VITEBSK, 1 February (BelTA) – The Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine is set to get €1.5 million to overhaul its academic buildings, set up a round-the-clock veterinary hospital, and purchase modern equipment, including an MRI scanner, rector of the academy Nikolai Gavrichenko told BelTA.
The veterinary academy is among universities that are taking part in the investment program to upgrade Belarusian higher education institutions for 2021-2025. “The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will allocate €1.5 million to the veterinary academy. These funds will be used to overhaul two academic buildings, one of which will become home to a round-the-clock veterinary hospital. Plans are also in place to buy new equipment, including surgical equipment and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner,” Nikolai Gavrichenko said.
The academy runs seven clinics that are located in its academic buildings. After the upgrade, the academy will open a round-the-clock hospital for all kinds of animals, where students will undergo practical training. The new facility will have a room for cattle, as the academy specializes in treatment of cattle, the rector said. He added that the academy handles more than 1,000 farm animals a year, including cows, horses, goats, sheep, and so on.
Apart from farm animals, the 24/7 veterinary facility will deal with all kinds of pets, including birds and rodents.
The clinics of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine have all the necessary equipment, apart from an MRI scanner. The new scanner, which will be purchased under the upgrade project, will help make more accurate diagnoses, which is especially important for veterinary medicine, as animals cannot say what is wrong with them, Nikolai Gavrichenko noted. Scientists of the academy will also use the MRI scanner for their research.
The new veterinary hospital will feature laboratories, changing rooms, showers, and lounges for students on duty. “The main purpose of the new facility will be to provide practical training for students, and we will aim to create the most comfortable conditions for students and teachers,” Nikolai Gavrichenko stressed.
