Published: 03 Mar 2022 | Last Updated: 04 Mar 2022 17:00:26

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mansoura University in Egypt which sets out the aim of developing a transnational partnership in veterinary medicine.

The two universities are exploring possible ways to develop the learning experience for veterinary students from Egypt and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). 

As part of the plans, colleagues from the RVC, including Nina Davies, Director of Access and International Engagement; Professor Jill Maddison, Professor of General Practice; and Dr Michael Hewetson, Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine, were invited to visit Mansoura University for an initial site visit. The team met with the President of Mansoura University, the Vice President for Education, the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Head of the Department of Virology to set out the broad aims for the partnership.

During the visit, the RVC team also met with clinical and teaching faculty and current veterinary medicine students and spent the rest of the week exploring the clinical, teaching and research facilities of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; several of Mansoura University’s medical and technological institutes as well as its new fossil museum, the first of its kind in Egypt.

Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President and Principal of the RVC said:

“Now, more than ever, veterinarians are needed to improve the health and welfare of both animals and humans around the world. The Royal Veterinary College welcomes the opportunity of  working with our colleagues at Mansoura University and the signing of this MOU marks the start of what I am sure will be a productive partnership between our two universities.”

Professor Dr Ashraf Abdel Basset, President of Mansoura University, said:

“We are at a critical scientific and academic juncture in which Egyptian universities must collaborate with highly ranked European universities, including the Royal Veterinary College, to help improve educational performance and positively reflect on the Arab Republic of Egypt’s higher education system. This partnership with the Royal Veterinary College is an important milestone for Mansoura University and I look forward to seeing our future generations learn about veterinary sciences from global leaders in this field.”

Mansoura University was established in 1972 and is ranked amongst the Best 100 World Universities according to THE Emerging Economics University Rankings 2021. Its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1995 and offers Bachelor, Master, and PhD degrees in different disciplines of Veterinary Sciences.

Following the visit, the RVC will make an initial report on the viability of the programme before any terms of agreement are reached. 

Notes to editors

For more information please contact:

• Jasmin De Vivo  or rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London.
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with reciprocal recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and the AVMA in the USA and Canada.
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in line with the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2021.
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.  
• 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 with 79% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.