Three graduates at this year’s Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine commencement exercises made history as the first Chinese students formally sponsored by their government to earn the DVM degree in the U.S. since 1949. A fourth student earned his DVM at the University of Minnesota. The four students were supported by the China Scholarship Council through a partnership with the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health at Kansas State University. The program is sponsored by Kansas State University, the China Scholarship Council, Zoetis/International Veterinary Collaboration for China, the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association and Banfield Pet Hospital. The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health has led the program through partnerships with the governments, universities and animal health industry in the U.S. and China since its establishment in 2012. The program consists of a one-year preveterinary program at Kansas State University, and then the four-year veterinary program at Kansas State University or its three partnering schools in the U.S.: University of Minnesota, Iowa State University and the University of California, Davis. “This will be an end of study of veterinary medicine in school, but a new start of a lifelong learning,” said Jing Li, a 2017 College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. “The learning of veterinary medicine is not only about knowledge and skills, but also further understanding of this profession and what we as veterinarians can do for the well-being of animals and humans. I am grateful that this program has provided me a great opportunity to look at the grand view of veterinary medicine in both China and U.S.” “The fabric of [the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health] center speaks to the globalization of veterinary medicine and our ability as partners to impact future generations of veterinarian professionals in the U.S. and China. U.S. and Chinese students who are graduating from this class and classes to come will have the opportunity to learn not only about veterinary medicine in our partner country, but will also have the opportunity to experience and learn about each other’s culture. I have no doubt the students graduating as a part of this program will go on to collaborate and build relationships within the U.S. and China and forge a true One World, One Health, One Medicine approach.” “Chinese modern veterinary education was originated from the West,” said Ming Wang, vice president of the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association. “In the early 20th century, several outstanding students were sent by the government to study in the United States and Europe for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After their return, they established veterinary schools in China. This U.S.-China Joint Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program not only marks the second time of veterinary collaboration between the U.S. and China, but also opens a new era in the veterinary histories of both countries. The Chinese Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduates are like seeds that have been soaked in the nutrient—American veterinary education—and will blossom and fruit in the rich land of China.” One of the program’s main goals is to help universities in China become accredited at the same standards set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
