Introduction
Global Initiatives in Veterinary Education (GIVE) is a program
to strengthen veterinary colleges in developing countries. It
is sponsored by the Association of American Veterinary Medical
Colleges (AAVMC).
GIVE
bolsters foreign veterinary schools by providing curricular materials,
journal subscriptions, distant learning modules, short courses,
faculty and student exchanges, and sabbatical opportunities. It
strengthens participants by promoting global perspectives, intercultural
understanding, and knowledge of exotic animal diseases.
The
GIVE program encourages long-term, mutually beneficial, meaningful
relationships—involving multiple faculty, staff, and students—between
North American Institutions and carefully selected foreign companion
colleges.
Program Rationale
Global tranquility requires full stomachs and emotional harmony.
Companion and draft animals provide harmonious relationships and
livestock and poultry provide dietary protein to offset starvation.
Veterinary medicine—a respected and compassionate profession—addresses
these needs by supporting human-animal bonding and adding unique
dimensions to livestock health, public health, animal and human
welfare, food safety and security, and international trade. GIVE
serves as an instrument of world peace by training veterinarians
needed to sustain these humanitarian activities.
Selection
Process
U.S. and Canadian member schools nominate international companion
schools for a vote to the AAVMC International
Affairs committee. The committee evaluates these submissions,
and their recommendations are forwarded to the Board of Directors
for final approval.
The Growing List of Cooperating Organizations and Agencies
Organizations that have agreed to encourage their members and
employees to participate include: the American Veterinary Medical
Association, the United States Army Veterinary Corps, the National
Institute for Animal Agriculture, the United States Animal Health
Association, and multiple Agencies of the United States Department
of Agriculture. Cooperating organizations receive periodic updates,
provide advice, participate in crafting policies, and suggest
volunteer experts.
Support for GIVE
Program activities will be conducted by willing volunteers and
their employers.
AAVMC solicits funds from corporations, foundations, national
and international organizations, and individual donors to cover
costs of curricular materials, travel, meals, and lodging.
Existing Partnerships
GIVE now has relationships with partner institutions in Chile,
China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Nepal, and Thailand. We expect a
gradual influx of nominations. In addition to long-term partnerships,
GIVE also provides connections for professionals seeking overseas
experience and for foreigners seeking opportunities in North America.
Click on the links below for more information on the specific partnerships:
Auburn University/Austral University of Chile
Kansas State University/Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University
Louisiana State University/Universidade Federal de Bahia
Michigan State University/Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Michigan State University/Chiang Mai University
Tufts University/Tribhuvan University
University of Florida/University of Yucatan
University of Prince Edward Island/Autonomous University of Tamaulipas
University of Prince Edward Island/Kasetsart University
University of Tennessee/China Agricultural University
Contacts
Questions or comments about the GIVE program are welcome and encouraged. The primary contact for this program is Dr. Mike Chaddock. He can be reached via email at mchaddock@aavmc.org.