The Faculty of Veterinary Science is excited and proud to announce the approval by the Council for Higher Education (CHE) of a 3-year Bachelors degree in Veterinary Nursing (BVN). The new degree will eventually replace the current two year DVN (Diploma in Veterinary Nursing)

Following a long and intricate process the new degree was approved at the end of June by the CHE, the highest relevant body in South Africa for the accreditation of proposals relating to new courses within the framework of Higher Education as well as the institutionalisation of quality assurance.

The process to upgrade the diploma to a degree was already initiated a few years ago. Among the reasons for the decision was the fact that the 2-year diploma does not allow any postgraduate study, and therefore results in an academic dead-end for diplomats.

The new degree offers more opportunities at postgraduate level and will open the door for future veterinary nursing specialist fields to develop. This will also add impetus to the global reputation of the Faculty.

The degree will be phased in through a thorough planning and curriculum development process with a view to the intake of new students within the next 2 to 3 years.

According to Prof Dietmar Holm, Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Veterinary Science the approval is a positive development for the Faculty, for the Veterinary Nursing profession and indeed for the entire veterinary team. "The approval of the BVN programme is the result of hard work and collaboration by the Faculty, the University and the veterinary professions", Prof Holm said.