Published: 03 Sep 2018 | Last Updated: 10 Aug 2023 10:55:32

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the University of Nicosia have announced they will be working to deliver two new bachelor degrees in Veterinary Medicine in Cyprus.   

This new initiative aims to create Cyprus’ first veterinary school. The school is anticipating its first class will commence in September 2020, with students choosing between a five-year course and a four-year accelerated course.  

The announcement was made by Professor Stuart Reid CBE, Principal of the RVC, and Professor Andreas Charalambous, Executive Dean at the University of Nicosia Medical School, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities on Thursday 30th August.

This new agreement between the two universities draws on the RVC’s position as one the world’s leading veterinary institutions, and its 227 year track record in research, education and clinical service. The two universities will form a working committee with the aim of promoting and developing the relationship that will steer the new initiative.

With support from the RVC, work will be carried out in Nicosia to create a centre of excellence to address issues related to animal health, genetic improvement of livestock, links between the health of animals and humans, the improvement of food safety, and animal welfare.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Professor Stuart Reid said:  

“The RVC is delighted to be establishing a partnership with our colleagues in Cyprus and to contribute to the advance of animal health expertise in the region. We have a strong commitment to the One Health approach and together I am sure we can build on the success of the University of Nicosia’s Medical School to create an exceptional new veterinary programme. ”

Professor Andreas Charalambous said:  

“We are proud to be entering a partnership with the Royal Veterinary College, one of the finest institutions for veterinary education in the world.  The University of Nicosia’s strong commitment to internationalisation and quality guide us in offering cross-border education, through partnerships with other prestigious universities in Europe, ranked among the best in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Our University has a strong record in the field of Health Sciences, and its Medical School is the largest, and was the first to be established, in Cyprus.  The new Veterinary School in Cyprus will be modelled on the University of Nicosia’s Medical School to ensure that it becomes a regional and international centre of education and research that follows international quality assurance criteria. 

The new Veterinary School will also have significant economic and social benefits.  In addition to the education of students, veterinarians will be offered continuing professional development, and farmers will be provided with the tools they need to maintain the health of their animals and to ensure higher productivity. 

In our commitment to the One Health agenda, we will work closely with all stakeholders to improve the public’s awareness of animal rights and to protect and preserve healthy ecosystems, which will safeguard the health of both animals and humans.”    

 Notes to Editors For more information please contact: Alex Cassells or Steven Gauge Press Line: 0800 368 9520  

About the Royal Veterinary College

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a constituent College of the University of London. The RVC offers undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.
• It is currently the only veterinary school in the world to hold full accreditation from AVMA, EAEVE, RCVS and AVBC. In 2017, the RVC received a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) – the highest rating a university can receive.
• A research-led institution, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) the RVC maintained its position as the top HEFCE funded veterinary focused research institution.
• The RVC ranked as the top vet school in the Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science unit of the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, with 55% of academics producing world-class and internationally excellent research.
• The RVC also provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals; the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in central London, the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (Europe's largest small animal referral centre), the Equine Referral Hospital, and the Farm Animal Clinical Centre located at the Hertfordshire campus.