too high, as is amounts to 11 hours of compulsory tuition per day. This fact represents a solid base for a potential restructuring of the duration of study, to six years. Moreover, we are aware of the fact that the terminology we use is commonly not compatible with the terminology that is in effect in Europe. This is an important issue, bearing in mind the European integration process (ECTS).
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In the way it has organised its tuition, the Faculty is clinical disciplines oriented, whereas the main European trend is to focus on the study of animal species. We are being aware of this problem and are trying to resolve it. Probably, the best way to deal with this situation would be to adapt to the model widely accepted in Europe.
Perhaps the greatest deficiency of the present curriculum is in the position of the elective subjects. The total number of elective courses is excessive as it amounts to 52. Although interesting, the curses that are spread over 10 semesters are not adequately designed to provide a systematic guidance to some particular discipline (surgery, inspection, animal hygiene, etc.) or type of work (with particular animal cattle, horse, dog, etc.).
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Chapter 5 TEACHING: QUALITY AND EVALUATION
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
5.1: THE TEACHING PROGRAMME
An implementation plan for teaching theory and practice in co-ordination with all departments is developed for the existing course schedule at the beginning of each academic year and at the beginning of each semester. A part of the practical portion of teaching for clinical courses is handled at farms, veterinary stations, "meat and milk industry units", slaughterhouses and markets through the inspectoral service and at the Croatian Veterinary Institute. This portion of teaching is made possible through negotiated co-operation between the Faculty and these institutions.
The basis for the education of students in undergraduate courses is to acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will enable participation in a broad range of veterinary activities after the completion of studies. A doctor of veterinary medicine educated in this manner will be able to perceive the need and necessity of permanent education in post-graduate lectures and in other aspects of education (specialisation, courses, study projects, etc.). Fundamental knowledge enhanced with the most recent discoveries in each department are acquired during studies through courses. In the seminar portion of courses, students work independently with the assistance of teachers (suggested literature) to pursue individual thematic units. An individual or a smaller group presents the designated material by making use of available contemporary aids (computer software, audio-visual presentations), while the remaining seminar participants contribute to the solution to given problems by being actively involved in discussions and posing questions. During exercises/practice, either individually or in smaller groups, the knowledge and skills essential for independent work as a doctor of veterinary medicine are tested and acquired. During clinical courses, students conduct examinations, diagnostics and the treatment of patients in the presence of teachers/instructors; they furthermore refine their skills in contemporary methods and techniques in surgery, veterinary obstetrics, radiology and ultrasound diagnostics. In clinical work outside of the Faculty at farms, veterinary stations, slaughterhouses,
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production units and markets, they become acquainted with concrete problems and independently put their acquired knowledge and skills in various fields to use in the presence of teachers and experts from these organisations. When on-call on clinics, organised such that students become acquainted with all clinical departments, they come face to face with a wide and diverse sphere of practice.
In addition to standard textbooks, course notes are also used which are constantly updated and encompass the latest scientific and expert knowledge. Besides standard textbooks in the Croatian language and course notes, the use of textbooks in foreign languages is recommended. The most recent editions of international textbooks were procured through the organised efforts of students and donations from lecturers, and these can be found at the Faculty’s Main library – in the student section at the disposal of students. Students can also apply new knowledge from scientific and scholarly journals within the framework of the Main library and in the libraries of all departments and clinics. Using computers in the Main library and the computer study-room, students can access the Internet to find the latest data in specific disciplines.
Contracts covering extra-Faculty practice teaching have been concluded with the Croatian Veterinary Institute, veterinary stations, clinics, production units, farms, slaughterhouses and inspectoral units at markets.
We emphasise that each student, in a specific order associated with individual courses in line with planned programmes, actively participate in the work of the aforementioned organisations and institutions. Students who have marked affinities for individual problems are offered the opportunity for more frequent visits, a more thorough understanding and practical work in individual organisations and institutions.
5.2: THE TEACHING ENVIRONMENT
The relevant legislation acts (see Annex II) stipulate the conditions for the appointment, reappointment selection and advancement of all teaching and research grades. A public announcement and selection process is held for all cases of appointments, reappointments and promotions to higher-level posts. If an applicant currently employed at the Faculty does not meet the selection criteria, then his or her contract-based
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professorial status at the Veterinary Faculty is terminated. The entire procedure is controlled by the authorised bodies of the Faculty, Zagreb University and the Ministry of Science and Technology. The above-mentioned laws and by-laws stipulate the teaching and scholarly conditions that must be fulfilled. The members of the lecture/teaching staff thereby have to permanently perfect their expertise in their teaching, scientific and vocational fields (see Annex 2). Perfecting and broadening of knowledge is accomplished in research-based and vocational postgraduate study which is concluded by the completion of an examination and the compilation of a research or scholarly work during doctoral study in which the applicant prepares and defends a doctoral thesis. By holding a model lecture, the applicant shows his/her level of pedagogical and professional preparation. Occasional pedagogical instruction of professors has been organised at the University level by the Faculty of Philosophy. In this manner, primarily auxiliary staff (junior assistant, assistant and senior assistant) at the Faculty can gain knowledge of contemporary pedagogical methods in lecturing in addition to enhancement of knowledge in their basic area of expertise. Such continuing education is possible by employing grantees from the Faculty, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the University and frequently even individual foreign embassies. Continued education also proceeds in courses at the University level or at professional associations (The Chamber of Veterinarians), as well as symposiums and study trips organised through cooperation between individual institutes and clinics or the Faculty with similar institutions abroad. The Veterinary Faculty and University of Zagreb are obliged to secure the conditions for the preparation of masters and doctoral theses and specialisation in Europe and beyond as the basis for advancement in lecture, scientific and professional work, which are an indivisible whole. Participation in symposiums at home and abroad, especially lectures by invitation at other European and international higher education institutions is also taken into consideration in the selection of the teaching staff. Other criteria include membership in scientific and scholarly associations at home and abroad and work on the education and training of younger generations of professors/teachers (mentoring undergraduate research work, masters and doctoral theses and courses). Occasional surveys of students are conducted to evaluate teaching in individual departments and all participants in the teaching process.
If the candidate fulfils the conditions for advancement in the field before the required deadline (specified in the aforementioned legislation), he or she can initiate the
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procedures for the evaluation of fulfilment of conditions for early advancement pursuant to law.
5.3: THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM
Examinations are held in the summer, autumn, and winter (summer: mid-June to mid- July, autumn: all of November, winter: beginning of February to March), as well as every month according to the schedule of courses. Examinations may be oral, both written and oral, practical, or a clinical examination and multiple-choice questions, before the oral part of the exam. In the course of the year quizzes are obligatory in some subjects. There are no external examiners in the undergraduate examination system. After taking the course a student can take an exam four times. In case of a failing mark student has to repeat the course, and if he or she again fails four times, loses the right to continue the study as stipulated by the regulations of the Faculty. The Faculty’s Bylaws, the undergraduate study regulations and the study regime determine the conditions for each semester, the order of examinations and also the examination methods for each course. The Faculty Senate may decide to alter individual provisions from the study regime only in exceptional cases. Examinations should be taken in a specific order according to the examination schedule which is a component of the lecture programme.
5.4: EVALUATION OF TEACHING
To be appointed as assistant professor in particular discipline, every candidate has to give a lecture on Faculty Senate for getting Venia legendi. As initiated by the University, there is a random quality check of professors and lecturers.
5.5: STUDENT WELFARE
Students of the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb have specific facilities at their disposal during the time they are not involved in the teaching programme. For study purposes there are: the main study-room, the Main library, study-rooms that are located at the
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departments, a computer room with 20 computers. During breaks, between lectures and their practical work there is a canteen which makes their stay at the Faculty more pleasant. Students also spend their time at the Student Room, where the two of the Faculty's student organisations are situated. They help the students in organising their free time through the programmes they offer. Students participate in these activities at their own discretion. International Veterinary Student Association (IVSA) offers international cooperation, group and individual exchanges and participation at international symposiums and conferences. In this fashion we present our Faculty to foreign students, and our students get the opportunity to observe foreign universities first-hand. The Equus Student Association deals with student problems, their free time and their continuing education. The sports section is one of the most active that encourages them to participate in sporting events organised by University of Zagreb, mainly in team sports (football, basketball, volleyball, handball, eight-man rowing crew and so forth). Space and time for these activities is organised by the Veterinary Faculty in cooperation with other faculties of University. The biggest sporting event of every academic year are the ‘Sports Games’ organised by the faculties of the biomedical group at the University. At this traditional event, the best student athletes of these faculties meet. The Equestrian Section helps students who have an interest in working with horses to spend their time with and gain knowledge of the animals held at the Faculty. In the Journals Section students edit their own two journals which are published several times annually. One of them has a scholarly character, while the other deals with entertainment and everyday topics, taking into consideration everything that goes on at the Faculty. On the Web-pages one can find all information about the Student Club, and also join in on their activities. The tradition of welcoming new students has also been present at our Faculty for many years. Freshmen get to know their future place of study through introductory lectures and their future colleagues at a big welcome party, organised especially for them. A traditional farewell party is also organised by students of the final (fifth) year of study. It is held in June, usually outdoors. The Faculty band has an important role in making these parties widely-known. For the students that come to the Faculty from other parts of Croatia, yearly accommodation is provided at the student dormitory. Besides accommodation itself,
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they offer everything needed to make a student's life easier and more comfortable and fulfilled, from canteens, cinemas and theatres to recreation and study rooms. Many students at our Faculty are situated there, mostly at the Laščina Student Dormitory, which is located near the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb. The National University Library is also a place where students find extra learning materials, and meet their colleagues and other students of the University.
2. COMMENTS
The success of study, i.e. the quality of the graduate veterinarian/doctor of veterinary medicine, is influenced by a number of factors. The most important among them are: 1. quality of the student 2. quality of and compliance between the implementation programmes of individual departments during the course of study 3. quality of all categories of teachers, from the youngest teaching assistant to the most senior full professor 4. physical resources required for contemporary study
The importance of these factors can be analysed separately, which is more meaningful when dealing with complex interactions. We will briefly make reference to the aforementioned factors: 1. the quality of the student, primarily upon the commencement of study, depends on the knowledge acquired during education in secondary schools. We emphasise that such knowledge is insufficient particularly in the field of the natural sciences. Such students have greater difficulty in mastering programmes during the course of study, particularly those in basic subjects. This is reflected such that the attention of the lecturer and the content and pace of the lecture process are primarily adapted to this type of student, rather than emphasis being placed on excellence. Most students enrolled in the Faculty are from the classical gymnasium or the secondary veterinary schools. The latest group of students has a notably better initial position in the practical portion of study. 2. The implementation programmes of individual departments are not sufficiently aligned, which leads to the unnecessary repetition of similar thematic units in similar departments (see Annex I). It is significant that students are excessively burdened with
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the duration of everyday periods to the detriment of studying/learning in the strictest sense. In the existing lecture programme, the extent of theoretical lectures has been reduced while the practical and clinical portions have been enlarged. We believe that in the near future the practical portion of lectures will have to be further increased, while the theoretical portion will have to be dedicated to the latest discoveries and knowledge not included in the available domestic and foreign textbooks and lecture notes. 3. In this chapter we wrote about the system for the appointment, reappointment, continuing education, advancement and evaluation of the quality of the teaching staff. We emphasise that at the level of the University and our Faculty, effective evaluation criteria for the continued assessment of each professor have not been enough developed, nor has the effective participation of students in this process. It is our view that others, among the most eminent experts from other faculties and research institutes (i.e. Ruđer Bošković) in Croatia will have to become involved in the some special segments of teaching process, as well as those from renowned international universities and academies or other research institutions. 4. The quality of the teaching process and of graduate students largely depends on the physical resources at their disposal. The Veterinary Faculty has invested, and still does invest, maximum effort in the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment (clinics, laboratories, exercise rooms, etc.), but the available—insufficient—finances, limited primarily by the Ministry of Science and Technology, do not facilitate the equipping of the Faculty as a whole. This primarily effects the procurement of modern equipment and teaching aids at the level of developed European Union member states as well as other developed countries world-wide.
In conclusion, we can state that Croatia’s economic development and a change in the system of values will alter the essential factors (from 1 to 4), and this will be reflected in the quality of students, professors, the teaching process and, most importantly, the quality of graduate veterinarians-doctors of veterinary medicine.
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3. SUGGESTIONS
One of the fundamental reasons for the reduced success of students is their failure to systematically gain comprehensive knowledge of the required materials. One way to solve this problem would be to introduce examinations for smaller units of individual subjects that would compel students to systematically master the required materials during the semester. We are aware that this represents an additional burden to the teaching staff, but with the organised assistance of a young scholarly staff it is possible to establish regular written testing which should have deadlines posted in advance. Such a testing system would be the most intense during the study of the fundamental subject matter in the first years of study in order to ensure that habits of everyday study are acquired. In the second half of their study, it would be worthwhile to engender so-called medical thinking among students, such that in tests they exhibit an individual approach to solving specific problems (the so-called case report approach). Since the development of the Faculty’s computer network is in progress, we assume that we possess the conditions to set up tests on the Internet which would be accessed by students after completing thematic units and making the necessary preparations, with, of course, supervision on the part of the examiner. Additionally, oral examinations that verify basic knowledge should be formulated into written tests. In the overall educational system and undergraduate and graduate lectures, independent external examiners should participate. They would occasionally provide guidelines to improve course-work based on the knowledge they gain during the testing process.
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Chapter 6 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
6.1. PREMISES IN GENERAL
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a full member of the University of Zagreb. It is located in the south eastern part of the city of Zagreb at 55, Heinzelova street. Faculty comprises a total area of 58 783 000 m2. Total area of the buildings is 26 915 m2 (ground floor, 1st and 2nd floor), whereas the accompanying area (without halls, stairs, terraces and sanitary facilities) occupies approximately 17,250 m2. The building is divided into 12 constituent parts, consisting of 19 departments (including 6 chairs), 4 clinics, mobile clinic, students' rooms, Main library, Dean's offices with the Accounting division (see the map at the end of this edition). The premises of the clinics are separated from the premises of the departments. During the last five years some premises have been intensively refurbished. The buildings of the Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic were completely renovated as well as some parts of Obstetrics clinic and parts of some departments, namely, the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. New students’ computer room (with 20 places) has been organised at Department of Animal Husbandry. In the Main library, student reading room with 24 work places has been set up. During the Library reconstruction the entire computer network has been improved. The new staff rooms have been built at the Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic, the Reproductive and Obstetrics Clinic and at the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic. Department of Animal Husbandry has been completely renovated. Pathological Anatomy dissection room and practical work room at the department of Physiology are presently being refurbished.
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6.2: PREMISES USED FOR CLINICS AND HOSPITALISATION
Table 6.2.1: Places available for clinics and hospitalisation
- number of hospitalisation places for cattle 10i,3s,7o,2id - number of hospitalisation places for horses 7i,14s,5o,2id - number of hospitalisation places for small ruminants 3i,10s,5o,4id - number of hospitalisation places for pigs 4i,6s,-o,4id - number of hospitalisation places for dogs 10i,30s,9o,4id - number of hospitalisation places for cats 4i,5s,4o,4id Number of animals that can be accommodated in isolation facilities; - small animals 2i,3s,3o,4id - farm animals and horses 2i,1s,6o,2id
Legend: i = Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology; s = Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic; o = Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic; id = Department of Microbiology and Infectious diseases with Clinic.
6.3: PREMISES FOR ANIMALS
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is equiped with a separate room for handling laboratory animals (rats and guinea pigs) for demonstration of some drugs' activity. There are spaces for three mares and six cows, which are used for practical education at the Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic. For the same purpose, three ewes and two rams are used. There are also spaces for bulls and boars which are periodically kept at the Clinic for a term time. Presently some parts of ground area have been adopted for free keeping of cattle, horses, sheep and goats. As a part of their extramural tuition, students visit the farms which are owned by the Faculty of Agronomy and Center for Reproduction of livestock in Croatia where they have an opportunity to examine 18 mares and 50 cows, in the period before, during and after gestation period and after parturition. Students have opportunity to observe collecting of the semen in bulls and boars examine their sperm. At the farm Gruda, d.o.o., Vukovina, practical arrangements are made for teaching Technology of Animal Production and Breeding. Farm provides extended fattening of bull-calves, its capacity being 2000 animals. There, students become acquainted with
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farm buildings (sheds, boxes), microclimate, manure manipulation, feedstuffs (preparing and storage), vaccination, diseases and the whole production cycle (calves are bred to reach 250 kilograms and after that are being fattened to live body weigh 500-550 kilograms). At the pig farms Dubravica d.o.o. (Dubravica) and Zbelava d.o.o. (Varaždin), students become familiarised with production cycles on pig farms (selection of animals that will be kept for breeding, oestrus detection, semen taking and control, insemination, gestation period, parturition, weaning, pig fattening), and premises for different categories of pigs, feedstuffs, microclimate, vaccination etc. At the poultry farm Gala d.o.o.(Bjelovar) students are taught about laying hens keeping and production (cages, foodstuffs, microclimate, vaccination, egg collecting, checking, sorting and packing ). The facilities for rearing and maintaining animals are also available to students during Heard health course in course of their work at the Mobile Clinic.
6.4: PREMISES USED FOR THEORETICAL, PRACTICAL AND SUPERVISED TEACHING
Table 6.4.1: Premises for lecturing
Number of lecture halls 8
Number of places per lecture hall Hall no. 1 no. 2 no. 3 no. 4 no. 5 no. 6 no. 7 no. 8
150 80 80 80 80 76 80 100 Places Large. Physic. Anat. Physio. Chem. Patol. Micro. Clinic. Total number of places in lecture halls 726
Legend: Large.= Main Lecture Hall; Physic.= Department of Physics and Biophysics; Anat.= Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; Chem.= Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Patol.= Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology; Micro.= Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic; Clinic. = Clinical Lecture Hall (all clinics).
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Table 6.4.2: Premises for group work
Number of rooms that can be used for group work (supervised work) 15 Number of places in the rooms for group work: Room no. 1 no. 2 no. 3 no. 4 no. 5 no. 6 no. 7 no. 8
Places 50 32 40 63 20 An. 23 114 An. 28 Jud. Obs. Pha. Hist. Small.s. Ost./Hist. Large.s. Physiol.
Room no. 9 no. 10 no. 11 no. 12 no. 13 no. 14 no. 15
Places 32 Pat. 20 40 35 20 30 14 Physiol. Rentg. Husb. Biol. Comput. Surgery. Bees.
Total number of places in rooms for group work 561
Legend: Jud.= Department of Forensic and Judicial Veterinary Medicine; Obs.= Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic; Pha.= Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Hist.= Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; An.Small.s.= Anatomy/small section room; Ost./Hist.= Histology/small section room; An.Large.s.= Anatomy/large section room; Phisiol.= Department of Physiology and Radiobiology; Pat.Physiol.= Department of Pathophysiology; Rentg = Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy; Husb.= Department of Animal Husbandry; Biol.= Department of Biology; Comput.= Computor room, Surgery = Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic; Bees.= Department of Biology and Pathology of Bees and Fish.
Table 6.4.3: Premises for practical work
Number of laboratories for practical work by students 8 Number of places per laboratory Room no. 1 no. 2 no. 3 no. 4 no. 5 no. 6 no. 7 no. 8
20 20 14 30 28 18+4 40 8 Places Micr. Fish. Pat.His. Pat. Obst.Rep. Physic. Che. Nut.
Total number of places in laboratories: 182
Legend: Micr.= Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic; Fish.= Department of Biology and Pathology of Bees and Fish; Pat.Hist.= Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology; Pat.= Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology; Obst.Rep.= Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic; Physics. = Department of Physic and Biophysics; Che. = Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Nut.= Department of Animal Nutrition.
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The hazardous materials are usually avoided. In case they use such materials, students are informed in detail how to take precautions. This is especially important for microorganisms causing zoonoses, or those causing infectious diseases of worldwide economical importance. The students are also warned how to protect themselves from cancerogenic materials. Disposable materials are mostly used. In laboratories to which they have access and where they are encouraged to work, students are always under strict supervision of their teacher. Washing sink, liquid soap and paper towels are available. When working with noxious substances, students wear protective clothes. In case of accident caused by some hazardous chemical, neutralizing agent is available.
In some departments (e.g. Department of Patophysiology), the premises for practical work and laboratories to which undergraduate students have access do not meet basic standards for contemporary and safe educational and scientific work. For example, old laboratory desks without washbasins, inadequate equipment, poor electrical installations and inadequate wooden floor.
At the clinics, health and safety are insured by providing protective clothes (aprons, overcoats, boots, gloves, masks etc.), hygienic supplies (soaps , detergents, paper-towels and disinfection materials) for every student and teacher as well as those necessary for proper animal restraint procedure.
At some departments, health and safety measures are not completely provided. Electrical instalations should be renewed and modernised. Students are due to wear protective clothes (smocks - frocks) during their work in the laboratory. Precautions are taken when biological material is used. Students are supervised while working with corosive and inflamable chemicals.
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6.5: DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES AND CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Diagnostic laboratories At the Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology there is a Central Clinical Laboratory consisting of biochemical laboratory (30 m2) with biochemical analyser Technicon RA 1000, ILyte ISE; hematological and cytological laboratory (30 m2) with microscope and automatic analyser Serono Baker 9100; laboratory for hemostasis and urinanalysis (30 m2) with ACL 7000, automatic coagulometar and microscope. Central Clinical Laboratory serves all Faculty clinics and also supports Faculty staff research. Clinical pathology and diagnostic pathology are also supported by several specialised laboratories located at the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease with Clinic (Laboratory of Virology, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Laboratory of Mycology, Laboratory for Leptospiroses, Laboratory for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) as well as at the Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases. Tissue specimens analyses are carried out at the Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology. Laboratory analyses of fish and bees' diseases are routinely carried out at the Department of Biology and Pathology of Bees and Fish. At the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology there are also laboratories in which the analyses of animal tissues, fluids, and environmental samples to detect the presence of heavy and trace metals, wet chemical procedures and enzyme activity are carried out. At the Obstetrics Clinic, there is a laboratory for assisted reproduction divided into two autonomous parts. Area for assisted reproduction with strict desinfection measures consists of three parts: 1. for aspiration of the oocytes, 2. for media preparation and 3. for oocytes-embryos' manipulations with CO2 incubator, inverted microscope with micromanipulator. The other part of the laboratory consists of two small parts which serve for: trophoblast proteins determination and advanced milk testing for mastitis control based on clinics and genetics. There is also a laboratory for PCR techniques and ELISA.
Central clinical support services At the Department for Radiology, Ultrasonography and Physical Therapy there is practically all X-ray equipment used in veterinary radiography designed and constructed
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for human use. In ultrasonography «Pya Medical» for small animal practice is used. There is also equipment for electrotherapy and phototherapy. Anaesteshia is organised at the clinics that perform surgical procedures. All laboratories provide clinical support service in diagnostic facilities and consulting. They also serve as back-up laboratories for veterinary practitioners, both regionally and nationally. In addition, mentioned laboratories carry out applied scientific researches.
6.6: SLAUGHTERHOUSE FACILITIES
Slaughterhouse Facilities The slaughterhouse "Sljeme" – Sesvete is situated at the suburb of Zagreb and is completely equipped. During the practical part of the course students are familiarised with pork and beef production lines and various slaughterhouse techniques, including the critical control points (HACCP-system). In addition to becoming acquainted with the meat inspection in small slaughterhouses, in the school year 2000/2001 students visited the meat industry "IMES" – Samobor (28 km). In the slaughterhouses the students get their practical veterinary training in the field of meat inspection under supervision of certified veterinary inspectors following European and national legislation. In the year 2001/2002 only the slaughterhouse "Sljeme" was used for this kind of teaching.
.6.7: FOODSTUFF PROCESSING UNIT
Foodstuff Processing Unit During the 10th semester the students have access to several foodstuffs processing units including meat industry PIK – Vrbovec, dairy industry "LURA" – Zagreb and ice-cream industry "LEDO" – Zagreb. Meat industry PIK - Vrbovec is situated around 45 km from Zagreb. The industry is registered as an export slaughterhouse and the meat industry in EU and produces fresh meat and meat products such as cured meat, different sort of sausages and tins. Dairy industry "LURA" produces milk and dairy products, and there, students have opportunity to be introduced to all stages of manufacturing. "LEDO" is the biggest ice-cream industry in Croatia where the students have an opportunity to get acquainted with the whole chain of ice-cream production. In addition, the small groups of students are involved in a practical veterinary control at the Zagreb
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market, where food stuffs of animal origin such as meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, poultry and eggs, fish and fish products are sold.
6.8: WASTE MANAGEMENT
Waste Management All kinds of cadavers, organs, excretions and all other different types of biological waste from the clinics are delivered to the Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology. Microbiological waste is disposed of after beeing sterilased in autoclave. Parasitic life stages, protozooans and etc. are thermally destructed prior to their disposal. Cadavers and body parts of animals which are used in practical training and scientific studies at the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, are collected in plastic boxes and are disposed of at the Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology Dissection Hall. Small animals’ excretions are flushed down through the public sewage system. Excreta from large animals are collected in the dung-yard. Volatile organics are stored in safety containers. Acids and aqeous wastes are stored in glass or acid resistant syntethic containers (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology). All waste materials collected from different parts are disposed of in appropriate containers at the dissection room and transported to utilization facility.
6.9: FUTURE CHANGES
Future Changes Suggestions for some departments are given in this chapter. At the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology equipment should be renewed, especially the microscopes used by students. Ventilation system of the dissection halls should be improved, and the tables in both section halls as well as the lights should be repaired. The pools should be adapted for the fixed anatomical preparations. It is necessary to move the pools from the large section hall, as well as to renovate water pipelines at the ground-floor and the first floor of the building.
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Department of Animal Hygiene, Environment and Ethology aims to achieve better quality of practical work with individual students. It also plans to purchase the equipment necessary for improving the quality of teaching and to supply recent literature from animal hygiene, ethology, desinfection, desinsection, deratisation, waste treatment, animal transport, ecology and water quality treatments. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology needs better ventilation system and hoods for improving safety in working area. Department of Physiology and Radiobiology plans to introduce radical changes in order to improve tuition and scientific research. The Department suggests the following changes to be undertaken: 1. Equipping premises for practical training so that haematological and biochemical examinations, and multimedia simulation of animal and cell experiments can be carried out. The following measures should be undertaken: - providing laboratory desks with cabinets for chemical substances and laboratory equipment, as well as installing washbasins - providing a TV set, needed for CD presentation - providing a new digester - replacing present electrical installations - renewing laboratory equipment (microscope) - replacing existing parquet floor with the adequate floor base 2. Laboratories should be refurbished according to regulations, considering safety work conditions as follows: - laboratory desks with washbasins for equipment should be installed - old digesters for work with irritant chemicals should be repaired or replaced with the new ones - spaces for keeping chemicals should be separated (at the moment they are kept in cupboards in the hall) - weighing areas should be separated and marble consoles should be installed - new floor bases should be installed Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology is currently planning to widen the premises for specialist examinations.
At the Department of Pathophysiology, laboratory for practical work of undergraduate students should be modernized. New and improved microscopes, should be installed, as
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well as new spectrophotometer and equipment for haemathological analyses. Also, computer with all the necessary equipment for multimedia presentations should be provided, as well as autoanalysers for biochemical and hematological examinations used in experimental work and teaching. The Department already has one modern microscope, but digital camera would be of great use. Department should be subscribed to medical and biochemical periodicals, either by mail or through Internet.
The Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic plans to improve and widen the Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction with ELISA and PCR testing, and start using trophoblast proteins determination and sex determination of embryos on PCR in everyday practice as well as to establish and improve program for mastitis control, based on clinical, laboratory and genetic testing. It is also necessary to encourage students to participate more actively in research projects on mammals, particulary on wild animals such as deer and roes. In cooperation with Center for Reproduction of livestock in Croatia, the Clinic is planning to establish Laboratory for routine spermatology testing.
At the Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostics and Physical Therapy the teachers’ interaction with students on an individual basis is essential. Because the widespread use of sonography there was a need to introduce this topic into the programme of the course. The programme consists of a computer assisted instruction of the physical principles of sonography and practical classes based on clinical examinations. At the end of the course, each student writes an essay on the subject of sonography.
The Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology suggests the renovation of dissection hall and its accompanying facilities a priority.
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3. COMMENTS
On the whole, Veterinary Faculty provides an adequate basis for the education of future veterinarians. The teaching capacities are adequate for about 120 students per year. During the past few years great efforts have been done to renovate Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic, Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic and Infectious Diseases Clinic, as well as to modernize laboratories for practical work at the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic and Department of Physiology. Following the mentioned renovation, the clinical capacities of the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb are believed to be adequate from the aspect of both hygiene and usefulness. Recently, the conditions regarding hygiene and ecology have been improved with the aim of providing a better service and adequate students' training. In order to diminish a somewhat serious problem of a decreasing number of large animals, the students frequently undertake extramural training. Also, a part of the practical training acquainting students with different diagnostic procedures is performed in the laboratories of the Croatian Veterinary Institute - Zagreb.
Buildings and premises of The Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embriology meet the standards set for the undergraduate teaching. Histology teaching equipment is not adequate because the microscopes available to students are very old and their number is inadequate. It is also necessary to adapt work spaces and tables for anatomical dissection performed by students.
Biology teaching is not only performed in the main establishment, but also in the areas outside Veterinary Faculty buildings. It includes: maintenance of the surrounding area of the Faculty (gardening), practice performed on laboratory animals' in the Ruđer Bošković Institute, ecological practice in forests and meadows of the Maksimir City Park, ecological practice in the "Lonjsko polje" nature reservate; ecological practice at the Jakuševac rubbish dump (visual survey from outside) and taxonomy practice in the Zagreb Zoo (guided tour).
At the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, the standards are mostly met. A few simple analytical instruments would be desirable (centrifuge, spectrometers, etc.)
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Department of Animal Nutrition meets needs for undergraduate teaching. However, the existing equipment which is in use in the laboratory work and in scientific studies should partly be renewed.
The buildings of the Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology are adequate and well maintained, but there is a need for new equipment (microscope, ultrasound, endoscopes, CT, MRI).
At The Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology, all educational, scientific and professional conditions are met. Current equipment meets minimal educational requirements but should be modernized (binocular microscopes for students, multimedia projector). Department and equipment maintenance is satisfactory and adequate for the present capacity.
The buildings of the Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic are completely adequate for the undergraduate teaching. However, as it is planned to widen the scope of the activities carried out at the Clinic, as well as to encourage students to participate more actively in research and clinical work, the premises should be refurbished. Parts of the buildings and Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction have already been renovated.
The equipment of the rooms for lectures and practical courses is in conformity with current standards. The equipment of laboratories is satisfactory and provide the students with advanced training.
3. SUGGESTIONS
Departments and clinics should cooperate to a far larger extent in using research equipment that is expensive to purchase and maintain. The commendable programme of construction and refurbishment already in progress should be continued. Diagnostic imaging and analyses should be performed by central unit that is specialised in performing relevant tasks. The Faculty should aim to house new analytical or
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measurement equipment in preferably purpose-built unit, which would include high standard communal facilities. More consideration will be given to obtain internationally recognised accreditation for laboratory procedures. Urgent attention should be given to establishing central reception for patients and primary examination facilities.
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Chapter 7 ANIMALS AND TEACHING MATERIAL OF ANIMAL ORIGIN
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
7.1: BASIC SUBJECTS
Anatomy
According to the teaching programme, in practical anatomy training the whole bodies of domestic animals (minimum one cow, one horse and one swine per semester, small animals (dogs, cats, sheep and goats), as well as some parts of bodys (e.g., front legs, rear legs, head, intestinal organs, male and female reproductive organs) are used. In two dissection halls there are eleven tables, each occupied by four to five students, with one to five teaching materials on each, depending on the topic discussed. For the osteology study, the whole skeletons of domestic animals as well as a bone collection of all domestic animals, small animals, and birds are used. Pathological anatomy collection of formaldehyde-preserved organs, organ systems and models of organs and organ systems, are also used. Cadavers and other sectioned materials are obtained from the Sljeme d.d. slaughterhouse, field Veterinary practises, the Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology, and, occasionally, through personal donations following animal euthanasia. Clinical anatomy enables students to obtain a better understanding of clinical subjects, such as Internal Propedeutics, Surgery, Anestesiology, Obstretics and Radiology. For the Clinical anatomy practice, lecturers use animals owned by the Faculty. Section material in safeguarded in tanks filled with formaldehyde.
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Pathology
Table 7.1: Number of necropsies over the past 3 years
species Number of necropsies Year 2001 Year 2000 Year 1999 Farm/large animals; cattle 12 7 14 equines 5 6 10 small ruminants 35 32 44 pigs 83 129 22 other farm anim. 131 * 135 220 zoo - animals 29 40 48 small/pets; dogs 302 283 290 cats 75 53 94 other pets and 5 18 50 lab. animals
TOTAL 677 703 792
* rabbit (n=36), poultry (n=56), chinchilla (n=20) and ostrich (n=19)
For the teaching purposes, sections are carried out in the Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology dissection hall. There, three tables are used. Students work on cadavers of animals that have died on farms, or on those donated by the Veterinary practices. Dissection is also obligatory in case an animal has died at a Faculty clinic, as well on animals that have undergone euthanasia. Most of the necropsies on poultry are carried out in agreement with the Croatian Veterinary Institute. At the Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology students practice necropsies of wild animals from the Zagreb Zoo. Sometimes, (if necessary) necropsies of other wild animals are also undertaken (sea mammals - dolphins, as well as bears, wolves and large birds – e.g., vultures), and additionally of those that have been of special interest to the Veterinary Faculty staff.
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7.2 ANIMAL PRODUCTION a) on the site of the institution
The Faculty possesses 7 horses, 11 cattle, 4 sheep, 7 goats and 5-10 dogs for practical training of students. Animals are housed in Clinic stables and are available for students' practice throughout the whole academic year. Presently as some ground areas for free housing has been adopted more animals for teaching purposes will be purchased. b) on other sites to which the institution has access
Based on the contracts with Faculty of Agronomy, Centar for Reproduction in livestock of Croatia, private farms and vetrinary field practices, regular visits to livestock farms are performed. At the farm Gruda, d.o.o., Vukovina, practical arrangements are made for teaching Technology of Animal Production and Breeding. Farm provides extended fattening of bull-calves, its capacity being 2000 animals. At the pig farms Dubravica d.o.o. (Dubravica) and Zbelava d.o.o. (Varaždin) with around 1000 sows and gilts, students become familiarised with production cycles on pig farms. Technology of poultry production students are able to learn at Gala d.o.o. farm (Bjelovar) where approximately 250. 000 laying hens are kept.
7.3 FOOD HYGEINE
Students visit large slaughterhouses with processing units ("Sljeme", PIK-Vrbovec) and small private slaughterhouse i.e. IMES-Samobor. During their individual practical work students have opportunity to get familiarised with whole process and particular phases of pig and cattle slaughtering as well as with meat processing. All visited slaughterhouses have relatively high daily capacity (several hundreds slaughtered animals per day) so students have sufficient number of animals for work.
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7.4 - 7.5: Consultations and hospitalisation
7.4: CONSULTATIONS
Clinics are open throughout the year (52 weeks) for public services. In accordance with the curriculum, students are directly involved in their work during the academic year. In accordance with the curriculum, voluntary work and practical teaching are also performed throughout the year. All Clinics are open for consultations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays.
Table 7.4: Number of animals received for consultation in the past three years.
Species Number of patients Year 2001 Year 2000 Year 1999 Farm/large animals cattle 17 6 14 equines 38 21 28 small ruminants 16 10 12 pigs 2 0 0 other farm 25 3 23 TOTALanimals* 98 40 77 small/pets; dogs 5103 4489 4218 cats 980 1009 1087 other pets 135 119 99 TOTAL 6218 5617 5404
TOTAL farm/large animals and 6316 5657 5481 small/pets
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7.5: HOSPITALISATION
Table 7.5: Patients hospitalised in the clinics in the past three years
species Number of hospitalisations Year 2001 Year 2000 Year 1999 Farm/large animals; cattle 16 20 25 equines 33 28 41 small ruminants 12 24 32 pigs 0 1 1 other farm 1 7 4 TOTALanimals* 62 80 103 small/pets; dogs 227 324 285 cats 32 56 52 other pets 1 2 0 TOTAL 260 382 337 TOTAL farm/large animals and 322 462 440 small/pets
7.6: VEHICLES FOR ANIMAL TRANSPORT
To transport sick animals to Clinics, a vehicle specifically adapted for animal transportation is used (Renault Messenger E-73359). Cost of transporting animals to the Faculty Clinic is 1 Kuna/km (0.14 Euros/km). This relatively low cost is designed to encourage owners to bring interesting or complicated cases to the Clinics of Veterinary Faculty. In some cases owners are exempted from such a payment.
7.7: EMERGENCY SERVICE
In house emergency service is available 24 hours a day. Regular working hours for the Clinics are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. During this period, teachers and veterinary technicians are present at the Clinics. After that, the teacher in charge and one veterinary technician remain at the Clinic until 8 a.m. next morning. Some teachers are on call at home, but they are able to arrive to the Clinic within 30 minutes.
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Clinics and departments that offer their services are: Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology, Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology Clinic, Reproduction and Obstetrics Clinic and Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic. Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostics and Physical Therapy, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, and Department of General Pathology and Pathological Morphology are available on call.
7.8: MOBILE CLINIC
An important element of extramural education involves the Faculty Mobile clinic. Such a clinic is organised in a way that four teachers in charge (one for internal diseases, one for infective diseases, one for obstetrics and sterility and one for surgery) lead a group of 12 to 15 students who travelling together by bus, cover an area within 60 to 80 kilometres around Zagreb. Two such buses depart four times every week during the term period. In such small groups students are provided with individual practical work and hands on experience with available patients. This system also enables students to deal not only with diseases and problems in the field, but also to experience the “real” field conditions of everyday veterinary work, and direct contact with the animal owner “in their own yard”, which is also a useful experience. The main task to accomplish is to train students to perform prophylactic, diagnostic and curative treatments of cattle, swine, horses, small ruminants and poultry, although they occasionally deal with dogs and cats as well. Mobile clinic visits various local field veterinary clinics. There, students have an opportunity to work directly in the clinic or, in the owners’ stables or yards. Swine farms in Gradec and Dubravica, the horse farm in Lemeš, as well as a number of cattle mini-farms and private swine mini-farm are commonly visited as well. Since ostrich rearing is also practised in Croatia, we occasionally visit private ostrich farms too. Owing to the Mobile clinic students have an opportunity to get acquainted with a number of treatments and diagnoses that they otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to experience within the Faculty clinics.
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We consider that the Mobile Clinic teaching system enables us to prepare students to deal with a considerable number of problems and situations. It also acquaints students with techniques and treatment methods in an individual and extremely practical manner. Two 31-seater buses, (TAM 85T 130A), one 15-seater minibus (Renault Messenger Euro2 minibus) and one 8-seater mini-wagon (VW Caravelle) are used to transport students working in a mobile clinic. Each week eight visits with the two 31-seater buses are made. That means 112 visits per semester, or around 224 per year.
7. 6. Number of animals examined by Mobile Clinic during the past three years
species Year 2001 Year 2000 Year 1999 Farm/large animals cattle 718 920 659 equines 123 41 49 small rum. 250 203 63 pigs 3826 4938 8595 other farm 12 15 9 TOTAL 4929 6117 9375 Small/pets dogs 97 147 277 cats 23 366 26 other pets 0 0 0 TOTAL 120 513 303 TOTAL farm/large animals and 5049 6630 9678 small/pets
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7.9: OTHER INFORMATION
Additional outside sources of material for clinical training purposes that we use are: slaughterhouses (animals in "depo" before slaughtering), the “Lemeš” Center for reproduction of horses, The Sljeme experimental farm, the “Gradec” and “Dubravica” pig farms and Center for Reproduction of Livestock in Croatia – Zagreb and Križevci. The Veterinary Faculty employs specialists in every field of veterinary medicine. Laboratories (haematological, biochemical, pathohistological, microbiological, parasitological, toxicological) are quite well equipped. Private veterinary practices offer 24-hour service, just as the Faculty does, but specialists at the Faculty are much better equipped than other veterinarians. In case of need, the Faculty clinics are able to assemble all the specialists required in less than thirty minutes. Veterinary Faculty clinics perform the same services as other veterinary practices in the city. During its long existence, Veterinary Faculty has earned a very good reputation, and has its own clients who prefer to visit the Faculty and its clinics whenever necessary. For this reason, incidence of pathology is similar, and in most cases Veterinary Faculty clinics provide first opinion. Also private veterinarians refer complicated and chronic cases to the Veterinary Faculty where specific clinical examinations can be carried out. For the same reason, owners of large animals (within the area of around 50 km) also visit the Faculty without having previously consulted a field veterinarian. Complicated or unusual cases, or very expensive animals, are usually brought to the Faculty if the owners decide to do so, after having consulted local veterinarians. The Faculty has contracts with 15 private veterinary practices around of 50 – 80 km from Zagreb. These practices are very good organized and have specialists able to solve nearly whole "standard" cases. So, this is the main reason why they refer to the Faculty only small number of unusual and complicated cases. Second reason is dramatical decrease of farm animals in last 10-years period in mentioned area around Zagreb as well in whole Croatia. Fees are set at the Faculty level. Prices are similar for all the Clinical services and are lower to those charged in private practices. Prices for special examinations and laboratory services are mainly kept to a level that cover the costs of laboratory materials. Prices are set to motivate owners to use Faculty services in order to ensure
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regular admission of interesting cases and to obtain sufficient amount of teaching material for students. In most cases the outside practitioners choose, prepare and refer interesting patients to the Faculty clinics for student practice. The Veterinary Faculty provides all technical and professional support to veterinarians in field, in out-patient clinics and to private practitioners. Consulting via phone, fax or E-mail is provided. Field veterinarians and faculty experts have published many case reports and original scientific papers on a cooperative basis. The four farms (“Dubravica” Pig Farm - 23000 fattening pigs and approx. 8000 pigs of other categories; “Gradec” Pig farm - with a similar number of animals; “Lemeš” Stud - with 50 mares; “Sljeme” Experimental Charolais Cattle Farm, owned by the Faculty of Agronomy), are used to provide students with practical training - treatments and prevention of diseases. Veterinary Faculty also has a contract with the Croatian Veterinary Institute to cooperate in preparing animals for dissection and biological material for laboratory analysis. Each clinic has its own database of case records. The records are kept for each calendar year separately. Patients are separated according to the species they belong to. The records of the out-patient clinic patients are separated from the hospitalised ones. New software that will be available at the clinics is currently being tested. The original concept was developed at the Veterinary Faculty, and software is produced by experts from a local company, "Inter-net". 10 network computers situated in different clinics, and a server (based on SQL) are in use.
7.10: RATIOS
7.10.1: Animals available for clinical work:
Ratio: students/production animals
number of students graduated in the last year 149 1 = = number of production animals 5089 34.2
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Ratio: students/companion animals
number of students graduated in the last year 149 1 = = number of companion animals 6598 44.3
7.10.2: Animals available for necropsy:
Ratio: students/post-mortem examinations
number of students graduated in the last year 149 1 = = number of cadavers necropsied 677 4.5
2. COMMENTS
Presently, the clinical teaching units are discipline-based. There are on-going discussions about reorganising of the clinics into species oriented clinics. The clinics keep only a small number of animals for teaching handling and routine procedures. Small animal teaching material is largely generated from the animals brought in by the general public and from patients referred by practitioners. The patients for large animal teaching are supplemented by material bought for teaching or from the local private farms in area around the city. Still the number of animals received for consultation and hospitalisation at the Faculty is insufficient. Therefore Mobile Clinic is an essential and very important part in Faculty teaching process which provides around 97 % of farm/large animals and reasons for this are explained in part 7.9 of this chapter.
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3. SUGGESTIONS
Number of animals, especially farm/large animals, received for consultation and hospitalisation at Faculty should be enlarged. In the near future Faculty clinics should be better organized which includes: - modern and efficient management with improved public relation - more contracts for cooperation with private veterinary practices and farms - one part of Mobile Clinic should be organized as 24 hours emergency service to provide more animals for Faculty clinics - attempt to establish Faculty farm All above mentioned could be accomplished by the additional efforts of Faculty and necessarily much higher financial support.
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Chapter 8 LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
8 .1: LIBRARY
The Main library of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was established in 1919 as an integral part of the Faculty. Its main purpose is to support students and academic staff in their educational and scientific research. However, besides the Main library there are libraries at each department or clinic which literature library stock related to the particular fields of study. Library stock (e.g. journals) available in departmental libraries is registered at the Main library. The Faculty Senate appoints the Library committee consisting of the Faculty employees to carry out publishing activity for a period of two years. The Committee is in charge of all the activities of the Library.
Because of the progressively increasing needs of its users, at the end of year 2001, the Main library was reconstructed. As a result, its service has substantially improved. The new student reading-room with 24 places for study is formed next to the already existing staff reading-room with 12 work places. Recently, the entire local computer network has been improved, so that the Library presently provides modern on-line communication facilities. The users have an access to complete library stock. In each of the two reading rooms there are 4 work places provided with on-line facilities, totalling 15 in the Library. Local library computer network is connected to the Faculty computer network and Internet. In a separate library room, users can have access to a computer with scanner and printer. Users of the reading rooms have an access to photocopying machine too.
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Main library: - is this specific to the veterinary training Yes establishment? - is this common to two or more establishments? Yes (it is open to the staff, students and researchers)
State the library's annual operating budget over Kunas Euros the past three years: Year 2001 100.000 13.513,13 Year 2000 100.000 13.513,13 Year 1999 100.000 13.513,13
Number of full-time employees 4 Number of journals received each year (in addition to books) Year No
1999 112 2000 113 2001 116
Number of student reading places 36 Library opening hours: Weekdays Weekends during term-time 08:00 to 16:00 closed during vacations 08:00 to 16:00 closed
Number of loans to students per academic year around 8000
Animalscience.com 1 month free Give an outline description of any computerised Access, Science Direct, IVIS, document search system that is accessible to students. Current Contents, Medline, Search Systems of Croatian Libraries via Internet
The library is open for users from 08:00 to 16:00 weekdays, and it offers the following information and documentation services:
- selection and acquisition of library stock - general information in the field of veterinary medicine - retrospective search
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- interlibrary loans - individual user education - information services through e-mail, and Library Internet pages - SDI services (Selective Dissemination of Information) - access to other data bases through the Center for online databases, Institute Rudjer Bošković (10 biomedical databases) - access to data bases through the Internet (IVIS, Science Direct, CAB, PubMed) - Internet access through a 2 MB link with CARNet (Croatian Academic and Research Network) with 12 possible computer work places. Currently there are 3 computers for student access. - computer cataloguing - cooperation with medical libraries nationally and internationally, Croatian National and University Library, libraries covering the field of natural sciences, Zagreb public libraries - photocopying service - individual user education - elective course: Introduction to the scientific study (part of the curriculum)
Library stock consists of 27773 volumes. Student library stock consists of 888 titles and 12868 volumes. Most of it (2951 titles, 23159 volumes) is electronically catalogued, to provide a better search and borrowing services. The library stock is constantly being renewed by recent Croatian and foreign publications (purchasing, donations e.g. SABRE foundation and publications of Faculty staff). We would like to emphasize the role of student organisation "Equus" owing to which "1st Veterinary book fair – Vetliber 2002" was organised. During the Fair, 146 books from the field of veterinary medicine were acquired through donations from various veterinary and other organisations. Library also offers a referential collection consisting of veterinary medical and other dictionaries, handbooks, encyclopaedias, bibliographies, symposia and congresses proceedings as well as monographies.
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Subsidiary libraries of the establishment
The Faculty has 23 departmental libraries. Weekdays, students have access to all of these facilities and their library stock. These libraries are run by departmental teaching and support staff, with the help of the Main library staff. Currently, the Main library does not provide insight into the departmental libraries' stock, except for journals. Cataloguisation of subsidiary library stock is in process.
8.2: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
In addition to information technology facilities in the Main library at the Faculty, there is also a Computer room (in Department of Animal Husbandry) with 20 work places connected to the Faculty computer network. Besides being a learning resource used in regular tuition (courses: Informatics, Statistics), computer room is open for students to facilitate their self learning.
The Library is an active member of CARNet (Croatian Academic and Research Network), NISKA (National Information Library System), System of Scientific Information, Republic of Croatia – Biomedical section, and it is registered with the Library register of the city of Zagreb. Through the programme, the Biomedical section of the Scientific Information System, of the Republic of Croatia, the Library is presently in process of transferring the existing stock into a computer data basis which will provide easier access to information. As a part of the project, the journal stock is transferred into a separate data basis which will provide Internet access to all biomedical journals of 32 biomedical libraries in Croatia.
In addition to written materials, library stock also includes a limited stock of CD-ROMs and video cassettes. Since there are no video facilities available in the Library, video cassettes can be borrowed and played at the departments which provide such facilities. In future, Library is planning to offer a work place with TV and VCR unit. The Faculty provides six multimedia projectors (3 fixed and 3 mobile units). Three lecture halls are equipped with a VCR unit connected to a projector, allowing video presentations in addition to computer presentations. In these lecture halls, video cassettess with a material recorded at the Faculty clinics or at the other universities can
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be played. Clinical lecture room is connected to the cameras in surgery room, allowing surgical procedures to be viewed at the time they are in progress. All projectors are of at least 800 ANSI Lux of power and SVGA or XGA resolution. There are still few lecture halls that need to be equipped with multimedia systems, which are planned to be arranged in the near future. (a) Audio-visual service - is this specific to the veterinary training establishment? Yes - is this common to two or more establishments? Yes
Number of full-time employees All library staff Full time equivalents of part time employees / Total number of videocassettes available 20 Total number of videocassettes that have been produced by 3 the services in the past 5 years Yes (dislocated at the Is there a viewing room? lecturing rooms) If so, indicate: - the number of places 3 lecture rooms - the number of hours it is open each week 40 - the opening hours: Weekdays Weekends during term-time 9-16 closed during vacations 9-16 closed
(a) Computer service - is this specific to the veterinary training establishment? Yes - is this common to two or more establishments? Yes Number of full-time employees 1 at the library Full time equivalents of part time employees 1 at the Internal Diseases Clinic with Chair for Kinology 5 hours per week Number of computers available in the service: 25 - less than three years old 8 - more than three years old 17 Do students have free access to these computers for their Yes own use Is there a computer room for self-use by students ? Yes if there is, please indicate - the number of places 20 - the opening hours - during term-time 08:15-14:30 - during vacations - Does the service/department provide teaching in the use Yes (subject: Veterinary of computers ? informatics)
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2. COMMENTS
Library:
The available books and journals supply is quite sufficient. The library stock is renewed in accordance with the present finances. At the Vet Liber 2002 fair that was organised by a student organisation "Equus", 149 top veterinary titles were donated to the Library. Also, the Library is occasionally donated books by Sabre foundation. The library staff consists of 4 full time employees: 1 chief librarian (DVM, MSc, State library exam) - information-librarian services 1 librarian (DVM) - informatical services, multimedia presentations 2 assistant librarians - library administrative and cataloguing services 1 cleaner Current number of employees can’t adequately satisfy needs of students and the Faculty staff. The present library staff is constantly improving their professional knowledge by attending courses, seminars and symposia.
IT facilities:
Presently, there is still no organised support of self-learning approach. First step has been made by a number of lectures that have put their teaching materials on Faculty web site or on Faculty intranet, thus enabling students to have access to those materials from home computer or computer room at the Faculty. Students recognise the benefits of computer aided education as a valuable additional help in their studies.
3. SUGGESTIONS
In order to improve present conditions the following points have to be fullfield: - at least four computers should be purchased - a TV set, and a VCR should be acquired for audio visual services department - professional CD-ROM educational materials should be acquired
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- due to the increasing needs of the students and Faculty staff, there is a need for a more/numerous qualified personnel in library and informatics' services - there is also a need for establishing a separate informatical department to provide improved services and equipment quality.
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Chapter 9 ADMISSION AND ENROLMENT
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
9.1: STUDENT NUMBERS
Table 9.1.1: Undergraduate student composition
a. Total number of undergraduate students 565 b. Male students 295 c. Female students 270 d. Nationals - Croatian 546 - Serb 11 - Muslim 2 - Albanian 1 - Czech 1 - Hungarian 1 - German 1 - Italian 1 e. Foreign students 1 - from EU countries - from non-EU countries 1 f. 1st year students 155 g 2nd year students 85 h. 3rd year students 115 i. 4th year students 103 j. 5th year students 107 k. 6th year students l. 7th, or subsequent year students m students not in any specific year undergraduates ABD (All But Degree) who have completed their courses less than 2 years ago 222* undergraduates ABD who have completed their courses more than 2 years ago 546**
* , ** Students at "m" are not calculated in sum a = f+g+h+i+j+k+l+m because they do not participate in the teaching process but just take examinations.
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Table 9.1.2: Postgraduate student composition
n. Total number of postgraduate students 162 o. Male students 98 p. Female students 64 q. Nationals - Croatian 158 - Bosnian 1 - Czech 1 - Jew 1 - uncommitted 1 r. Foreign students - from EU countries - from non-EU countries s. 1st year students 76 t. 2nd year students 86 u. 3rd year students v. 4th year students w. 5th, or subsequent, year students
The total number of students in the establishment (a + n): 727
9.2 STUDENT ADMISSION
Admission requirements: completion of secondary school, entrance examination (knowledge of Physics, Chemistry and Biology is tested).
Out of 194 applicants 113 successfully passed entrance examination.
Knowledge variability: majority of applicants are from secondary schools – gymnasium and from Veterinary Secondary schools.
Starting knowledge is very variable: veterinary schools – more practical experience; gymnasium – better theoretical knowledge.
Number of the students enrolled in first year is limited by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology which approves 130 students to enroll in the first year: 70 students are government funded, 55 students financially support themselves, and 5 students are from abroad.
Applicants are ranked according to their: school grades + entrance exam results + additional grades.
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Applicants who during their secondary schooling won one of the first three places at the state competitions in Physics, Chemistry and Biology are given 20 extra points (additional grades).
Students from other faculties who haven't taken entrance exam may enroll undergraduate studies under certain conditions. This applies to the students from other veterinary faculties or faculties of biomedical orientation who have met all enrollment requirements for the subsequent school year at their own faculty. In such cases approval to the applicants to study at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb is given by the Vice Dean for education on the proposal of the Committee for undergraduate studies and students issues.
Student flow: There have been dramatic changes in the number of students studying on the Faculty. In the seventies and eighties the number of students was rather high, and varied between 250 and 500. After Croatia has gained its independence, the number of students has been reduced and in the past ten years it has been around 140 (per year). Considering the livestock fund the number of veterinary medicine students might still be too high. However, in the future we do not expect decrease in livestock supply as Republic of Croatia intends to renew and increase it production in order to satisfy rather high demands for milk and meat.
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Table 9.2: Intake of veterinary students
number admitted number ‘standard’ intake year applying other entry for state private mode admission funded funded
2001 232 72 64 2 coming from 2000 195 74 58 other faculty 1999 248 76 59 3 coming from 1998 244 74 55 other faculty 1997 251 80 53 1996 - a 232 83 61 6 coming from Faculty of 1995 218 61 67 Veterinary Medicine in Sarajevo 11 coming from Faculty 1994 260 123 of Veterinary Medicine in Sarajevo 9 coming from Faculty of 1993 285 169 Veterinary Medicine in Sarajevo 61 coming from Faculty 1992 290 176 59 of Veterinary Medicine in Sarajevo
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9.3: STUDENT FLOW
Table 9.3.1: Student flow
Of the students whose admission year was 1996 (number a. in Table 9.2) how many are at present (five years later) in the:
b. 1st year 2 c. 2nd year 3 d. 3rd year 10 e. 4th year 21 f. 5th year 65 g. how many have graduated 0 h. how many have dropped out or been asked to leave. 32 i. how many are not in any identifiable year 0
Difference of 11 students given in sum a = b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i (a = 144) are those students that abandon study on Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Table 9.3.2: Number of students graduating annually (from undergraduate training) over the past five years:
Year Number graduating j. 2001. 149 2000. 132 1999. 155 1998. 203 1997. 195
Table 9.3.3: Average duration of studies
Duration of attendance number k. 4 years 0 l. 5 years 0 m 6 years 4 n. 7 years 28 o. 8 years 28 p. 9 years 28 q. 10 - 13 years 36 r. more than 13 years 25
Average duration of studies of the students who 10.0 graduated in year 2001
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Requirements for progressing to a subsequent year of the course:
To enroll in the second year of studies (third semester) students must pass the following exams: Physic and Biophysics for Veterinarians, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology.
To enroll in the third year of studies (fifth semester) the following exams must be passed: Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Veterinary Immunology, Microbiology, Physiology, and all elective and optional subjects taken in the first year of studies.
To enroll in the sixth semester the exams required to be passed are the following: Physiology and Pathology of Animal Nutrition and Technology of Animal Production and Breeding.
To enroll in the fourth year of study (seventh semester) the exams required to be passed are the following: General Pathology and Pathological Morphology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, elective and optional subjects taken in the second year of studies.
To enroll in the eighth semester the exams required to be passed are the following: Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases and Animal Hygiene, Environment and Ethology.
To enroll in the fifth year (ninth semester) of studies, student must pass the following examinations: Internal Diseases of Domestic Animals, General and Clinical Radiology, Methods of Physical Therapy and Diagnostic, Radiobiology, and elective and optional subjects taken in the third year of studies.
Establishment would oblige students to leave course if: 1. They sit for the same examinations for eight times and do not pass it 2. They don't graduate six academic years after they have completed all their courses.
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2. COMMENTS
As it has already been mentioned student flow has changed during the past years dramatically, from 250 to 500 in seventies and eighties to the present 140. Such a number of students admitted seems adequate considering the capacities of the Faculty which should allow for regular tuition, both in the form of lectures and practical work.
However, the number of teachers has not been reduced on account of the limited enrollment. The conditions of studying in all subjects have been significantly improved. In particular, special care has been taken of the quality of practical work.
3. SUGGESTIONS
We are not completely satisfied with present situation concerning number of admitted students and duration of study. As we mention before, number of about 140 first year students may still be too high considering the present livestock fund, but the future needs for veterinarians in the Republic of Croatia should follow the national intends to increase livestock number and production.
Duration of study is prolonged especially in last 10-years period, what is partly consequence of war in Croatia. We hope that this duration can be reduced because of:
- new regulations of study, undergraduates who have completed their courses must finish their study for six years
- all students can sit for an exam for four times (after that they attend that course again, and if they do not pass their exam in another four times, they lose rights to study on Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb.
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Chapter 10 ACADEMIC AND SUPPORT STAFF
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
Table10.1: Personnel in the establishment
Non- Budgeted Total budgeted posts (FTE) (FTE) posts (FTE) 1. Academic staff a) Teaching staff 114* b) Research staff 39** c) Others (please specify) d) Total academic staff 153 2. Support staff responsible for the care and e) 55 treatment of animals responsible for the preparation f) of practical and clinical teaching. responsible for administration, g) general services, maintenance, 80 etc. h) engaged in research work i) others (please specify) j) Total support staff 135 3. Total staff (d + j) 288
* members of teaching staff with scientific/teaching grades, auxiliary teaching grades, senior (foreign) language instructors and senior coach
** members of research staff with scientific grades (n=5) and young researchers- postgraduates (n=34). Their participation in teaching process is very variable according to the individual department/clinic plan
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Table 10.2: Allocation of personnel to the various departments
Academic staff Support staff Full Assist Ass. Other Techn./anim. carers Department of Assistant Admi prof. prof.. prof. Teaching Research general 1 2 n./ Biology 1 1 2 1 +6 1 1 Physics and Biophysics 1 1/2 1 Chemistry and Biochemistry 1 2 1 2
Anatomy, Histology 1 2 and Embryology 5 1 1 1 1 +4 6 2 3 Physiology and 1 1 2 12 2 2 Radiobiology 1 Animal Nutrition 1 2 1 1 1 Microbiology and 2 Infectious Diseases 1 1 3 22 5 6 with Clinic 3 Animal Husbandry 2 1 2 11 1 1
Pharmacology and 2 Toxicology 3 2 2 1 1 General Pathology and Pathological 3 1 1 22 2 3 Morphology
Parasitology and 1 Parasitic Diseases 1 1 3 1 1 2 2 Patophysiology 1 3 2 1 1 Biology and Pathology of Bees 1 1 1 1 2 and Fish Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostics and 2 1 2 2 Physical Therapy Animal Hygiene, Environment and 2 1 1 32 1 1 Ethology Hygiene and Technology of Foodstuffs of Animal 1 2 2 2 2 Origin 1 2 Poultry Diseases 2 1 +3 1 1
table continuation on next page
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continuation of table 10.2 Academic staff Support staff Department of Full Assist. Ass. Other Techn./anim. carers Admin./ Assistant prof. prof. prof. Teaching Research general Humanities in Vet. Profession - Chair for Vet. Economics 1 1 - Chair for Vet. 2 Medicine History 1 1 - Chair for Sociology of Vet. Profession 1
- Chair for Foreign 3 Languages 2 - Chair for Physical 4 Training 1 Forensic and Judicial Vet. Medicine 1 1 1/2 1 Clinic for
Internal Diseases with Chair for 2 2 2 3 42 6 3 Kinology
Surgery, Orthopaedics and 2 1 7 8 1 Ophthalmology
Reproduction and 3 2 3 32 4 3 Obstetrics
Mobile 11 members of academic staff have 7 1 been mentioned as the staff of Clinics
Chair of Game Biology, Pathology and 1 1 12 Breeding
Library 4
Secretary's 36 Office
TOTAL 37 18 15 44 42 55 80
Other: 1 Scientists, 2 Young researchers, 3 Senior (foreign) language instructor, 4 Senior coach
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Table 10.3: Personnel responsible for undergraduate teaching
A. Number of budgeted teaching staff involved in undergraduate teaching 114 B. Number of research staff involved in undergraduate teaching 39* C. Total number of personnel responsible for undergraduate teaching (A + B) 114
* not included in total number of personnel responsible for undergraduate teaching. See the explanation of table 10.1
Ratio: teaching staff/undergraduate students
number of teaching staff 114 1 = = number of undergraduate students 565 4.96
Ratio: teaching staff/support staff
number of teaching staff 114 1 = = number of support staff 135 1.18
On the proposal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Ministry of Science and Technology decides about the allocation to and within Faculty. After getting Ministry approval, the process of Appointments ( The Higher Education Law, Article 92-99 ) to scientific/teaching, auxiliary teaching and scientific grades is carried out on the basis of public competition. Teaching staff can be appointed to scientific/teaching grades (assistant professor, associate professor and full professor), auxiliary teaching grades (expert associate, junior assistant, assistant and senior assistant) and to scientific grades (scientific associate, senior scientific associate and scientific adviser). Faculty may, with prior approval of Ministry of Science and Technology, conclude a labour contract with a master and doctoral degree candidates in the capacity of young researchers within a scientific research project for the purpose of their scientific training (The Scientific Research Activities Law, article 54). Members of the support staff are employed by public competition published in daily press or advertised on employment agency.
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In general, the employment is being burdened with administrative procedures (permissions, consents and approvals). Teaching staff fixed term appointment is detrimental for the smooth and efficient running of the Faculty, particularly with respect to employees who are in the final year of their contract. Due to the limited budget there is a continuous problem of auxiliary teaching staff overemployment. In addition, it is not possible to employ staff from the Faculty service income. The problem is partially solved by young researchers who are, besides their scientific research, actively engaged in teaching. Members of the teaching staff, auxiliary teaching staff and scientist, employed at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb can, with prior approval from the dean, work for another employer but the duration of this outside work should not exceed one third of a full-time employment (The Higher Education Law, Article 102). The member's outside activities are permitted provided that the other employment does not interfere with the duties at the Faculty.
The Faculty has no special budget to support attending scientific conferences. Still, some financial resources are provided from research projects or through various sponsorships.
Full professors are, after six years of performing their work, entitled to take up to twelve month long leave to a study year-sabbatical. A full professor is, during his/her study year, entitled to receive a salary according to his/her position.
2. COMMENTS
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb has a total of 288 budgeted full-time posts. As it can be seen from tables 10.1 and 10.2 around 53 % is academic staff among whom there are 37 full professors, 18 assistant professors, 15 associated professors and 44 assistants. Among the category “other”, 81.0% are young researchers employed on temporary basis (within scientific research projects). Most members (89%) of the academic staff are veterinarians.
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Through past decades the overall number of academic and support staff has been relatively constant. At present, we are strongly trying to improve practical work with small groups of students. For this reason in some departments and in the majority of clinics, the teachers: students ratio is unsatisfactory or even deficient. Considering the normal departure of some full professors who are going to reach the foreseen terms for retirement in the next few years, more auxiliary teaching staff should be employed. Recently this has been a problem as, because of the budget cuts by the Government, most of the Ministry of Science and Technology approvals for employment are directed to the appointment of scientific/teaching grades. Presently, salary levels seem to be of secondary interest for those competing for a job at Faculty. As for all civil servants, the Faculty staff salary scales are defined by the Government. Although it is difficult to precisely determine the salaries of veterinarians in private sector, they are estimated to be approximately 10-20% higher than salaries of those working at the Faculty. In spite of this, there is a sufficient number of applicants at almost all job competitions since there is high rate of unemployed veterinarians in Croatia.
3. SUGGESTIONS
Successors of professors should be guaranteed. Depending upon the demands of the curriculum, the Faculty should be able to employ external lecturers. Postgraduate students (young researchers) should be more used as part-time teaching personnel, particularly in subjects under pressure of high student numbers. Some of the work currently carried out by support staff could usefully be devolved to the students, as an early element of their practical training. International links in the teaching and research fields should be permanently strengthen and professors exchange among faculties should become a rule.
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Chapter 11 CONTINUING EDUCATION
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
11.1: CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES HELD AT THE ESTABLISHMENT
Different forms of continuing education mainly represent shorter special courses and workshops in the field of small and large animal medicine, herd health, animal husbandry and animal hygiene. Participating at such courses, workshops and symposiums is considered to satisfy one of the several conditions necessary for getting a concession or a license, particularly if organised in cooperation with the Croatian Veterinary Chamber. In the period from 1997 to 2001 teaching and research staff of the Faculty often took part in extra-mural continuing education programmes. They have been invited to give lectures for graduate veterinarians, mostly by Veterinary Chamber, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Republic of Croatia, Croatian Academy of Science and Art and veterinary and various societies. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has no budget for this activity. In the mentioned period teaching and research staff (Committee for postgraduate teaching and continuing education) organised continuing education sessions either at the Faculty or in other institutions for approximately 3271 persons with total number of 1336 hours. List of the most important sessions and relevant details on continuing education activities of the Faculty are given in tables below:
Table 11.1.1. Courses organised by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 year
Total Number of number of Title of course: participants hours of the course Y E A R 1997. APPLIED DESINFECTION, DESINSECTION AND 27 50 DERATISATION COURSE VETERINARY HYGIENISTS AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 42 15 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL 14 12 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL 16 12
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PRINCIPLES OF HACCP CONCEPT IN THE YEAR 97 58 20 PRINCIPLES OF HACCP CONCEPT FOR ANIMAL ORIGIN 50 8 FOODSTUFFS DURING PRODUCTION AND ON THE MARKET TRICHINELLOSIS DIAGNOSTICS 40 8 PRINCIPLES OF HACCP CONCEPT FOR ANIMAL ORIGIN 31 16 FOODSTUFFS DURING PRODUCTION AND ON THE MARKET ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY 16 10 Y E A R 1998 APPLIED DESINFECTION, DESINSECTION AND 12 50 DERATISATION COURSE VETERINARY HYGIENISTS AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 22 15 VETERINARY HYGIENISTS AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 28 15 POULTRY EGGS AND MEAT IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS 50 8 DOG AND CAT ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY 7 10 PRINCIPLES OF HACCP CONCEPT IN THE YEAR 98 50 8 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL 27 12 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL 21 12 MEDITERANIAN FOOD AND HEALTH 60 8 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF "FOOD LAW" IN EU 60 8 IMPROVING MILK HYGIENE AND QUALITY DURING 14 18 PRODUCTION ON THE FAMILY HOUSEHOLD DOMESTIC ANIMAL DERMATOPHYTOSES/ DIAGNOSTICS 8 12 AND THERAPY ANIMAL NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY 34 30 RUMINANT METABOLIC DISTURBANCES 15 8 15 2 1. DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY FARM SERVICES
2. RUMINANT METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN FARM 50 2 PRODUCTION
3. FARM COW PRODUCTION PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES 50 2 4. DAIRY COW KETOSIS 50 2 ABOMASAL DISPLACEMENT 50 2 DOMESTIC ANIMAL DERMATOPHYTOSES / DIAGNOSTICS 5 12 AND THERAPY DOMESTIC ANIMAL DERMATOPHYTOSES / DIAGNOSTICS 18 12 AND THERAPY DOMESTIC ANIMAL DERMATOPHYTOSES / DIAGNOSTICS 14 12 AND THERAPY DOMESTIC ANIMAL DERMATOPHYTOSES / DIAGNOSTICS 17 12 AND THERAPY DOG AND CAT ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY 7 10 35 2 1. DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY FARM SERVICES
2. RUMINANT METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN FARM 60 2 PRODUCTION
3. FARM COW PRODUCTION PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES 60 2 4. DAIRY COW KETOSIS 60 2 ABOMASAL DISPLACEMENT 50 2 ANIMAL NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY 15 30 TRICHINELLOSIS DIAGNOSTICS 40 8 TRICHINELLOSIS DIAGNOSTICS 40 8 TRICHINELLOSIS DIAGNOSTICS 40 8 TRICHINELLOSIS DIAGNOSTICS 30 8 DOMESTIC ANIMAL DERMATOPHYTOSES / DIAGNOSTICS 8 128 AND THERAPY DOG AND CAT ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY 3 10 ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE 28 8
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1. RUMINANT METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN FARM 50 2 PRODUCTION
2. FARM COW PRODUCTION PROPHYILACTIC MEASURES 50 2 3. DAIRY COW KETOSIS 50 2 ABOMASAL DISPLACEMENT 50 2 Y E A R 1999 DOMESTIC ANIMAL DERMATOPHYTOSES / DIAGNOSTICS 8 12 AND THERAPY APPLIED DESINFECTION, DESINSECTION AND 33 50 DERATISATION COURSE VETERINARY HYGIENISTS AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 47 15 UDDER HEALTH, MILKING HYGIENE, MASTITIS 20 10 INFERTILITY CONTROL ON FAMILY FARMS 32 18 INFERTILITY CONTROL ON FAMILY FARMS 13 18
1. RUMINANT METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN FARM 44 2 PRODUCTION
2. FARM COW PRODUCTION PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES 44 2 3. DAIRY COW KETOSIS 44 2 ABOMASAL DISPLACEMENT 50 2 HOUSEHOLD MILK PRODUCTION IN FUNCTION OF THE 60 8 STATE DEVELOPMENT DOG CARDIOLOGY 7 10 UDDER HEALTH, MILKING HYGIENE, MASTITIS 20 10 VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY IN SMALL ANIMAL 8 8 PRACTICE INFERTILITY CONTROL ON FAMILY FARMS 11 12 ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE 20 8 CONTROL OF ECONOMICALLY RELEVANT SHEEP AND 20 16 GOAT DISEASES
RUMINANT METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN FARM 1. 20 2 PRODUCTION 2. FARM COW PRODUCTION PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES 20 2 3. DAIRY COW KETOSIS 20 2 ABOMASAL DISPLACEMENT 40 2 VETERINARY HEALTH CONTROL AND CHECK UP ASPECTS 75 18 AT THE FRONTIER INFERTILITY CONTROL ON FAMILY FARMS 11 12 INFERTILITY CONTROL ON FAMILY FARMS 14 8 DOMESTIC ANIMAL ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY 15 10 DIAGNOSTICS DOG AND CAT ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY 6 10 DOG AND CAT ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY 7 10 VETERINARY HYGIENISTS AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 16 15 DOG CARDIOLOGY 7 10 TRICHINELLOSIS DIAGNOSTICS AND CONTROL 20 8 INFERTILITY CONTROL ON FAMILY FARMS 27 20 Y E A R 2000 APPLIED DESINFECTION, DESINSECTION AND 31 50 DERATISATION COURSE PET BIRDS DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT 17 10 VETERINARY HYGIENISTS AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 15 15 UDDER DISEASES 32 8 MARES REPRODUCTION PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY 24 10 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL 10 24
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AUTOCHTHONOUS MILK PRODUCTS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA 70 8 ECONOMICS AND PROMOTION UDDER DISEASES 11 8 VETERINARY HYGIENIST AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 10 15 TRICHINELLOSCOPY 80 8 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL AND MASTITIS 10 8 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL 29 14 TRICHINELLOSIS 20 8
Table 11.1.2: Courses organised by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb in the preceding year
Y E A R 2001 APPLIED DESINFECTION, DESINSECTION AND 20 50 DERATISATION COURSE VETERINARY HYGIENIST AND DESINFECTORS COURSE 36 15 COW INFERTILITY CONTROL 16 10 TICKS AND DOG AND CAT TICKBORNE DISEASES 36 12 TRICHINELLOSIS POSTMORTAL DIAGNOSTICS 16 8 VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY IN SMALL ANIMAL 6 8 PRACTICE – ENDOPARASITES TRIHINELLOSCOPY 15 8 TRICHINELLOSIS POSTMORTAL DIAGNOSTICS 12 8 VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY IN LARGE ANIMAL 5 8 PRACTICE TRICHINELLOSIS SEROLOGICAL AND POSTMORTAL 15 8 DIAGNOSTICS TRICHINELLOSIS POSTMORTAL DIAGNOSTICS 12 8 TRICHINELLOSIS POSTMORTAL DIAGNOSTICS 12 8 VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY IN SMALL ANIMAL 7 8 PRACTICE – ENDOPARASITES
Severel courses were organised by outside bodies in close cooperation with the Faculty staff. They were however not held in the Faculty area but mainly in hotels’ lecture halls. These courses were sponsored mainly by food and farmaceutical companies (Merial Zagreb, 1999; Merial and Hill’s – Zagreb, 2000; Merial and Waltham – Zagreb, 2001; Merial 2000; IAMS, 1999 - "Nutritional Management of Gastro Intestinal Disease" and "Helicobacteriosis", "Chronic Renal Failure in Dog" and "FLUTD"; IAMS, 2000 - "Basics of Cardiology" and "ABC of Reanimation", "Periodontal Disease" and "Practice Management"; IAMS, 2001 – "Neurology", "Neurosurgery", "Rtg Diagnostics", Cardiology", "Large Breed Dog Nutrition".
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Table 11.1.3: Courses organised at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb by outside bodies in the most recent year
Number of Total number of Title of course participants hours of the course Dairy Society - SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL MEATING – MILK PRODUCTION AND MILK 40 8 PRODUCTS Croatian Academy of Science and Art- IMPROVING HYGIENE AND QUALITY OF MILK DURING 43 18 PRODUCTION ON THE FAMILY HOUSEHOLD Croatian Academy of Science and Art - CROATIAN AUTOCHTHONOUS FOOD PRODUCTS IN THE 50 8 TOURISM AND ADVERTISING OF CROATIA
Every year, interesting special programmes for undergraduate, postgraduate students and doctors of veterinary medicine are organised on problems of infectious diseases, health protection and nutrition, particularly of small animals every year. These seminars, also mainly sponsored by big pet food producers – Hill’s, Waltham, Eukanuba etc. or by pharmaceutical industry, are professionally independent and non- commercial, and include visiting lecturers from different countries. Small animal society of Croatian Veterinary Chamber intensively involved our Faculty lecturer in courses held during the last two years.
11.2: DISTANCE LEARNING (INCLUDING VIA INTERNET)
STAFF PARTICIPATION IN EXTRAMURAL CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
Together with the courses held at the Faculty, the members of the faculty staff organise or attend different symposia, congresses, colloquia etc. Every autumn period scientific meetings, dealing with the most actual problems of veterinary profession including education, are organised in cooperation with the Croatian Veterinary Chamber (Veterinary Days 1999, Scientific professional conference with international participation, Opatija, 13-17 October 1999; Second Croatian Veterinary Congress with International Participation, Cavtat, 10-13 October 2000; Veterinary Days 2001, Scientific professional conference with international participation, Opatija, 17-20 October 2001). The members of the academic staff of the Veterinary Faculty are invited to present lectures at these meetings and to chair scientific and professional sessions.
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The Croatian Veterinary Chamber also organises various continuing education programmes or lectures each year (part of these is shown in table 1) in which the staff of Veterinary Faculty are included – having the leading role. These presently running programmes are recognised by the Chamber and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
2. COMMENTS
The main incentive for increasing activities in the area of continuing education was privatisation of veterinary services in Croatia and setting the conditions which had to be satisfied. Slowly but progressively, the interest of graduate veterinarians in continuing education and further studies increased. Trying to meet these needs, the Faculty organised research and engaged teaching staff in the field of postgraduate education. Also, the main reason for many participants to join the sessions was introducing the conditions for acquiring a license. Besides the described continuing education activity, the Faculty carries out postgraduate studies leading to MSc or PhD diplomas. For the reasons mentioned above the number of participants in the recent years also have increased. Details on further studies conducted at the Faculty are given in Chapter 12. At present, there are no direct intership or residency programmes available. Ministry of Science and Technology together with Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Croatian Veterinary Institute employ students (within the range of 10% best graded students for particular year) on Faculty and Institute researchers' projects. In the year 1999, 20 such students were employed and in 2000, 27 of them. In the year 2001, 34 students were employed. In the course of these three years, 11 previously employed students successfully achieved their MSc degree and 12 have finished their PhD degree studies.
Quality monitoring of continuing education was mostly performed by students who have answered the questions in the questionnaires, and by applied statistical observations at the level of departments. The results were discussed at the faculty level but no affirmative actions were taken. The discussion represented only a mild means for
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quality comparison. No strict measures were undertaken and no systematic planning of the continuing education programme has been introduced. Systematic approach is however necessary, because the number of the proposed topics is growing.
3. SUGGESTIONS
The tutorial and educational (continuing and postgraduate) involvement of internationally recognised specialists must be continued to a higher extent. Within the framework of VetNEST – the regional association of the veterinary schools in Brno, Budapest, Košice, Ljubljana, Vienna, Wroclaw and Zagreb – the cooperation of guest lectures in postgraduate and continuing education courses is expected. As mentioned, at present, there are no direct intership or residency programmes available at our Faculty. Ministry of Science and Technology together with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Croatian Veterinary Institute should join their efforts to establish basic conditions to enable students to continue their education in the form of residency programme. It would be worth trying to establish a closer cooperation on a regional basis (within the range of faculties with similar conditions) in order to organise particular residency programmes involving more faculties. Thus, the faculty achieving the best results in some field should put the most effort in organising a particular residency programme.
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Chapter 12 POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
12.1: POSTGRADUATE CLINICAL TRAINING (INTERNS AND RESIDENTS)
Table 12.1.1: Postgraduate clinical training courses
We have not this type of postgraduate study.
Overall organisation of postgraduate study
As a rule, the postgraduate scientific study is organised to include required and elective courses, and it operates according to a point-system. It can be designed as a masters and doctoral study or exclusively as a masters study.
Structure of Postgraduate Studies at the Veterinary Faculty of Zagreb University Research study Vocational study Masters Doctoral semester semester semester I I I II II II III III III / IV IV IV Professional paper Masters thesis V + IV / V, VI VI Doctoral thesis (dissertation)
Postgraduate vocational studies have a duration of 3 or 4 semesters, depending on the complexity of the programme. The masters research study lasts 4 semesters and the doctoral study takes 6 semesters. In order to earn their doctorates, candidates who have acquired their masters degree take two additional semesters during which they attend
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courses and pass exams from the fourth or fifth and sixth semesters of the doctoral study.
Enrolment in the postgraduate research, preparation, registration and defence of master’s and doctoral theses
Eligible candidates for the masters research study include all persons who have completed the Veterinary Faculty or any related faculty with a grade point average of 3.50 (or at least 3.00, with recommendations from two teachers) or persons who have completed a postgraduate vocational study. Eligible candidates for the doctoral study include all persons who have completed the Veterinary Faculty with a minimum grade point average of 4.00 or persons who have earned a masters degree. Persons with masters enrol in the fifth and sixth semester of the doctoral study. Courses which they take as a part of their doctoral study comply with the topics of their doctoral theses. The study is completed with the preparation and defence of a master’s or doctoral thesis. Once a thesis is registered, the Faculty Senate, at the proposal of the Committee for research and scientific work, appoints an expert commission to assess the candidate and the topic in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Educational Institutions Law, the University Bylaws and the Faculty Bylaws.
Courses
The basic feature of the postgraduate research study is its scientific teaching content that covers a wide area of veterinary disciplines and its adaptability to the topic of each masters or doctoral thesis. The courses offered within the postgraduate research study can be classified into three groups.
Group I Group I includes general required and elective courses which constitute a foundation for the overall study programme and are taken by students of all majors. These are the principal subjects of biomedical science and subjects which provide a grounding for research work. Regarding the grades required for the registration of a masters or doctoral thesis, the courses within this group contribute with a minimum of 10 points.
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They account for 20% to 25% of the total number of lecture hours in the masters programme and 15% to 20% of the total number of hours in the doctoral study programme.
Group II This group consists of required and elective courses within specific majors. Required courses are particularly important for specific majors and provide students with a theoretical understanding of most of the scientific problems covered by masters and doctoral theses. Elective subjects supplement the study programme providing students with an opportunity to acquire knowledge in accordance with their interests. They also offer underlying theoretical support for the selection of topics from a wider research area.
Group III This group includes courses which students can select from any major if they need to do so with a view to preparing their final theses, or if they wish or are inclined to study these subjects. These courses can be either comprehensive or cover just one part of a scientific discipline. This group also includes courses offered under organised vocational studies. Thus, courses offered by all majors are available to each student.
Course grading
The curriculum for the postgraduate research study provides a grade value to each study subject. The minimum number of points required for the registration of masters or doctoral theses is strictly defined and differs for each major. In principle, students score one (1) point for every 10 hours (lectures, exercises, seminars).
Teachers and associates; teaching methodology
Courses are conducted by teachers and researchers of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb University as well as teachers and researchers from other faculties and scientific and research institutions in Croatia. Basic teaching methods include lectures, seminars and practical work in clinics and laboratories. Practical work is performed in the form of exercises, demonstration,
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participation in experiments, etc. Through practical work, students can gain first-hand knowledge of problems related to particular subjects and master modern methodologies. Practical work may include exercises, demonstrations, participation in experiments and so forth. Seminars can account for a maximum of 50% of training.
12.2: TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE COURSES
Table 12.2.1: Taught postgraduate courses (2000/2001)
Number enrolled
students Duration of Full time Part time training (a) Diploma level (discipline) - - - (b) Masters level (discipline) 1.Theriogenology of domestic animals 4 sem. 2 14 2.Microbiology and epizootiology 3 sem. 0 0 3.Pathology and breeding of domestic 4 sem. 0 22 carnivores 4.Pathology and therapy of domestic 4 sem. 0 5 ungulates 5.Production and health protection of pigs 4 sem. 0 1 6.Sanitation 3 sem. 0 13 7.Biology and pathology of hunting game 4 sem. 1 5 8.Internal diseases of domestic animals 4 sem. 0 0 9.Breeding and pathology of laboratory 4 sem. 0 0 animals 10.Veterinary sanitary control of 4 sem. 0 6 foodstuffs of animal origin
Auxiliary teaching staff and young researchers have salary from the Faculty and/or Ministry of Science and Technology. Some of postgraduates, coming from private praxis, farms etc., and have salary, the other (unemployed) students do not have salary.
Some of trainings are tipical clinical postgraduate trainigs (number: 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 in Table 12.2.1) and such training follow 37.52 % of graduating students.
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12.3: POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
Table 12.3. Postgraduate research training programmes (2000/2001)
Number enrolled (a) Masters Level students Duration of Discipline Full time Part time training 1.Anatomy, histology and embryology 4.sem 3 0 2.Animal hygiene enviroment and ethology 4.sem 4 1 3.Biology and pathology of bees 4.sem 0 0 4.Veterinary economics 4.sem 0 1 5.Physiology and pathology of poultry 4.sem 0 1 6.Hygiene and tehnology of foodstuffs of 4.sem 2 12 animal origin 7.Ichtiopathology 4.sem 0 1 8.Surgery,orthopedics and ophtalmology 4.sem 2 6 with radiological and ultrasound diagnostic 9.Microbiology and epizootiology 4.sem 1 4 10.Parasitology 4.sem 0 1 11.Pathological anatomy 4.sem 1 3 12.Internal diseases of domestic animal 4.sem 4 1 13.Physiology of domestic animals 4.sem 2 1 14.Theriogenology of domestic animals 4.sem 4 7 Number enrolled (b) PhD level students Duration of Discipline Full time Part time training 1.Anatomy,histology and embriology (a) + 2 sem 0 0 2.Animal hygiene enviroment and ethology (a) + 2 sem 0 0 3.Biology and pathology of bees (a) + 2 sem 0 0 4.Veterinary economics (a) + 2 sem 0 0 5.Physiology and pathology of poultry (a) + 2 sem 0 0 6.Hygiene and tehnology of foodstuffs of (a) + 2 sem 1 0 animal origin 7.Ichtiopathology (a) + 2 sem 0 1 8.Surgery,orthopedics and ophtalmology (a) + 2 sem 0 0 with radiological and ultrasound diagnostic 9.Microbiology and epizootiology (a) + 2 sem 0 0 10.Parasitology (a) + 2 sem 0 2 11.Pathological anatomy (a) + 2 sem 0 0 12.Internal diseases of domestic animal (a) + 2 sem 0 0 13.Physiology of domestic animals (a) + 2 sem 0 0 14.Theriogenology of domestic animals (a) + 2 sem 0 0
In academic year 2000/2001 we have 4 students on doctoral postgraduate study, and 3 of them are with veterinary degree and 1 is with human medicine degree.
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For each (a), (b) and (c), please indicate: - Whether the students require a grant or salary? - The answer is same like for postgraduates master lavel study. - The proportion of graduates who enter such a programme: From the start of postgraduate studies (1962) 1312 students entered master's level. Out of that 695 graduated. In year 2000/2001 a total number of 66 students entered in postgraduate research training programme. Out of that, 62 (93.9 %) entered in Master Level and 4 (6.1 %) PhD level.
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
New curricula for post-graduate studies were prepared in 1995 to accommodate student interests and employer requirements in a more appropriate manner. These curricula provide for the organisation of a post-graduate research study and post-graduate vocational courses. All issues within the post-graduate study system are governed by the Graduate Study Regulations, which have been in force since 2001. Many years of experience in organising post-graduate studies have served as a basic guideline for designing a curriculum for the new postgraduate research study of veterinary medicine, which is organised as a two-year masters programme and a three- year doctoral programme. Given the specific features of the veterinary profession, the diversity of veterinary activities and specific scientific interests demonstrated by each discipline of veterinary medicine, the new study has been structured into majors. The post-graduate research study is composed of required and elective courses. Thus, apart from required courses, graduate students are offered elective courses so that the study can be adjusted to the needs of each student. Elective programmes are designed by students in consultation with their mentors, taking into account the topics of their masters or doctoral theses. Another factor contributing to the integrity of postgraduate training at the Veterinary Faculty of the Zagreb University are post-graduate vocational studies. They are adjusted to the needs of the trade and complement each other by covering the basic veterinary disciplines. They focus on deepening specialist expertise and know-how, practical work, and upgrading specific skills.
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Our critical comment on the post-graduate study programme is primarily related to vocational studies. Namely, we feel that training under vocational studies should be structured training categorised by animal species. For instance, specific study programmes should be introduced, which would separately cover the pathology and treatment of horses, cattle, sheep and goats instead of integrating everything in the study of the Pathology and Treatment of Domestic Ungulates, which is the present practice. Furthermore, we have identified the need to introduce a domestic animal anaesthesiology study because of the increasing requirements for this discipline. Generally, we could note that the overall process from the commencement of studies to the completion of postgraduate studies with the defence of master’s theses is too lengthy. Thus, in some cases the approved topic that may have been of topical interest at a certain point in time is eventually no longer current due to an excessively long thesis completion period. The current financial status of our Faculty and science in Croatia in general is exceptionally difficult. Thus, the lack of funds inevitably determines the quality of the apparatus and, consequently, work methodology, where in many respects we lag behind developed countries. The training plan and organisation of postgraduate studies are well-designed, but we nevertheless feel that there is a difference between students who regularly work at the Faculty, either as junior researchers or assistant lecturers and those who occasionally come to meet the attendance requirements. At the end of studies, this difference is reflected in a varying quality of knowledge, in particular when we apply it to the clinical treatment of animals or any other routine skills that should be mastered by students during the course of their postgraduate studies.
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Chapter 13 RESEARCH
1. FACTUAL INFORMATION
Undergraduate students can get additional training by getting involved in the research carried out at the Faculty. The principal investigator of a research project, conducted at the Faculty departments, can't officially employ students. How ever, there are many possible ways of involving students into this kind of work, particularly through their graduation theses, during the last, 5th year of study. Usually, their work, which precedes graduation thesis writing, lasts for three-months. It offers an opportunity for the undergraduates to carry out research more independently, although under their teacher’s supervision. At some departments and clinics graduation theses are properly planned to enable the undergraduates to get a broad insight into research methods. The number of graduation theses, classified according to EAEVE groups of subjects in the past three years is shown in table 13.1.
Table 1. Number of graduation theses classified according to EAEVE groups of subjects
1999 2000 2001 basic subjects 37 33 37 animal production subjects 22 26 35 clinical subjects 84 60 70 food hygiene subjects 7 7 4 professional knowledge subjects 5 6 3 Total 155 132 149
The heads of the departments may employ the best 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year students as trainee-assistants. The trainees participate in preparing practical work for the tuition, and can participate in research projects conducted at the department. They are paid for that work in accordance with the Higher Education Low. In the last three years, the number of students that have been involved in this type of work at the Faculty is the following table.
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Table 13.2. Number of trainee-assistant during last three years
Year No. of students 1999 49 2000 44 2001 42 Total 135
Every year some of the students participate in the research by their own choice and participate in the competition for gaining the Rector’s Prize. These types of research activities are usually reserved only for the best students and are quite demanding for both, students and teaching staff. In table 13.3. are listed the names of students that have been awarded the Rector's and Deans prizes in the last three years.
Table 13.3. List of Rector’s prize winners
Year Rector's prize winners Tomislav Keros: “Regional nerve block of the hip in cattle” 1999. Josipa Rajković: “Lynx feeding analysis in Croatia and Slovenia” Tomislav Pešo: “The Trichinella spiralis antibody determination in the invaded swine tissue” 2000. Robert Bali and Janoška Biggi: “The third eye lid prolapsus treatment methods’ comparison” Mato Gotovac: “Craniometric differences between the wolf and the dog” 2001. Vedrana Perić: “Holstein stallions’ mineral metabolism during one year”
Also, every year students who achieve the best results during their study and have been involved in research activities are awarded Dean’s prize. List of the names of these students for the period of last three years is presented in table 13.4.
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Table 13.4. List of the students awarded with Dean’s prizes
Year Dean's prizes winners Katarina Čurčija: “The thyroid gland hormon’s concentration values in the broilers’ blood plasma” Robert Bali and Janoška Biggi: “Spread and occurance of the ileus in dogs, 1999. caused by foreign bodies” Mislav Stević: “The Otok 8th ct. archeological findings: the horse’s long bones morphometric analysis” Iva Mayer: “Diabetes mellitus in dogs” Andrija Damjanović and Sinoša Markovinović: "Differences in the development of n. femoralis, n. ischiadicus and n. opthuratorius in swine (Sun 2000. scrofa domestica" Vanesa Ivetić and Nada Bulimbašić: "Susceptibility of animal bacterial isolates to gentamicin" Irina Kovačević and Iva Mayer: “The dogs’ pancreatic exocrine insufficiency diagnostics and treatment” Željko Gottstein and Sonja Malez: “Morphometric and morphogenetic analysis 2001. of the Vinica cave bear teeth” Dubravka Pavlović: “Analyses and succesfullness of the live wolf catching methods’ for scientific research”
Generally speaking, neither teaching nor students’ involvement in the research activities can be effective without Faculty staff being a strong research base. Unfortunately, research at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb is based upon individual researchers’ projects and rarely the projects of the whole departments and clinics. Although there is funding allocated specifically for this purpose the research carried out at the Faculty is not satisfactory, except for some departments. Also, there is a limited number of scientists posts assigned for research. Therefore, the research carried out by the teaching staff forms the basic research capacity of the departments and clinics. There are several very active members of the teaching staff who have been taking care of the additional “voluntary” research involving undergraduate and postgraduate students. In many cases their research has been based on the topics dealt
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with in the research projects approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The research projects are listed in the table 13.5.
Table 13. 5. List of research projects sponsored by Ministry of Science and Technology
DEPARTMENT HEAD OF THE TITLE OF THE YOUNG CLINIC PROJECT PROJECT RESEARCHER 1. Department of Snježana Kužir, Morphology of skeleton Anatomy, Prof Krešimir DVM and taxonomy of higher Histology and Babić, DVM, PhD Tajana Trbojević vertebrates Embryology Vukićević, DVM. 2. Internal Diseases Clinic Prof Mario Bauer, Research into Croatian Nikša Lemo, DVM. with Chair for DVM, PhD autochtonic dog breeds Kinolgy Epizootiology and 3. Department of prevention of epiornotic Prof Zdenko Ivana Lojkić, Poultry infectious bursal diseases Biđin, DVM, PhD B sc Biol Diseases caused by virulent viral strains 4. Department of Prof Zvonko Metabolic changes in Physiology and Stojević, DVM, Ljubo Barbić, DVM poultry under stress Radiobiology PhD 5. Department of Prof Hrvoje Anatomy, The study of mammals in Martina Đuras, Gomerčić, DVM, Histology and the Adriatic Sea DVM PhD Embryology 6. Department of Microbiology Prof Željko Chlamydiosis of birds and Ksenija Vlahović, and Infectious Župančić, DVM, mammals DVM, PhD Diseases with PhD Clinic 7. Department of General Prof Željko The effects of gizzerosine Ana Barbić, DVM Pathology and Grabarević, on the health of domestic Andrea Gudan, Pathological DVM, PhD animals DVM Morphology 8. Department of Hygiene and Prof Mirza Veterinary public health Technology of Hadžiosmanović, in the production of Foodstuffs of DVM, PhD healthy food Animal Origin Goran Gužvica, 9. Department of Prof Đuro Huber, Study of large carnivores DVM, PhD Biology DVM, PhD of Croatia Tomislav Gomerčić, DVM
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Phenotypic and genetic 10. Department of Prof Ivo characteristics of Animal Karadjole, DVM, Simmental cattle in Husbandry PhD Croatia 11. Department of Animal Environment, stress and Prof Boris Krsnik, Irena Petak, Hygiene, ethology in swine- DVM, PhD B sc Biol Environment production and Ethology 12. Department of Prof Emil Metabolic basis of Terezija S. Pharmacology Srebočan, DVM, production improvement Marenjak, DVM, and Toxicology PhD in cows MSc 13. Department of Prof Petar Effect of low-dose Physiology and Kraljević, DVM, ionizing radiation on Radiobiology PhD chickens Martina Lojkić, 14. Reproduction Prof Zdenko In vitro fertilisation in DVM and Obstetrics Makek, DVM, bovines Marko Samardžija, Clinic PhD DVM Irena Ciglar 15. Department of Prof Hrvoje Grozdanić, DVM, Immunoprophylaxis of Poultry Mazija, DVM, MSc, poultry diseases Diseases PhD Branka Čajavec, B sc Biol 16. Department of Microbiology Epizootiology and Nevenka Biuk Prof Josip Madić, and Infectious immunoprophylaxis of Rudan, DVM, PhD DVM, PhD Diseases with actual animal viruses Clinic 17. Department of Microbiology Prof Tomo Mycoplasmoses and some and Infectious Naglić, DVM, opportunistic infestious Diseases with PhD diseases of animal Clinic 18. Department of General Prof Ruža Monitoring and control of Pathology and Sabočanec, DVM, rabbit pathology Pathological PhD Morphology Metabolism, healthy 19. Department of Prof Ante Svetina, status and meat quality of Pathophysi- Maja Belić, DVM DVM, PhD pigs and cattle fed with ology rapeseed The effects of drugs and 20. Department of Prof Darko Sakar, vaccines on Andreja Prevendar Pharmacology DVM, PhD biotransformation and Crnić, DVM, PhD and Toxicology immunological response
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21. Department of Prof Vlasta Improving of nutritive Tomislav Mašek, Animal Šerman, DVM, value for some feedstuffs DVM Nutrition PhD in polutry nutrition 22. Department of Veterinary medicine in Prof Vesna Humanities in Croatia from the Gordana Gregurić Vučevac – Bajt, Veterinary mediaeval times to the Gračner, DVM DVM, PhD Profession present 23. Department of Suzana Hadžina, Animal Prof Marija Influence of animal waste DVM Hygiene, Vučemilo, DVM, to environment Kristina Matković, Environment PhD DVM and Ethology 24. Department of Prof Vesna Metabolic investigation of Anathomy, Gjurčević -. fetal membranes and Histology and Kantura, DVM, animals organs Embryology PhD 25. Department for Dubravka Biochemical indicators of Animal Križanović, genetic potential of meat Husbandry DVM, PhD production in cattle Maja Popović, DVM, PhD Prof Ivica Colidiarrehea in pigs: 26. Department of Lidija Šver, B sc Valpotić, DVM, mucosal immunity and Biology Biol, PhD PhD oral immunisation Ana Kovšca Janjatović, B Ch E 27. Department for Prof Tomislav The monitoring system of Animal Balenović, DVM, swine pathology Husbandry PhD 28. Department of Sterologic and histologic Anathomy, Prof Ante Hraste, Srebrenka Nejedli, evaluation of skin and fur Histology and DVM, PhD DVM, PhD quality Embryology 29. Chair of Game Assist Prof Biology, Applied research on the Dejan Konjević, Zdravko Janicki, Pathology and deer game in Croatia DVM DVM, PhD Breeding Nada Kučer, DVM 30. Internal Prof Vladimir Activity of plasmatic Genadij Razdorov, Diseases Clinic Mrljak, DVM, systems and DIC progress B.M with Kinology PhD in a babesiosis Vesna Matijatko, DVM, MSc Significance of 31. Reproduction Prof Antun trophoblast proteins on Nikica Prvanović, and Obstetrics Tomašković, survivalance of embryos DVM Clinic DVM, PhD in ungulates 32. Reproduction Prof Marijan Mastitis control and Obstetrics Cergolj, DVM, Juraj Grizelj, DVM programme Clinic PhD
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The results of students’ research have been presented at the conferences and on a local, national or international level. Compared to the undergraduates, postgraduate students employed at the Faculty and participants of post-graduate studies are much more intensively involved in research programmes of the departments. All of the PhD dissertations result from original, mostly experimental research carried out by candidates. The most recent idea that has been accepted is to intensify our cooperation with other veterinary faculties in the research projects and to acquire fellowships in research institutes abroad. From 2000 the Faculty has successfully been cooperating with veterinary universities from Ljubljana, Brno, Budapest, Vienna and Košice in the frame of VetNEST organisation. Regular exchanges of both, undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff among the mentioned institutions under CEEPUS cover also make a part of cooperation.
2. COMMENTS
Opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in the research work are limited. Although all the students have to prepare their graduation theses during the final year of the study, only a small proportion of the theses is based on research conducted by the students’ themselves. In most cases graduation theses take form of review articles. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students can actively participate in research carried out at the departments and clinics, but usually less then 10% students are involved in it. Those students are mainly candidates for the Rector’s or Dean’s prizes. Usually research area of their awarded work forms the basis for their graduation thesis. Students have opportunity to work as individuals or in small teams. Their team research work is mainly performed within the projects. Generally speaking, students are not enough involved in the research projects which are conducted at the Faculty. However, financial support is unfortunately not adequate to provide for the students’ integrating into research as we believe we are not given enough support by the Ministry of Science and Technology .
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After the reconstruction of some new facilities at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, teaching staff, researchers and students will have more spacious and better-equipped premises at their disposal which should improve research conditions, particularly at the clinical departments. In addition, together with their teachers and researchers, and after providing a modern computer network, students will get better access to the Main library and the Computer Room, which should also have a favorable effect on their scientific output.
Because of the increasing accumulation and diversity of the total body of veterinary science knowledge we may encounter problems in trying to meet the standards required by the current veterinary training in achieving omni-competence. In order to be able to meet these standards, our Faculty should offer the students opportunities to participate in active research work. We are aware of the fact that students have to be trained to be able to deal with everyday professional work and at the same time to be capable of performing scientific research and maintaining an interest in active life-long learning.
3. SUGGESTIONS
As the Faculty successfully cooperates with Ljubljana, Brno, Budapest, Vienna and Košice veterinary faculties within the frame of VetNEST organisation from 2000, we expect that regular exchanges of students and staff among the mentioned institutions, particularly under CEEPUS cover should take place. We also believe that such exchanges will offer prospects for a better involvement of students into research projects. These opportunities together with teachers' influence improved equipment and conditions at their own Faculty should be the primary factors to encourage students’ to develop their interest to actively participate in research.