April 14, 2023
Zoetis Foundation supports US-China Joint DVM Program through grant program for advancing veterinary education
The Zoetis Foundation recently announced a series of grants totaling $5.3 million to support 21 initiatives impacting 15 countries that will help enable thriving professions and livelihoods for livestock farmers and veterinary professionals, as well as relief efforts for those impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye. One of the grants is designated for the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.
This grant, in the amount of $294,422, will be used to support a year of pre-veterinary training at Kansas State University for six Chinese students. The students will then proceed with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or DVM, studies at one of four designated American colleges of veterinary medicine. Upon completion of their DVM degrees, the students will return to China to use the knowledge and skills they obtained to support the growth and development of the veterinary profession in their home country.
"The U.S.-China Joint DVM Program was designed to train the future leaders of veterinary medicine with global perspectives for both countries," said Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. "One health and sustainable animal agriculture will become achievable goals only when the world has sufficient competent veterinarians."
"Amidst global challenges from food insecurity to climate change, veterinarians and farmers play a critical role to meet the needs of a growing population while ensuring economic stability, sustainable nutrition and a healthy environment," said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, president of the Zoetis Foundation and executive vice president of corporate affairs, communications and sustainability at Zoetis. "We are excited to continue funding organizations around the world that are identifying innovative solutions to enable an inclusive, resilient, thriving profession and make a positive impact for our communities, animals and the planet."
The full list of first round 2023 grant recipients and expansion of programmatic work is listed online.