Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety

The continual development of our profession and the need to introduce modern concepts into our work demand new approaches to gain additional professional knowledge. In the past decade, important changes in theoretical and practical work have been made at all levels of veterinary medicine.  

Great progress has been achieved in the processes of thinking and critical reasoning, which are now based on clinical and diagnostic cognitive skills. Contemporary clinical examinations and tests are based on evidential and deductive processes. Candidates can increase their knowledge and experience and direct it towards resolving diseases of individual animals and/or the herd. The work of professionals demands that they are educated, rational, and that they demonstrate a desire for an advanced level of clinical-diagnostic and critical-thinking skills. 
  
In veterinary medicine, the need for supplementary learning is dictated by constant developments in current knowledge and new fields influencing the quality of professional work, which indirectly affects society as a whole. The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education – EAEVE recommends the introduction of advanced and continual post-graduate education. Post-graduate education is also encouraged by the Slovenian representative veterinary organization (Veterinary Chamber) and numerous veterinary associations.

The main goal of the Advanced Training Programme in Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety is for the veterinarian to upgrade his/her theoretical and practical skills in the subect.

Students, doctors of veterinary medicine, who are working in the field of veterinary public health and food safety, have to be highly professionally qualified for the work required in this area of expertise. Their primary task is to deepen the knowledge regarding their field. The programme includes theoretical lectures and practical work on zoonoses as they relate to food, with a full knowledge and comprehension of the risk assessment and epidemiological and statistical techniques used in connection with veterinary public health that can influence the health suitability and quality of food of animal origin.

Candidates who successfully complete the programme will be experts qualified for independent work in the field of hygiene and the inspection of food of animal origin and food safety.  

The Programme for Advanced Training in Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety is awarded with 34 European credit transfer system (ECTS) credit points. It encompasses seven modules, five mandatory and two elective, which are horizontally related and consist of a theoretical and practical part. The focus is on practical work, which comprises 81.4 % of the programme content.

The study requirements are evaluated upon the basis of the European Credit Transfer System - ECTS.

The basic objective of the programme is to obtain knowledge and understanding of positive and negative interactions between humans and animals with the focus on the consumption of food of animal origin, furthermore to be able to make professional and responsible choices regarding microbiological, chemical, and physical risks, to understand and use epidemiological and statistical tools and techniques for risk assessments and the HACCP system, and good production practice in veterinary public health.

Another goal is knowledge of the meat and milk processing industry, and processing industries for fish, shellfish, crabs, eggs, honey, and their products, which can help the expert with his decisions. The legislation regarding food hygiene and food control will be thoroughly discussed.

The student will be introduced to different research and laboratory analysis methods and will be trained to practise them on his/her own.

The number of available places is 5 per year.

Candidates choose a mentor prior to the application or when applying to the programme. A mentor or co-mentor is a person with a professional or academic title and a suitable certified professional activity in the individual field. The mentor guides the candidate during his or her training.

To apply for the Advanced Studies Programme in Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety candidates must meet the following requirements: hold  a degree in veterinary medicine, have at least three years of work experience in the field of small animal medicine, and possess a valid licence. Candidates who have completed the degree abroad must attach a Certificate of Education Completed in a Foreign Education System.

Candidates will be considered on the work experience, a letter of recommendation from a veterinary association and their scientific and professional accomplishments. Individual elements will be evaluated upon the basis of: 

The admission limit is five candidates in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 41 of the Higher Education Act.

The recognition of knowledge and skills acquired prior to admission shall be approved by the programme supervisor based on certificates and the mentor’s opinion.

The condition for advancement is the fulfilment of study obligations for all the modules. Conditions for completion of the programme are the fulfilment of all study obligations and and a successful pass in the final examination. Evidence of fulfilled obligations for all modules shall be submitted by the candidate before the final exam. Candidates are expected to pass the final exam no later than two years following the completion of their obligations or no later than four years after admission to the programme.

By successfully passing the final exam, candidates will acquire a certificate in Advanced Training Programme in Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, which is an official document (in accordance with Article 88 of the Statute of University of Ljubljana) and is signed by the Dean of the Veterinary faculty of Ljubljana and the Rector of the University of Ljubljana.

Candidates are evaluated by oral and written exams, case reports, filled-in reports and written practical training reports. The final exam is carried out in front of the three-member commission.

The programme offers seven study modules, which consist of two parts: theoretical work (120 hours) and professional practical training (525 hours). Five modules are mandatory, two are elective.

The advanced professional studies programme comprises the following modules:

• Health Suitability of Food of Animal Origin; Alimentary Infections and Intoxications - Foodborne Diseases, HACCP, Risk Assessment
• Hygiene and Inspection  of Meat and Meat Products
• Hygiene and Inspection  of Milk and Milk Products
• Hygiene and Inspection  of Fish, Shellfish, Frogs, Eggs, Honey and Products
• Research Methods in Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Informatics
• Final exam

All modules are classified in the field of veterinary medicine.

Curriculum

Key: L lectures; LP laboratory-based practical classes; CP clinical practical classes; S seminars; A alternative work; I individual student’s work, TH total hours; ECTS credit points based on ECTS.

* Elective modules. Candidates must choose one.

Short review of modules

Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Continuing Education

Gerbičeva 60
1000 Ljubljana
 
Tel: +386 1 4779 147
Fax: +386 1 283 22 43
Email: biljana.grubisic@vf.uni-lj.si