Official launch of the Ethiopian Veterinary Education National Action Plan for the 2020 Harmonized Curriculum (Ved-NAP)

The 2025-2028 Ethiopian Veterinary Education National Action Plan for the 2020 Harmonized Curriculum (Ved-NAP) was officially launched in May 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Deans and University Presidents of nearly all 18 veterinary schools in Ethiopia attended this event, which was organized by the The Ohio State Univeristy team (Drs. Armando Hoet, Amanda Berrian, Alice Matos, and James Ferrara) and our long-term collaborators at the University of Gondar College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (UoG-CVMAS).

Enhancing veterinary education is essential for improving both animal and public health, from the local to the global level. Ethiopia recognizes the importance of this and, in recent years, has made significant improvements in harmonizing and strengthening veterinary education across the country, with support from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

Following the Focus Forward workshop in March 2024, several months of collaborative work resulted in the development of a comprehensive Action Plan to enhance the implementation of the 2020 WOAH harmonized veterinary national curriculum.

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This Plan, or Ved-NAP, was officially launched in a national event in May 2025 in Addis Ababa, organized by the Ohio State team (Drs. Armando Hoet, Amanda Berrian, Alice Matos, and James Ferrara) with their long-time collaborators at the University of Gondar College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (UoG-CVMAS) brought together deans and presidents of nearly all 18 veterinary schools in Ethiopia (33 participants), along with key representatives from the private sector and the government who will play a relevant role in the success of the Plan’s implementation. Among them were H.E. Mr. Kora Tushune, State Minister of Education of Ethiopia and Dr. Muhammed Hamid, Vice Chair of the Deans’ Council, who delivered welcoming remarks in support of the Action Plan.

The Action Plan introduces a new organizational structure, inspired by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). It includes three committees and nine task forces, working under the Deans’ Council, which is effectively the steering committee for veterinary education establishments in Ethiopia. The Deans’ Council will contribute to long-term sustainability and strong leadership for the implementation of numerous activities. To see details of the plan and the new organizational structure, please visit vednap-ethiopia

One of the Plan’s key interventions is a national event to discuss the specific learning outcomes expected from day-one graduates. This will enhance the alignment with the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) recommendations while addressing Ethiopia’s unique needs, particularly those of smallholder farmers and pastoralists. To support this, a “grassroots” needs assessment will be conducted to identify the knowledge and skills veterinary students must acquire to better serve these communities.

All interventions outlined in the Action Plan were suggested and prioritized by representatives from the veterinary schools in the 2024 event (Focus Forward Workshop), ensuring consideration for the country’s practices and available resources. The Plan encompasses a wide range of activities, from student professional development and faculty training to the establishment or improvement of practical teaching facilities, marking another significant milestone in the advancement of veterinary education in Ethiopia.

For more information, please contact berrian.4@osu.edu or hoet.1@osu.edu