Appropriate post-graduate training to support surveillance and control of animal diseases in southern africa

摘要

Appropriate training at the MSc and PhD degree levels as well as short, skills oriented, certificated modules to support surveillance and control of infectious and parasitic diseases of livestock in southern Africa are discussed. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part reviews the context within which training is given. This is followed by a discussion of a new post-graduate training strategy to accommodate students with different backgrounds and experience and, lastly, the post-graduate programmes that are already in place or which are envisaged in the region are briefly reviewed. There are currently six veterinary faculties and numerous technical colleges that offer training in veterinary diagnostics in the countries of the Southern African Development Community. At these institutions, training is focused mostly on formal, full time post-graduate courses for those who seek academic advancement and excellence. The paper highlights the results of consultative workshops on training in veterinary diagnostics in southern Africa. Current approaches are also critically reviewed, and the basis for a new approach to supporting sustainable disease surveillance and control in the subcontinent is outlined.