A new veterinary medicine programme in ATU Donegal will provide a huge boost to both Letterkenny and the county, according to Senator Nikki Bradley.
It was confirmed this morning the university was selected as one of two institutions expanding their third-level veterinary medicine places alongside South East Technological University (SETU)
The new development will contribute to 80 additional veterinary graduates in Ireland each year.
Senator Bradley, Fine Gael’s General Election candidate in Donegal, said the new Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) will help address shortages of vets in rural Ireland.
“I am absolutely delighted to see ATU and Donegal chosen for a new veterinary programme. ATU is a fantastic third level provider that has contributed so much to the local community,” Sen Bradley said.
ATU’s new veterinary programme will be a dual-campus programme delivered primarily at ATU Donegal in collaboration with ATU Mountbellew, where two semesters will be taught.
Other teaching and learning activities, including the programme’s clinical facilities, will be located on the Donegal campus.
“For years, students who did not get accepted into the programme in UCD were forced to travel abroad,” Sen Bradley added.
“The addition of this new programme will allow more students who wish to study veterinary medicine to stay in Ireland to get their degree.
“We know farmers and vets in rural Ireland are under severe pressure, and having a new programme in Donegal will help ease some of that stress.
“The introduction of this programme is a major milestone for rural Ireland, and particularly the Northwest.”
She went on to say that ‘Fine Gael is listening to farmers and vets across rural Ireland’, and hopes this new veterinary programme will go a long way in helping rural communities.
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