Dr. Mushtaq Memon, We-Empower VP of Livestock returned to Nepal on April 8-26, 2023. This was Dr. Memon’s second assignment as a Fulbright Specialist in Nepal. The purpose of this new assignment was to assist the Faculty of Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Fisheries http://afu.edu.np/vet/ at University of Agriculture and Forestry (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan. By providing instruction in Comparative Reproduction of Domestic Animals and interacting with students during hands-on laboratory and farm experiences, Dr. Memon assisted the instructors in strengthening the Veterinary Reproduction curriculum.
Comparative reproduction covers primarily 7 domestic animal species – cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats, with special emphasis on male reproduction. I taught final year veterinary students who already have received lessons on the reproduction of ruminants (cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats), and some swine but no instruction on horses, dog, and cat reproduction. The students were intrigued by unique differences between female reproductive cycles, breeding practices, pregnancy, and disorders of reproduction. I was also requested to teach comparative male reproduction, including diagnosis and treatment of common male disorders. A laboratory on male goat breeding soundness including semen collection and semen evaluation was offered. In the lab, students received hands-on experience in semen evaluation.
Veterinary students at AFU have limited opportunities to accompany instructors on farm visits to animal owners’ homes and small livestock farms. One such visit occurred while I was there and I went along to observe. During these field visits, students view animal housing, nutrition and other factors crucial to health and productivity in real life situations.
Another source of clinical training available to students is during Animal Day Camps, where livestock owners bring their animals to a specified location for treatments during weekends and on some holidays. The camps are organized by the Veterinary Student Association with the help of their teachers and are supported by the veterinary faculty dean’s office. I noticed the students were very excited and eager to perform physical examinations on patients, which were primarily goats, water buffalo and cattle. Deworming and vaccinations of animals were excellent opportunities for student involvement. The vaccines and dewormers were primarily donated by pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Hom Basnet (Center in yellow shirt), Dean of the Veterinary Science Department visits with Dr. Mushtaq Memon and veterinary students during an Animal Day Camp.
Traditionally, a Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) is the primary place for students to learn various aspects of clinical veterinary practice, including client communication, physical examination, disease diagnoses and treatments of animals. But the current VTH at AFU is somewhat outdated. It has only a few animal examination rooms, limited disease diagnostic facilities and receives few animals. I discussed an opportunity to upgrade VTH with the VTH Director and the Veterinary Faculty Dean. The World Animal Health Organization’s (OIE) has a Veterinary Education Twinning Program https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2021/03/veterinary-education-twinning-guide.pdf which creates partnerships between a developed and a developing country to upgrade veterinary education in the developing country. A Twinning Program committee is being formed at AFU to start the application process. I look forward to assisting AFU in the application process and aligning with a veterinary college in the US as a Twin partner to upgrade clinical teaching through VTH at AFU.
To learn more about Dr. Memon’s first visit to Nepal as a Fulbright Scholar Specialist, you can use the links below to see his articles on the We-Empower website.
Dr. Mushtaq Memon speaks at lectures by local nonprofits in Nepal.
https://we-empower.co/dr-mushtaq-memon-speaks-at-lectures-by-local-non-profits-in-nepal
Dr Mushtaq Memon, Fulbright Specialist visit to Nepal
https://we-empower.co/dr-mushtaq-memon-fulbright-specialist-visit-to-nepal
Goat Production and Reproduction in Nepal
https://we-empower.co/goat-production-and-reproduction-in-nepal