The aim of this part of the BUZNET project was to immerse Uzbek veterinary lecturing staff in the experience of teaching and learning in a range of European veterinary schools, and to return with new ideas and examples of good practice that they could integrate into their professional lives and those of their home institutions. They were exposed to different methods of teaching and methods of assessment, research activity and how this is used to enhance and synergise the learning experience of students. They were also shown examples of how universities can increase their income streams, such as the provision of analyses of silage samples for farmers and feed companies, DNA analysis for animal breeders, and analysis of the quality of human foodstuffs, such as milk and cheese for dairy producers. Also presented in this regard was a visit to the Open university in Estonia, which provides courses for farmers and other external students, which are funded by attenders or bygovernment. There were two groups of Uzbek teachers that visited the EU Universities of Porto, Pisa, Padua and Tartu, five from each of the Uzbek partner Institutions. They stayed for about two weeks in each EU Faculty doing a circular itinerary visiting each of them. In Porto they saw all the facilities of the faculty (small and large animals) and spent a day in the National Reference Laboratory for Animal Diseases. They were also divided into small groups depending on their interest and followed the students in their activities (going out with the farm ambulance service, engaging in work on horse reproduction, surgery and clinical services as well all the activities in the small animals’ clinic). During the work performed as students they were asked to produce clinical/surgical cases and later presented them to all their colleagues and also the relevant teachers (just as the local students must do). A special class of cheese production and control was organized, where they played the role of students performing all the activities that a regular student must do. In Tartu, the visiting lecturers saw the facilities, including laboratories, observed teaching sessions (undergraduate and postgraduate) including examples of both theoretical and practical sessions, observed PhD annual evaluation sessions, joined a discussion on project application and execution and joined a meeting on research collaboration with a UK veterinary school. They discussed teaching and examination processes and curriculum development with the Director of Studies and attended an international conference on "Animal reproduction, technology and welfare". The visitors selected case studies from their visit which they researched and presented to their peers and Estonian colleagues. These included case studies on: Dairy cow welfare assessment, embryo transfer, feline castration observation and practice, included how students engaged, animal cloning and welfare, on-farm feeding systems and a description of dairy herd quality management services. In Pisa they joined veterinary students on field experience in food processing plants and they attended practical classes delivered by experts in food inspection, food safety management and process control. Moreover, they were also involved in laboratory practice, in particular microbiological and chemical food analysis. They also had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Officers of the Public Health System and were able to make a transparent comparison between the Uzbek and the European legislative and operative systems for food control. The feedback from the visiting lectures from Uzbekistan was very positive, and these activities have enriched both their own professional expertise and enthusiasm, and also the experience and learning potential of the students at their home institutions.
There and Back Again. Uzbek Veterinary Lecturer Visits to Europe
Guidi A.;
2020-01-01
Abstract
The aim of this part of the BUZNET project was to immerse Uzbek veterinary lecturing staff in the experience of teaching and learning in a range of European veterinary schools, and to return with new ideas and examples of good practice that they could integrate into their professional lives and those of their home institutions. They were exposed to different methods of teaching and methods of assessment, research activity and how this is used to enhance and synergise the learning experience of students. They were also shown examples of how universities can increase their income streams, such as the provision of analyses of silage samples for farmers and feed companies, DNA analysis for animal breeders, and analysis of the quality of human foodstuffs, such as milk and cheese for dairy producers. Also presented in this regard was a visit to the Open university in Estonia, which provides courses for farmers and other external students, which are funded by attenders or bygovernment. There were two groups of Uzbek teachers that visited the EU Universities of Porto, Pisa, Padua and Tartu, five from each of the Uzbek partner Institutions. They stayed for about two weeks in each EU Faculty doing a circular itinerary visiting each of them. In Porto they saw all the facilities of the faculty (small and large animals) and spent a day in the National Reference Laboratory for Animal Diseases. They were also divided into small groups depending on their interest and followed the students in their activities (going out with the farm ambulance service, engaging in work on horse reproduction, surgery and clinical services as well all the activities in the small animals’ clinic). During the work performed as students they were asked to produce clinical/surgical cases and later presented them to all their colleagues and also the relevant teachers (just as the local students must do). A special class of cheese production and control was organized, where they played the role of students performing all the activities that a regular student must do. In Tartu, the visiting lecturers saw the facilities, including laboratories, observed teaching sessions (undergraduate and postgraduate) including examples of both theoretical and practical sessions, observed PhD annual evaluation sessions, joined a discussion on project application and execution and joined a meeting on research collaboration with a UK veterinary school. They discussed teaching and examination processes and curriculum development with the Director of Studies and attended an international conference on "Animal reproduction, technology and welfare". The visitors selected case studies from their visit which they researched and presented to their peers and Estonian colleagues. These included case studies on: Dairy cow welfare assessment, embryo transfer, feline castration observation and practice, included how students engaged, animal cloning and welfare, on-farm feeding systems and a description of dairy herd quality management services. In Pisa they joined veterinary students on field experience in food processing plants and they attended practical classes delivered by experts in food inspection, food safety management and process control. Moreover, they were also involved in laboratory practice, in particular microbiological and chemical food analysis. They also had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Officers of the Public Health System and were able to make a transparent comparison between the Uzbek and the European legislative and operative systems for food control. The feedback from the visiting lectures from Uzbekistan was very positive, and these activities have enriched both their own professional expertise and enthusiasm, and also the experience and learning potential of the students at their home institutions.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
