Improvement of DVM Curriculum to Meet OIE Recommendations at Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bangladesh.

Abstract

A veterinary education twinning project between Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) and Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (TCSVM) was supported by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to align CVASU's veterinary curriculum with OIE's recommended Core Curriculum and Day 1 Competencies. The major objectives were curriculum development with improvement to the internship program, introduction of problem-based learning (PBL), and implementation of continuing education (CE). Major activities to achieve these objectives involved several workshops and seminars at CVASU and establishing student exchange and CVASU faculty training programs. Major accomplishments were (a) implementation of a revised Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum at CVASU aligned with the OIE-recommended curriculum and Day 1 Competencies; (b) incorporation of PBL into the curriculum and development of 23 PBL cases relevant to Bangladesh-specific diseases; (c) improvement of the internship program by including Day 1 Competencies; (d) development and implementation of 11 structured CE sessions including hands-on training; (e) improvement of curriculum, teaching, and clinical training at CVASU following training of CVASU faculty and students at TCSVM; and (f) three peer-reviewed publications from summer research projects by TCSVM students at CVASU. The twinning project allowed CVASU to improve its DVM curriculum by aligning with OIE's recommended curriculum and Day 1 Competencies. The impact of the project went beyond CVASU as evidenced by other veterinary schools adopting the CVASU curriculum and PBL, veterinary school deans engaged in improving veterinary curriculum and clinical training, and implementation of a national CE program for veterinarians.