Veterinary Medicine a century part of Utrecht University
In September 1925, the ‘Veeartsenijkundig Hoogeschool’ merged with Utrecht University and became the university’s sixth faculty. This gave a boost to an integrated approach to health, emphasizing collaboration between experts in human, animal, and environmental health.
Several members of the Maatschappij voor Veeartsenijkunde (Society for Veterinary Medicine) had long wanted to merge with the university, seeing it as a form of societal recognition. Ultimately, government budget cuts were the deciding factor.
New chairs
The merger brought significant synergy and progress. Chemistry and physics courses were updated to reflect the latest insights. First-year veterinary students took many courses at other faculties. New chairs were established for medical-veterinary chemistry and microscopic anatomy.
The buildings of the new veterinary faculty were made available to other faculties. After the new Small Animal Clinic introduced X-ray research and education, it was intended for both veterinary students and future doctors and dentists.
First female veterinarian
The merger contributed to the realization that human health is inextricably linked to the health of animals and the environment. With the only faculty of veterinary medicine, an internationally unique ecosystem for life sciences education and research has now emerged at Utrecht Science Park, where interdisciplinary collaboration is conducted on a large scale. The merger also led to another breakthrough. Johanna Westerdijk had already become the first female professor in the Netherlands in Utrecht in 1917. However, veterinary medicine had yet to begin admitting women. On September 19, 1925, Jeannette Voet (1907-1979) enrolled as the first female veterinary student. Exactly five years later, she became the first female veterinarian in the Netherlands. Current students and staff can meet daily at Café Madame Jeannette, named after her.