Published: 10 Nov 2023 | Last Updated: 17 Nov 2023 16:58:31

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Advanced Veterinary Care Foundation (AVCF) in Mumbai, India.

By developing a knowledge partnership together, the institutions aim to create a platform for collaboration, learning and best practice opportunities in the fields of veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and One Health; a concept which recognises the relationship between health and disease at the interfaces between humans, animals and the environment.

The AVCF, supported by Tata Trusts, will shortly open a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital in Mumbai to meet the needs of the growing pet population in the city. The hospital will provide clinical care, training and support for veterinary practitioners and pet owners in the region. Facilitated by the MoU, the RVC can work with AVCF to develop programmes to enhance and expand high-quality veterinary care in India.

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

“The RVC is pleased to be working with AVCF to support their mission in providing quality veterinary care to the growing pet population of the Mumbai region. In the first instance, the RVC will work with AVCF to help develop their veterinary teams and, thereafter, look forward to exploring mutually beneficial opportunities.”

Dr Tom Heathcote, Chief Veterinary Officer and CEO of the AVCF, said:

“AVCF is delighted to have the support of the RVC in this early stage of our project. Through this association we are hopeful that we can make a lasting and irreversible positive impact on the provision of veterinary healthcare to all of the animals, owners, and vets of Mumbai.”

Notes to Editors

Photo caption: Stuart Reid CBE, President & Principal of the RVC, Dr Tom Heathcote Chief Veterinary Officer and CEO of the AVCF, and Professor Jill Maddison, Professor of General Practice at the RVC.

For media enquiries, please contact:

• jasmin.devivo@plmr.co.uk 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 the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2023.
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
• 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.