KINGSTON, Jamaica — Students at the Portland-based College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) will have the opportunity to pursue veterinary medicine studies at the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) in the United States (US) under a partnership between the institutions.

The institutions will develop and implement a pre-veterinary medicine (PVM) scholar’s programme, which will serve as a pipeline to prepare and inspire talented CASE undergraduate students to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and achieve the goal of increasing African American and other minority student groups in the applicant pool at TUCVM.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU), to solidify the arrangement, was signed on Thursday at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining’s Old Hope Road offices in Kingston.
Portfolio Minister, Floyd Green, said the MOU represents a significant opportunity for the future of agriculture in Jamaica.

“This partnership will directly address the national shortage of qualified veterinarians and animal science professionals. By creating a structured pathway from CASE to Tuskegee… Jamaican students can gain world-class training and return with advanced skills to support animal health, livestock production and food safety,” he said.

President of CASE, Dr Derrick Deslandes, said the initiative will address the need for highly trained veterinarians for the rearing of small and large ruminants for the agricultural sector.

“This is just the start of the partnership. We intend to build the network around research, which is a significant shift in the CASE culture… . We intend for it to be the first step in a broader alliance that will cover a wide range of different areas,” Dr Deslandes noted.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, TUCVM, Dr Thierno Thiam, said the partnership will strengthen both institutions by facilitating research, shared expertise, and student exchanges.

“I have no doubt that this partnership will bloom into a model of international cooperation in agricultural education, creating pathways for the next generation of agriculture scientists and veterinary professionals,” he said.

The MOU covers academic programme enrichment, joint research, faculty/student exchange, among other areas of cooperation.

It is intended to establish a framework for cooperation and to promote a long-term strategic partnership that benefits both institutions and their respective communities.

—JIS

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (right), joins President of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Dr. Derrick Deslandes (centre), and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) in the United States, Dr. Thierno Thiam, in displaying the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will enhance academic and professional training in veterinary studies at the institutions. The signing took place on Thursday (July 17) at the Ministry’s Old Hope Road offices in Kingston.