The WVEPAH is the second branch of the ‘European Association for Veterinary Specialization’ (EAVS), a non-profit organization registered in Luxembourg since 1989. The EAVS, with the support of the European Union (EU), has promoted the transnational organizing of veterinary specialization in Europe. In 1992, the ‘European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies’ (ESAVS) was created, dedicated to companion animals. The ESAVS has been supported by several EU education programs to develop the concept of veterinary specialization by providing professionals with high-quality continuing education.
The ESAVS has been very successful. Educational programs in 27 locations in Europe and 10 in China enrol more than 1800 participants every year, coming from more than 50 countries. The ESAVS, affiliated with the University of Luxembourg, offers Certificate and European professional Master programs in the field of companion animal veterinary medicine.
The WVEPAH was created in 2010, with the support of the OIE, in response to the significant need for more training for professionals in the field of production animals and for their high level of skills to be validated by a standardized exam. Based on the ESAVS model, the WVEPAH is a supranational platform which welcomes teachers recognized in their field and manages all practical aspects of the training. University association ensures quality control and the academic conformity of the training.
The diplomas are issued by the University and validated worldwide by the OIE for the regulatory part. The graduates are therefore able to apply OIE recommendations in the field. Participants, being professionals already, improve their know-how and knowledge in all aspects of their field.
The table linked below is from an analysis of the skill level of experts in their day-to-day work highlights significant disparities. In this analysis, 40% are practitioners, 10% work in animal nutrition and 35% in pharmaceutical companies. Professionals in poultry, as with the majority of experts regardless of their speciality, have a high level of knowledge in certain aspects of the field. For example, pathology, nutrition, immunology, vaccinology or antibiotherapy if they are practitioners, nutritionists or working in pharmaceuticals. But, at the same time, they may have serious gaps in epidemiology, biosecurity, animal welfare, regulations etc. The objective of the WVEPAH training programs is to enable these professionals to reach a high standard in all fields, as required by the OIE. Thus, they can achieve the status of international expert.
