Blogs

New Veterinary School for Antigua and Barbuda

Posted by CaribShout on August 23, 2009 at 9:34pm

A new Veterinary School will be established in Antigua and Barbuda through an association between the American University of Antigua and Virginia Tech. An official signing ceremony has already taken place in New York to bring effect to the establishment of the institution. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and Minister of Education, Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro attended the official signing ceremony for the new facility, which will be established at the AUA. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the AUA Headquarters between President of AUA, Neil Simon, Dean of Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Gerhardt Schurig and Prime Minister Spencer. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding that will see the establishment of the new Veterinary School are (from (l-r) Minister of Education Dtr. Jaqui Quinn Leandro, President of AUA, Neil Simon, and Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer. (Photo courtesy Sharon Greene) Prime Minister Spencer in his remarks welcomed Virginia Tech to the shores of Antigua and Barbuda and hailed the new partnership with AUA as a great step in the globalisation of education, noting that it has made a significant contribution to the nation. "This new school and its relationship with Virginia Tech elevate Antigua as a premier provider of healthcare education for the Caribbean and the U.S," PM Spencer noted. Presenting on behalf of the Ministry of Eduction, Minister of Education Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro expressed the ministry’s enthusiasm at this new venture, stating, "For a small island developing state like Antigua and Barbuda with a relatively small population in an idyllic geographical location, the prospect of opening up our shores to hundreds of educational tourists seeking to pursue higher degrees is a significant feat for our small twin island state." Dean of Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Gerhardt Schurig in his response stated, "In five short years, AUA has proven its ability to educate both medical doctors and nurses. Its desire to expand into preparing future veterinarians for their clinical phase at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine creates another avenue for us to attract qualified students and we welcome it." New students in Veterinary Science will begin their degrees in Antigua at the AUA campus from January 2010. The prime minister and Dr. Quinn-Leandro returned to the island yesterday.

Community

Culture

Entertainment

Food

Health