Online learning at a higher level

On 18 February 2015, Dr W. Dirksen, Director of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University, the management of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals of this faculty and André Romijn, Publishing Director of VetVisuals© International, signed an agreement to create an educational partnership combining the respective strengths of each party. The aim of this innovative collaboration is to produce and deliver engaging, high quality, interactive multimedia teaching modules in the field of veterinary medicine.

Efficient learning

Online education is increasingly becoming part of the student experience.  When well organized, online learning coupled with education on location (blended learning) can be much more efficient than traditional teaching methods alone. Having the right kind of visual support – for example, instructional videos showing clinical procedures – can help veterinary students in being better prepared for practice. Similarly, online resources can help graduate veterinarians to keep up to date and better informed of the latest veterinary developments. Through the offer of a professional, objective and practical postgraduate training package, every companion animal vet will benefit from the knowledge and skills of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals of Utrecht’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. With sophisticated online learning modules, every small animal practitioner will have the opportunity to refresh their skills and learning as and when needed. The programmes being developed as a result of this partnership will be announced later this year.

Top quality product

"By partnering with VetVisuals© we are able to spread our knowledge and expertise amongst a wide audience. We believe that knowledge sharing is key in improving the skills and competence of veterinary practitioners. By combining our knowledge with the technical expertise and marketing skills of VetVisuals©, we have a great opportunity to increase accessibility to veterinary knowledge and clinical skills on an international level." – Prof. J.W. Hesselink, Chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University.

"Veterinary eLearning is only in its infancy, but already very competitive. I am delighted with this collaboration. The high level of veterinary expertise at Utrecht University, in conjunction with our technology skills in the field of multimedia, guarantees a quality product that will generate a unique learning experience for veterinary students and practitioners. With thoughtful learning objectives and professional video support we can produce interactive modules which, for example, consist of step-by-step clinical procedures, scenario-based learning and diagnostic and therapeutic protocols, but also topics as the proper handling of medical equipment." – André Romijn, VetVisuals© International.

Top in the veterinary world

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FD) of Utrecht University is the only institution in the Netherlands providing veterinary training. The programme is accredited by American (AVMA), Canadian (CVMA) and European (EAEVE) bodies. The FD is a leader in Europe and ranks amongst the top veterinary institutes in the world. The University Clinic for Companion Animals is the largest and most modern animal hospital in Europe.

Leading learning publisher

Based in the United Kingdom, VetVisuals© International is a global provider of interactive veterinary CPD education and online veterinary courses. Delivered via a unique Learning Management System, its videos, articles and courses offer in-depth coverage of common veterinary clinical problems and are presented by leading international veterinary specialists, recognised by the profession as experts in their field. VetVisuals© also publishes evidence-based articles and interesting case studies covering the latest developments in research, diagnoses and therapies, all with a practical touch and written for general practitioners. In order to keep objective standards high, there is no industry sponsorship. The VetVisuals© business model is based on subscription and course fees only.

In 2013 VetVisuals© International signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding an educational partnership with the Centre for Veterinary Education (CVE) at the University of Sydney. André Romijn explains: "The development of robust and high quality education online is a complex process, requiring significant preparation to ensure the creation of good outcomes and a stimulating learning experience. It would be a shame to reinvent the wheel, and I am therefore very much in favour of cooperation with the best knowledge providers worldwide. The result is that we can jointly offer sophisticated quality education, characteristic of a market leader."

For more information please contact:

Marieke Veldman, afdeling Communicatie & Marketing faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Universiteit Utrecht, (030) 253 3430, m.m.veldman@uu.nl

André Romijn, VetVisuals International, Tel. 0044 7584655533, andre@vetvisuals.com
Roman House, HG4 1LE Ripon, North Yorkshire, UNITED KINGDOM, www.vetvisuals.com