PVM Hosts International Guests from China and Japan

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

visiting students from China and Japan pictured

Visiting veterinary students from Sichuan Agricultural University in China and veterinary technician students from Rakuno Gakuen University in Japan were honored at a farewell luncheon in Lynn Hall Friday, August 3.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine hosted two delegations of veterinary and veterinary technology students from China and Japan for a two-week exchange visit that concluded with a farewell luncheon and ceremony last Friday, August 3. As part of a reciprocal exchange agreement made through the PVM Office of Global Engagement, a total of 11 students and two faculty members observed various clinical rotations and participated in a variety of events and activities. Students from PVM participated in their portion of the exchange earlier in the summer.

The Rakuno Gakuen University delegation from Hokkaido, Japan consisted of four veterinary technician students and Associate Professor Takanori Kooriyama. The group from Sichuan Agricultural University in Chengdu City in China’s Sichuan Province included seven veterinary students and Associate Professor of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Changliang He.

Dean Reed pictured with visiting student

Dean Reed presents a certificate to Rakuno Gakuen University veterinary technology student Maaya Uabe. All of the students received certificates recognizing their completion of their PVM clinical externship.

The exchange arrangement gives the visiting students an opportunity to spend time in the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, gaining first-hand exposure to veterinary clinical education in the U.S. Their itinerary also included a variety of fun activities to introduce them to Indiana and local attractions and culture, including visits to Fair Oaks Farms and the Indianapolis Zoo.

At the farewell reception for both delegations, Dean Willie Reed wished the students much success and extended an invitation for them to return any time they would like to visit. “Both of these universities are ones that we have really gotten to know well,” Dean Reed said. “We are building relationships with them, relationships that are getting stronger each year. I certainly, during the last few years, have gotten used to seeing students and their faculty from these two universities. They’ve become part of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family. So I want to thank everybody who made our students’ experiences worthwhile this year.”

Dr. Shi and Dr. Ko pictured with visiting students

Dr. Jeff Ko and Dr. Riyi Shi participate in a photo-op with Sichuan Agricultural University veterinary student Mufang Jia. The PVM backdrop that was set-up at the luncheon proved to be a popular place for taking keepsake pictures.

Students from both delegations also spoke during the ceremony, expressing appreciation for the learning opportunities they experienced and the kindness and patience of the PVM clinicians, staff, and students. “We had the chance to see the different perspectives of veterinarians and the different education systems between our two countries,” said veterinary student Jue Zhou from Sichuan Agricultural University. “We also got to see how some procedures were done with detailed plans and advanced technology… We hope this program continues to grow and we will have more collaborations in the future.”

Then, each student was introduced and received a certificate, presented personally by Dean Reed. The PVM Office of Global Engagement thanks all the faculty, staff, and students who helped to make this exchange an amazing experience for the students.