SELF EVALUATION STAGE I REPORT ON THE VISIT TO THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE SELÇUK UNIVERSITY KONYA-TURKEY

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS FOR VETERINARY EDUCATION (EAEVE) & THE FEDERATION OF VETERINARIANS OF EUROPE (FVE) SELF EVALUATION STAGE I REPORT ON THE VISIT TO THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE SELÇUK UNIVERSITY KONYA-TURKEY October 26-30, 2009 Konya, TURKEY 1

2 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 2 ADMINISTRATION OF THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE Dean: Prof.Dr. Hüdaverdi ERER Vice-Dean: Prof.Dr. Varol KURTOĞLU Vice-Dean: Assoc. Prof. Emrah SUR Faculty Secretary: Ahmet UYSAL Division of Basic Science: Prof.Dr. Mehmet NİZAMLIOĞLU Department of Anatomy- Prof.Dr. Sadettin TIPIRDAMAZ Department of Biochemistry- Prof.Dr. Mehmet NİZAMLIOĞLU Department of Physiology- Prof.Dr. Zafer DURGUN Department of Histology & Embriology- Prof.Dr. İlhami ÇELİK Department of Ethics and Veterinary History- Prof.Dr. Aşkın YAŞAR Division of Pre-clinical Science: Prof.Dr. Kemal ÇİFTÇİ Department of Parasitology- Prof.Dr. Bilal DİK Department of Bacteriology & Immunology- Prof.Dr. Mehmet ATEŞ Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology- Prof.Dr. Bünyamin TRAŞ Department of Pathology- Prof.Dr. Hüdaverdi ERER Department of Virology-Prof.Dr. Sibel YAVRU Division of Animal Nutrition and Zootechnics: Prof.Dr. Mehmet Emin TEKİN Department of Zootechnics- Prof.Dr. Mehmet Emin TEKİN Department of Animal Nutrition- Prof.Dr. Behiç ÇOŞKUN Division of Food Hygiene and Technology: Prof.Dr. Mustafa NİZAMLIOĞLU Department of Food Hygiene and Technology- Prof.Dr. Mustafa NİZAMLIOĞLU Division of Clinical Science: Prof.Dr. Celal İZCİ Department of Surgery- Prof.Dr. Nuri YAVRU Department of Internal Medicine- Prof.Dr. Mahmut OK Department of Obstetrics and Gynacology- Prof.Dr. Tevfik TEKELİ Department of Artificial Insemination- Prof.Dr. Kenan ÇOYAN

3 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 3 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 6 I-OBJECTIVES Factual Information Comments Suggestions ORGANISATION Factual Information Comments FINANCES Factual Information General information Overview Revenues and Expenditure Comments Suggestions CURRICULUM Factual Information Power Of Subjects And Types Of Training Power Of Subject Further Information On Curriculum Obligatory Extramural Work Specific Information On Practical Training In Food Hygiene/Public Health Ratios General Indicators Types Of Training Special Indicators Of Training In Food Hygiene/ Public Health Comments Suggestions TEACHING AND LEARNING: QUALITY AND EVALUATION Factual Information The Teaching Programme The Teaching Environment The Examination System Evaluation Of Teaching And Learning Student Welfare Comments Suggestions PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT. 36

4 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit FACTUAL INFORMATION Premises In General Premises Used For Clinics And Hospitalisation Premises For Animals Premises Used For Theoretical, Practical And Supervised Teaching Diagnostic Laboratories And Clinical Support Services Slaughterhouse Facilities Foodstuff Facilities Waste Management ANIMALS AND TEACHING MATERIAL OF ANIMAL ORIGIN Factual Information Anatomy Pathology Animal Production Food Hygiene/Public Health Consultations and Patient Flow Services Consultation Patient Flow Vehicles For Animal Transport On-Call Emergency Service On Farm Teaching And Outside Patient Care Ambulatory (Mobile) Clinic Other On Farm Services And Outside Teaching Other Information Ratios Other Species Comments Suggestions LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES Factual Informatıon Library And Other Informatıon Technology Services Computing Facilities STUDENT ADMISSION AND ENROLMENT Undergraduate Courses Undergraduate Student Numbers Student Flow Suggestions ACADEMIC AND SUPPORT STAFF Factual Information CONTINUING EDUCATION Suggestions POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION Factual Information Clinical Specialty Training (Interns And Residents) Research Education Programmes... 70

5 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 5 TABLES Table 3.1. Revenues Table 3.2. Expenditures Table 4.1: General table of curriculum hours taken by all students Table 4.2: Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects taken by each student. Table 4.3: Teaching hours in other subjects (some are national requirements) Table 4.4: Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects offered and to be taken as electives Table 4.5. Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects to be taken by the ninth term students Table 4.6 Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects to be taken by the tenth term students (Tracking system) Table 4.7: Obligatory extramural work that students must undertake as part of their course Table 5.1. Indication of standard veterinary textbooks. Table 6.1: Places available for hospitalization and animals to be accommodated Table 6.2: Premises for clinical work and student training Table 6.3: Premises for lecturing Table 6.4: Premises for group work (number of rooms that can be used for supervised group work) Table 6.5: Premises for practical work (number of laboratories for practical work by students) Table 7.1: Material used in practical anatomical training: dog, ruminant, equine and other Table 7.2: Number of necropsies over the past 3 years Table 7. 3: Indication of the availability of food-producing animals for practical teaching to students. Table 7.4: Indication the availability of food-producing animals for practical teaching to students in veterinary public health, food hygiene, inspection and technology. Table 7.5 : Indication of the number of weeks, in the course of the year, during which the clinics are open. Table 7.6: Number of cases: a) received for consultation, and b) hospitalised in the Faculty clinics, in the past three years. Table 7.7 : Number of hospitalisations. Table 7.8: Number of cases seen by the Ambulatory (mobile) clinics in the past three years. Table 7.9: Number of patients seen on outside teaching in the past three years. Table 7.10: Indication of other additional external sources of material for clinical purposes. Table 7.11 Proportion of student choosing elective subjects in the final semester Table 9.1: Undergraduate student composition in the year prior to visitation Table 9.2: Intake of Veterinary Students in the past five years Table 9.3: Student flow and total number of undergraduate Veterinary Students Table 9.4: Number of students graduating annually over the past five years. Tabe 9.5: Average duration of studies (Distrubition of the students in a year) Table 10.1 Personnel in the establisment provided for veterinary training Table 10.2 : Allocation of academic (Veterinary surgeon and non-veterinary surgeon) Teaching staff-expressed as FTE- and support staff to the various departments. Table 11.1: CPE courses given by FVMSK in the past 2 years Table : Clinical specialty training Table : Number of research students enrolled in different programmes

6 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 6 I-INTRODUCTION The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Selcuk University, Konya (FVMSK) was first founded in 1982 in southern Konya, and offered veterinary training until Since then, the departments have been transferred to the modern classrooms and laboratories on the main campus of the university, which is located 25 km north of the downtown. FVMSK has been a member of the EAEVE since 2000 and was first visited by a team of experts on 18th-23rd March This was the first evaluation visit made to a Turkish Veterinary Faculty within the European Evaluation System. It was therefore an important visit in the context of Turkey s negotiations for closer relationship with European Union. The report submitted after the evaluation made a significant contribution to the reassessment of the educational policy of the faculty and restructuring accordingly. Moreover, senior administration of the university began work on quality culture in 2005 and got a pass in European University Association s (EUA) institutional report programme in Within the framework of activities conducted to attain quality culture, FVMSK was included among prioritized faculties due to the fact that the area is heavily dependent on agriculture and animal production. It was also reported in the strategic plan of Selcuk University that international accreditation was crucial for education and affirmative action would thereby taken for faculties/departments in this process. FVMSK was revisited by a team of experts on April 10-11, After the second evaluation visit, FVMSK has focused on problems and inadequate subjects described in the report. The expert teams report clearly mentioned in objectives and strategy that - FVMSK aims to accomplish EAEVE accreditation as soon as possible, - FVMSK focuses on acquisition of basic knowledge in all fields of veterinary science, particularly in clinical instruction for teaching programmes, - FVMSK aims to be an outstanding veterinary institution in its region, where animal production has an important economical value. It also desires to become a nationally recognized veterinary Faculty for both teaching and research, - FVMSK also aims to become an internationally recognized institution and to increase collaboration with international faculties for education and research purposes. - The mission of FVMSK is to graduate well-educated veterinarians who treat animal diseases, protect animal and human health, ensure breeding and the care for and the feeding of animals, oversee production of animal products under suitable conditions, pursue scientific and technological development, comply with the ethical rules of the profession, are aware of environmental problems and of the importance of continuous education. The teaching programme now also considers in an adequate manner swine diseases and a small pig unit has been formed.

7 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 7 Since April 2008, the following changes have been performed: -Major changes have been performed at the clinics, where large and small animal clinics have been separated and clinics have been reorganized. Infrastructure and case load of the pathology department have been improved. -As part of a new law describing veterinary training in Turkey, all veterinary institutions have to follow Bologna criteria and Directive 2005/36EC. -A great improvement has been achieved in the infrastructure of horse clinics and hospitalizing units. On the other hand, horse case load is still insufficient. -Surveys for students, academic and administrative personnel have been conducted to evaluate the running of the Faculty and to determined potential deficiencies. -Quality of the teaching is now assessed by student surveys for each teaching staff of the faculty. Also surveys have been initiated for graduates and companies where our graduates have a position to have feedbacks to evaluate general teaching quality of the faculty. These activities are organized and controlled by the faculty executive committee that acts as an Academic Evaluation and Quality Control Committee. They make clear comments that all queries concerning the above mentioned Category II suggestions have been resolved.

8 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 8 CHAPTER 1-OBJECTIVES 1.1 FACTUAL INFORMATION The Faculty has prepared an Institutional Evaluation and Strategic Plan , which describes objectives of the Faculty in detail. The objectives of FVMSK are parallel to guidelines and requirements of the EU Directives and training to provide adequate, problem-based veterinary training that enables veterinary students to be competent when examining and treating sick animals, to contribute to animal production whilst maintaining animal health and welfare to provide veterinary public health. In addition, the faculty conducts research, provides postgraduate and specialist training and plays a role in continuing veterinary education. The main objective of the faculty is to achieve full accreditation to the EAEVE/FVE. The faculty believes that the accreditation process and being an accredited institution will enhance the quality and reputation of the institution. The basic strategic goals of the faculty to reach this goal are to : Increase infrastructure and quality of teaching of the Faculty based on EAEVE/FVE criteria Develop and increase collaboration possibilities with the EAEVE/FVE member institutions Develop academic exchange programs with other international institutions Support international research collaboration Develop network and collaboration with employees and graduates The objectives of the faculty are partially determined by the constitution in general. The other objectives are determined by official bodies of the faculty. Objectives are first discussed at the academic council and approved by the administrative council. Some objectives also have to be approved by the official bodies of the university and the Higher Educational Council. As part of the Institutional Evaluation and Strategic Plan , some performance parameters including teaching, research, human resources, finance, infrastructure, national and international collaboration etc. have been are measured since The findings are discussed at the official bodies of the Faculty for increasing the quality and solutions for potential problems. Strengths Possession of adequate infrastructure (clinics and experimental farm) Having adequate number of academicians Being one of the most preferable veterinary faculties in Turkey Widespread availability of information technology Awareness of constant institutionalization Young human resources who are open for modernization Progresses and decisiveness in accreditation and quality control Implementation of a student-centred administration Awareness of international collaboration Administrative support for research Support for social and cultural studies

9 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 9 Weaknesses Inadequate number of academicians with international experience Low level of foreign language knowledge of both students and academic staff Inadequate horse breeding activities in the region Inadequate quality of some research works Inadequate financial support for research Lack of interest among academic and administrative staff for activities Limited international collaboration in certain areas Opportunities Widespread animal production in the area Advanced animal production industry Numerous public and private sector institutions engaging in animal production Widespread crop production in the region Initiation of English supported veterinary training at the faculty National and international funds Availability of a growing university research park in the campus Process of EAEVE accreditation Outstanding collaboration of the Faculty with local governments and professional foundations Threats Excessive number of students Insufficient recognition of veterinary medicine in the country Inadequate R&D awareness Economic limitations for good quality research Limitations for hiring good quality personnel Problems of administrative and academic personal allocations Inadequate academic salaries 1.2. COMMENTS The important issue with the faculty since the first visit is the development of companion animal clinical work. It is a strategic objective of the Faculty in order to position the Faculty clinic and its staff in a strong position. As it is mentioned in the first report, demand is rising in companion animal clinical activities in Turkey day by day. Now, the faculty is forced to specialize in areas such as dermatology, cardiology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging, gastroenterology etc. Thus, commercial development of companion animal clinics is more emphasized. Companion animal clinical work is further developed with the addition of new physical equipment (i.e. digital X-Ray, anesthesia, eye microscopy, FAKO, endoscopies, ultrasonography, and dental unit) and administrative and clinical structure (reception, new caseload structure, waiting room, intensive care unit, pharmacy, laboratory, operation theater with scavenging system). Equine clinic facilities have been developed especially in diagnosis, anesthesia, surgery, monitoring and recovery. However, caseload of the equine clinic is still not enough. We are aware of the circumstances and expect increased numbers of horses because of developed facilities. We have started to advertise the clinical service and collaboration with local horse breeders around. However, Konya is not located in an area where many horses are present. As a solution and to

10 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 10 provide more hands on training, horses at the equestrian center have been used for clinical practices. Veterinary Public Health has strategic importance for the faculty. The number of lectures covering veterinary public health subjects is increased in the current curriculum. The new curriculum covers EU legislation and regulations on food hygiene and veterinary public health. The information for food safety regarding EUstandards has been included in courses while a production farm with animal and food tracking system with the most recent technologies has been put in use. The curriculum has been reorganized and updated to meet EU regulations, which offer more practice based and hands-on training. Practical farm work has been reorganized with inclusion of pig production. Ambulatory clinic services have been improved and numbers of cases in the clinics are increasing. The faculty is starting a tracking internship programme in the final year. Students can select a specific area (farm animals, equine, small animals, food hygiene, laboratory diagnosis). On the other hand, students are always on duty in the clinics. Selcuk University in general pays attention to the quality of teaching based on an evaluation system and successful lecturers are nominated for reward. The Faculty has concerns about the level of student intake (162 students currently) entering the faculty. However, beginning with the fall semester of 2007, all freshman veterinary students have to take a placement test to asses their English knowledge and communication skills. Veterinary students who successfully pass this exam can continue veterinary training at FVMSK. Otherwise, they are given an opportunity to take two semesters of full time ESL (English as a Secondary Language) training at the School of Foreign Languages (YADAM) Selcuk University and they have to pass the placement test. In the first year, the entering veterinary students also have to take two semesters of intensive English training given by the YADAM. As part of the new curriculum, up to 30% of the theoretical teaching will be given in English. English training allows and provides a great opportunity for students to improve communication skills. This change in the system, therefore, has decreased the number of entry level students to approximately students in the current year SUGGESTIONS The high number of student enrolment is a major concern at FVMSK; however, this is an issue that can only be decided by the Higher Education Council (YOK) of Turkey. At this point, our faculty has no authority towards overcoming the problem other than making helpful suggestions. Recently, deans of the current veterinary faculties met in Ankara with members of the government and parliament to discuss the issue. A list of suggestion and solutions were decided. Some are as follows; curriculum development is the responsibility of the faculty administration; the aims of the curriculum and the learning objectives are clearly explained to both staff and students and methods are established to monitor and, where necessary, amend the curriculum. The Faculty s aim is towards Quality Assurance mechanisms

11 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 11 prescribed for quality assurance reviews, external supervision at a national level between faculties of the same country at an international level between EU faculties. As of Spring semester of 2009, training in English was started for the second year students. Certain lectures including genetics, microbiology and introduction to external diseases are given in English.

12 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 12 CHAPTER 2-ORGANISATION 2-FACTUAL INFORMATION Details of the Faculty Name of the Faculty: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Address: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Selçuk, Alaaddin Keykubat Kampusu Selcuklu, Konya, Turkey Telephone: +90 (332) Fax: +90 (332) Website: The FVMSK is located on the main campus of Selcuk University. The main administrative offices are located at the downtown area. The address of the rector s office is: Rector of The University of Selcuk Aladdin Caddesi Selcuklu Konya, Turkey Tel. +90 (332) Fax. +90 (332) Web: All universities are partly regulated by the Higher Educational Council (YOK) in Turkey. The rector is elected by faculty members of the university, and names of six candidate rectors who had the highest votes are submitted to the YOK. After an interview, names of three candidates are submitted to the president and one is appointed for a period of 4 years. The Rector can be elected and appointed for another four years but appointment is restricted to a total of eight years in a university. As part of the national regulations, deans are appointed by the rector for three years and are reappointed again. Vice-deans are appointed by the dean. Heads of Departments are elected by faculty members of that particular department for there years. Heads of divisions are elected by the department heads for three years. Division heads are responsible for organization of teaching and all scientific activities in the departments. Any issue can be discussed in the academic council and any faculty member can have a voice. The Faculty academic council is held at least twice year or whenever need arises. The Faculty Executive Committee consists of the dean and division heads as natural members, three professors, two associate professors and one assistant professor elected by faculty members for three years. Also, the student representative is a member of the committee. The Executive Committee is held at the beginning and end of each academic semester or whenever needed. The Executive Committee also acts as the curriculum committee and organizes the

13 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 13 curriculum and the educational calendar. Other responsibilities are to take measures to enhance quality of teaching, research and scientific activities. The Faculty Administration Committee includes the dean as a natural member, three professors, two associate professors and one assistant professor elected by faculty members for three years. A student representative is also present in the meeting. The committee decides on the overall administration of the faculty and assists the dean. Main responsibilities are planning of budget proposal, student intake and dismissal, faculty member exchange programs etc. Figure 2.1. The current organisation of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya.

14 Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Self Evaluation Report for the Onsite -visit 14 DEAN Vice Deans Faculty Secretary Students Affairs Administrative Division Faculty Executive Committee Administrative Committee Animal Ethics Committee Social Events Committee Academic Departments Accreditation Committee Academic Quality & Evaluation Council Scientific Publication Commiteee Field Station Students Club Curriculum council Department of Anatomy Department of Biochemistry Division of Basic Sciences Department of Bacteriology & Immunology Department of Parasitology Division of Preclinical Sciences Division of Clinical Sciences Department of Internal Medicine Department of Surgery Division of Animal Nutrition and Zootechnics Department of Zootechnics Department of Biostatistics Division of Food Hygiene and Technology Department of Food Hygiene and Technology Animal Farm Equestrian Department of Physilogy CCirriculum couincil enter Feed Unit Feed Unit Department of Histology and Embryology Department of Pathology Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Genetics Department of Ethics and Veterinary History Department of Physiology Department of Pharmacolo gy & Toxicology Department of Virology Department of Artificial Insemination Department of Farm Managemen ts and Economics Department of Animal Nutrition

15 As indicated previously, FVMSK is part of a state university and the general rules covering management of the faculty are prepared by the central government. Therefore, involvement of the outside bodies and organizations are technically impossible. However, there is a close collaboration with related outside organizations and feedbacks are used to improve quality of teaching at the faculty. 2.2 Comments Organization of the Faculty is determined by national law (number 2547) and YOK/HEC; therefore, faculty administration has no power on organizational change. It can only offer advice. 15

16 16 CHAPTER 3- FINANCES 3.1. FACTUAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION The Faculty is aware that veterinary education necessitates an expensive training. Faculty income resources are the annual budget from the central government, revolving resources, university budgets and research projects. However, as discussed above being a state university, very limited funds coming from the central government are used for general utilities of the Faculty such as phone, transportation, cleaning and general teaching materials. As a solution, the faculty can generate general revolving resources which are allocated for priority objectives and needs of the Faculty, which are decided by the faculty administrative committee. For instance, because of the accreditation efforts and insufficiencies stated in the report, a positive discrimination has been applied recently for the development of pathology, horse and small animal clinics and HACCP application in the university farm. The new procedure of revolving capital income generated by the work of the faculty has given an opportunity to departments for financial autonomy to some extent. Parts of the revolving revenue are set aside for the use of each department, which provides an independent budget for the departments. Therefore, each department has an independent and separate budget for its own use. There is no positive discrimination for veterinary training based on the budget coming from the central government, but this can be possible for the university resources because of accreditation efforts. Students have to pay a tuition fee which is 428 TL in academic year. The amount of tuition is decided by the central government for each academic year and it is the same for all veterinary faculties in the nation. Student tuitions are collected by the university administration and some are used to support general expenses including meals, sport, social and cultural infrastructure and facilities. The rest are allocated between faculties based on student number and needs of the faculty. Necessary building maintenance works are determined by the dean and sent to the University Construction Department, which includes them in the program and the necessary budget. The Faculty does not support research projects in general. As discussed in Chapter 13, research projects are mainly supported by the university and national funds.

17 AN OVERVIEW OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES Table 3.1. Revenues State (government)** Income generated by the Total faculty Year To university Directly to Income from Research administrated the Faculty services outside the provided Faculty 2009* *First 6 months, ** Given in Turkish Lira (TL), A TL is about 0,5 as of May Table 3.2. Expenditures Year Pay Non pay Total Salaries Teaching Research Clinical Other* support support support * *First 6 months, ** Given in Turkish Lira (TL), A TL is about 0,5 as May COMMENTS As discussed above only limited funds are available from the central government and are used for general utilities and always there is a need for extra funds for veterinary training. Increasing the number and budget of national and international research projects, counseling services and education programmes may help with finance problems. Unfortunately, there is not enough flexibility on central funds. As discussed previously, however, only a limited part of the revolving revenue is allocated for each department. Therefore, each department has an independent and separate budget for own use. As shown in Table 3.1., nearly half of the budget is generated by the faculty, which is very important. This portion of the budget is flexible and can be used for quality veterinary training, scientific activities and services SUGGESTIONS The Faculty should increase R&D, revolving and service incomes, which will allow better veterinary training, service and higher quality research.

18 18 CHAPTER 4. CURRICULUM 4.1 FACTUAL INFORMATION Teaching of Atatürk s Principles and History of the Turkish Revolution, Turkish language and English as a foreign Language is a national requirement. These subjects must be included in the curriculums of all schools in higher education including veterinary faculties and have to be given in the first and second terms of education (Law no: 2547). The Faculty has no option of excluding these subjects. HEC (Higher Education Council/ YÖK in Turkish) has adopted EU/2005/EC directive and professional subjects stated by the corresponding legislation are being given in the Faculty. The Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) is also acting as a Curriculum Committee and has been responsible for changes in the curriculum. The FEC serves as Curriculum Committee, as well. The subjects determined by the law (No: 2547) and directive (EU/2005/EC) can not be abondoned in any way. However, the Faculty can provide some changes in parts of the curriculum. The Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) can ask for covering or removing some subjects other than obligatory part of the veterinary medicine curriculum in any year of education. The FEC is consisted of lecturers including the Dean who are all nominated and elected by academicians from the Faculty suggesting that an independent nature of the Committee is garanteed. If any need for changing contents of subjects that are already included in the curriculum is determined by the FEC, the Committee provides the curriculum with new arrengements. The FEC gives the final decision based on evaluations of demands by stake holders such as survey results from graduates, intern students or academicians, changes on animal species that are submitted to the Clinics, and others by the field (by Chamber of Veterinay Medicines, Research Institues, Provincial Office of Agriculture Ministry, Union for Breeding stocks etc.). Before giving the final decision on changing the curriculum, a consensus is asked of the heads of departments. However, the FEC is responsible for determining which changes are to be made. The main criterion for taking decisions on the allocation of hours between the various subjects and on the balance between theoretical and practical teaching is the YOK s regulation (EU/2005/EC) on the veterinary curriculum. On the other hand, the Faculty was first visited by a team of experts from 18 th to 23rd March Suggestions made during this visit have also been included in the curriculum since then. Distribution of theoretical/practical lectures are given in Table 4.1. It is always possible to make arrengements on providing the curriculum with further changes. As an example, the curriculum currently includes some changes which are exposing students to EU legislations and regulations on food hygiene, clinics and necropsy practicals.

19 POWER OF SUBJECTS AND TYPES OF TRAINING POWER OF SUBJECTS Table 4.1: General table of curriculum hours taken by all students Year Theoretical training Supervised practical training Other Total Lectures Seminars Self Clinical directed training learning B Laboratory and desk based work D Nonclinical animal work E A C First Second Third Fourth Fifth Total F G Table 4.2: Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects taken by each student. Subjects Theoretical training Supervised practical training Other Total Lectures Seminars Self directed Laboratory and desk Nonclinical Clinical training learning based work D animal work A B C E F G A-BASIC SUBJECTS Anatomy (inc histology and embryology) Biochemistry Biology (inc. cell biology)* Biophysics Biostatistics Chemistry (organic chemistry) Epidemiology Genetics Immunology Microbiology Parasitology Pathological Anatomy- Necropsy, fish pathology(macrosc opic and microscopic) Pharmacology & Pharmacy Physiology Toxicology (inc. environmental pollution)

20 20 B- ANIMAL PRODUCTION Animal Behavior (inc. behavioral diseases) Animal Husbandry (inc. livestock production systems) Animal nutrition and feeding Animal protection and welfare Artificial breeding methods Rural economics C- CLINICAL SUBJECTS Anesthetics Clinical examination and diagnosis and laboratory diagnostic methods Diagnostic imaging Obstetrics (also taught in reproduction) State vet. medicine, zoonoses, public health and forensic medicine Surgery D- FOOD HYGIENE Food science and technology E PROFESSIONAL KNOWLODGE Professional ethics Veterinary legislation TOTAL *includes animal and plant biology. In which agronomy is given. Includes porcine topics.

21 21 Table 4.3: Teaching hours in other subjects (some are national requirements) Subjects Theoretical training Supervised practical training Other Total Lectures Seminars Self Clinical directed training learning A B C Laboratory and desk based work D Nonclinical animal work E Subjects Atatürk s Principles & History of The Turkish Revolution Advanced Foreign Language (English) Turkish Literature Basic Computer Science Total F G It has been mentioned above that teaching on Atatürk s Principles and History of Turkish Revolution, Turkish language and English as a foreign Language is a national requirement. These subjects must be included in the curriculums of all schools from primary education to higher education including veterinary faculties and have to be given in the first and second terms of education (Law no: 2547). The Faculty has no option of excluding these subjects. Table 4.4: Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects offered and to be taken as electives Subjects Theoretical training Supervised practical training Other Total Lectures Seminars Self Clinical directed training learning A B C Laboratory and desk based work D Nonclinical animal work E BASIC SCIENCES Topographic Anatomy Biochemical markers Clinical physiology Clinical biochemistry CLINICAL SCIENCES Ophthalmology Diagnostic ultrasound İnterpratation of radiologic monitoring Advanced techniques for equine surgery F G

22 22 Advanced techniques for pet surgery Clinical laboratory Clinical use of antibiotics ANIMAL PRODUCTION Quality control methods of feed Nutrition of pigs Basic training for riding Herd health management Animal welfare Pig production Andrological examinations Reproductive Biotechnology Dairy reproductive management Fishery Bee Diseases Nutrition of exotic animals Farm Management Preparing Feasibility reports Silk worm production Rabbit production FOOD HYGIENE/PUB LIC HEALTH Production of local cheese PROFESSIONA L KNOWLEDGE Management of pet clinics Scientific documentation methods Practice management The Faculty Curriculum Committee asks Departments to announce elective subjects that the department intends to give within the term. Before any term begins except the fifth year s, the students must choose an elective from among the subjects listed above. The faculty can only open the elective course if the number of students

23 who are supposed to attend is 10 at least. For deciding which student goes to which elective subject is also determined by the 2nd choice of the student if necessary. 23 Table 4.5. Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects to be taken by the ninth term students Departments Period of rotation (week) Number of teaching hours Theorical Supervised Practical Surgery Internal medicine Obstetrics/Gynaecology Artificial insemination Zootechnics Nutrition & Feeding Pathology/Necropsy Pharmacology and Toxicology Microbiology Anatomy Virology Biochemistry Physiology Parasitology Histology and Embriology Veterinary legislation Professional ethics Food Hygiene TOTAL * Each intern student has to take all the courses in the table. All the students in the ninth term must spend their time in all the nominated departments.

24 Table 4.6 Curriculum hours in EU-listed subjects to be taken by tenth term students (Tracking system) 24 Groups Farm Animals Pet Equine Food Hygiene Poultry Laboratory Diagnosis Period of rotation (week) Number of teaching hours Number of supervised hours Number of practical hours Surgery Internal medicine Obstetrics/Gynaecology Artificial insemination Zootechnics Nutrition & Feeding Pathology/Necropsy Total Surgery Internal medicine Obstetrics/Gynaecology Artificial insemination Zootechnics Nutrition & Feeding Pathology/Necropsy Pharmacology Microbiology Total Surgery Internal medicine Obstetrics/Gynaecology Artificial insemination Zootechnics Nutrition & Feeding Pathology/Necropsy Anatomy Virology Total Food hygiene and technology Microbiology Pathology/Necropsy Parasitology Pharmacology Biochemistry Anatomy Total Nutrition & Feeding Microbiology Zootechnics Pathology/Necropsy Parasitology Virology Biochemistry Total Biochemistry Physiology Microbiology Virology Parasitology Histology Total

25 When the student who attend the 9 th term completes this term, they are totaly free to select one of the any tracking groups mentioned above. At the beginning of the 10 th semester, the interns elect one of those specialized groups; equine, companion animals, poultry, food hygiene & technology, diagnostic laboratory and farm animals. Thus, a 5 th year student chooses a species specific training before the last period begins. A Report Card for internship was designed and is now being asked from interns. There are a number of essential applications that all the interns have to do during the period. Each application which is expected to be made by an intern student will also be signed for approval daily by responsible academician in the clinic FURTHER INFORMATION ON CURRICULUM The lectures that all students must attend are presented in Table 4.1 as highlighted by EC/2005/35 requirement. From the 2nd and 3rd years of education on, introductory rotations to clinics are started with 4 hours per week. The students are expected to improve themselves on animal handling, how clinics work and how clients are met etc. The 3rd year students are expected to have self-confidence and scientific background to note history of the patients, to assist intern students, and handle animals properly under the supervision of an authorised person. Practicals in the Clinics are started in the 4th year of term with 8 hours per week. Those from the 4th year are given some more serious responsibilities like hospitalization, and follow up of the animals. Rotations are the basic structure of the 5th year of the teaching programme and attendance is full-time. The 5th year students basically run intensive care and emergency clinic work as well as mobile clinic services with cooperation of research assistants. During the 9th semester, all the students must take the courses given by the departments with a timetable determined by the Faculty Curriculum Committee. During this term, all the departments including those from basic sciences are visited by all students in the 9th term. Each group consists of 4-5 students for each of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year of rotations. Taking visit records sufficiently, case follow up, and attendance to operations are criteria required of the student for evaluation of the student by clinician. The whole procedure and assessment are under the control of the Curriculum Committee OBLIGATORY EXTRAMURAL WORK Every student has to do obligatory extramural work in these are training periods that are an integral part of the curriculum and taken outside the Faculty. They included activities such as working on farms, training in a veterinary practice or on Food Hygiene/Public Health with a commercial or government organisation. Obligatory extramural work that students must undertake as part of their course is minimum 2 months either at the end of the 3rd or 4 th year or before the 5th year. The work takes place during vacations. Extramural work is supervised by the extramural work committe regularly.

26 Students spend their extramural work period with the Veterinary Practitioners. The Faculty has a good relationship with the head of the Association of Private and Public Veterinaries. The Faculty and this organisation demand any kind of service from each other (Student, Some referral problem, Veterinary Clinics Services). 26 Table 4.7: Obligatory extramural work that students must undertake as part of their course Nature of work Obligatory period Year in which 1 work is hours % of total study time carried out Veterinary practices/hospitals rd or 4th year of Slaughterhouses, Veterinary teaching Research and Control Labs, Veterinary authorities in Municipalities, Farms 1 Periods of extramural work take place during the 3rd and 4th year vacations SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE PRACTICAL TRAINING IN FOOD HYGIENE/PUBLIC HEALTH The Faculty uses a new slaughterhouse that meets EU standards for teaching. KONET AS is the most modern slaughterhouse in Konya and in the neighboring states. The faculty has access to a new slaughter house. The faculty has good collaborative relationship with slaughterhouse administration for student training. We ensure that each student understands the fundamentals of food science and modern food technology and the scientific basis of the relationship between food and human health and the factors underlying the quality of hygiene. This practical work consists of 7 weeks in the 8 th semester and one week in the 9 th semester and includes ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations with about 10 students per lecturer. Students who choose the food hygiene and technology elective program in the 10 th semester have an opportunity to practice more. It has all the facilities required in a slaughterhouse and also isolation and slaughter facilities for suspected sick animals. Resting areas are provided for animals to be slaughtered and all processes are performed under the supervision of attending veterinarians. KONET has a potential for up to 4000 cows and 600 sheep slaughertering a day and currently is working at a rate of 300 cows and 500 sheep. Also, KONET sells its own brand meat products such as Turkish sausage. The Department of Food Hygene and Technology has two units; Meat and Dairy Products Technology and Research Units. These units are used to teach students to perform routine control over meat and dairy products and also learn how to make them. Dairy products such as yoghurt, butter and some sort of cheeses, icecream, and meat products such as sausage, pastrami, salam, and hamburgers are produced in the units with the help of students. Products are vacuum-packaged and stored in the cold room storage and deep freeze. These products are mainly used to teach students quality control methods in parallel to theoretical courses. Students also visit local milk production facilities and State Veterinary Control Central Lab for food examination. Subjects of EU regulations for food hygiene & technology are covered in the curriculum. Interaction between animal production and food

27 hygiene & technology departments has been improved on both teaching and service work. Subjects of veterinary public health, responsibilities and proactive roles of veterinarians are covered by the curriculum including food-borne diseases and application of HACCP. Practical trainings are also available for these subjects. There is a close collaboration between animal production, clinical and food hygiene and production departments of the faculty for establishing an approach covering food safety and quality in a theoretical perspective. Also practical collaboration of this sort has been established. The new curriculum covers EU legislation and regulations on food hygiene and veterinary public health. Also several seminars, training workshops, programs and continuing education programs have been conducted for undergraduate and graduate students, veterinary professions, meat inspectors and people who work in food production. These educational programs cover veterinary public health, food hygiene, HACCP, and EU regulations on these subjects. The Faculty thinks that veterinarians, food industry and thus the public have been made aware of these subjects. The Department of Food Hygiene and Technology is concentrated on food production in the Faculty but collaboration is held between the faculty farm and the department for both student education and quality control of farm products. Basically, the farm produces only cow milk and has just started egg production in a limited quantity. An academic staff member from the Department of Food Hygiene and Technology started collaborating with the farm management for such purposes as below: For public health and food security issues plus teaching and practical activities Control of animal houses, feed and management conditions, preventing contagious diseases from the point of view of food security service Control of animal feed for food production issues Production of milk by the animal individually, milking, storing, transport and supply and support of hygienic chain The complete inspection of milk (physical, microbiological, chemical) Egg control (cleanness, breaks, weight, size etc.) Informing the farm administration about the findings Frequent meetings among involved personnel Even though pig production does not have an economical value as there is not such a production type, porcine issues have been added to the curriculum (Table 4.1) and the faculty has assembled a pig unit in the faculty farm to meet the needs of knowledge and training for future EU- Turkish veterinarians. Food tracking and organic farming standards, which are going to have a great value and role in feed production in the near future, are taught to students. The Faculty is not a milk producer for commercial purposes, but the cattle kept in the farm for education produce offspring and milk. The dairy unit of the faculty farm has a very simple milking parlor which meets the standards of healthy milk production and the routine quality and microbiological tests confirm this situation. 27