Al-Quds University recently hosted a workshop to establish the College of Veterinary Medicine and ‘One Health’ in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, the Veterinarians Syndicate – Jerusalem Center, and the Union of Palestinian Agricultural Relief Societies. Representatives from academia and the fields of agriculture and veterinary medicine, along with representatives from the governmental, private, and civil sectors, were in attendance.
The partnership agreement was signed by Al-Quds University, represented by its President, Prof. Abu Kishek, and the partners from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Syndicate, and the Union of Relief Societies. This event marked the commencement of efforts to establish the College of Veterinary Medicine and ensure the fulfillment of its theoretical and practical requirements. The attendees expressed their aspirations for the college’s success and excellence.
Professor Dr. Imad Abu Kishek extended a cordial welcome to the assembled partners and specialists, underscoring the significance of this momentous undertaking for Palestine and its animal wealth. He emphasized that Al-Quds University, through its collaborative endeavors with esteemed specialists and entities, aspires to establish a distinguished model that will propel it to the forefront of national rankings, thereby serving Palestinian students at large. Prof. Dr. Abu Kishek further highlighted the pivotal role of this workshop in examining the contributions of universities and institutions in addressing environmental concerns, their economic implications, and their value impact.
In his remarks, the head of the Palestinian Veterinarians Syndicate, Dr. Abdul Karim Abu Znaid, underscored the distinctive nature of the program, emphasizing its alignment with the agricultural sector and its collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure the program’s success. He highlighted the necessity for specialized veterinarians in various fields and noted the importance of specialization in the livestock sector.
The Director General of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Iyad Al-Adra, delivered an address on the subject of food security and its correlation with abundance and food safety. He asserted that the primary responsibility lies in the prevention of disease through the preparation of qualified veterinary cadres in order to take preventive measures against diseases, preserve animal production and provide the growing need for animal protein. These efforts are crowned by preparing a distinguished and specialized cadre capable of dealing with the changing world through a study plan that takes into account quality standards and measures.
Mr. Munjid Abu Jaish, Director General of the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Society, underscored the pressing need for collaboration among the private sector, NGOs, and universities to establish a veterinary college, adding, “We are glad to be part of this important partnership and will leverage our institutes and partnerships with Al-Quds University to work together, learn together, and meet the needs of our students in the ‘48 territories.”
The founding committee of the veterinary medicine program thoroughly reviewed the objectives and academic components of the program, emphasizing its significance to the livestock sector in Palestine. The committee elaborated on the teaching premises and needs, up to its recent naming, which incorporates the term “One Health” to encompass human, animal, and environmental health. They also discussed the establishment of the program according to a joint research program with the Faculty of Public Health. The discussion encompassed the admission mechanism, the total study hours, the breakdown of requirements, and professional opportunities.
Dr. Abu Znaid addressed the most salient issues confronting the sector, including the excessive utilization of antibiotics and the resultant health concerns, and the necessity of establishing a scientific research center to assist veterinarians and farmers. Dr. Al-Adra underscored the significance of the “One Health” approach, which prioritizes prevention over treatment, emphasizing its potential application in Palestine within the context of food and biological security, as well as the mitigation of prevalent diseases. He further elaborated on the Palestinian government’s initiatives and its public health strategy in this regard, highlighting the establishment of a system to regulate the veterinary profession and ensure its quality.
Dr. Talab El-Sana highlighted Al-Quds University’s proactive engagement with Palestinian society, particularly in terms of serving the interior regions. The university has adopted a national approach, embracing students from the Palestinian interior and catering to their academic needs. Dr. El-Sana also extended gratitude to the university’s staff and administration.
The Executive Vice President, Dr. Hanna Abdelnour, expressed gratitude to the members of the committee and partners, addressing the academic aspect in terms of courses, specifications, human capabilities, and the necessity to qualify the student directly for the labor market. This qualification is achieved through the involvement of competent and specialized professionals in the sector who engage in the teaching process as part of various university programs, including medicine, health faculties, and Dual Studies.
The Vice President for Planning and Development, Prof. Dr. Jawad Shoqeir, underscored the significance of ensuring the quality of the student in terms of employment prospects post-graduation and the necessity of ensuring that courses and their outcomes equip students with the skills necessary to successfully compete in the internal job market. He further emphasized the integration of training into the teaching process to ensure the graduation of highly competitive veterinarians.
The workshop featured a series of dialogues among specialists and professionals on subjects including, but not limited to, the quality of training and education, the necessity of assuming social responsibility, the involvement of expert doctors, the alignment of theory and practice, the integration of knowledge, and the importance of specialization in veterinary medicine.
