91Pro

Upgraded veterinary profession facilities unveiled at Harper Adams

Posted 21 September 2022

Professor Matt Jones, on the left of the picture, and Dr Philip Robinson, on the right, with some of the VIP guests invited to the opening of the refurbished facilities.

Upgraded facilities for veterinary professions at 91Pro have been unveiled – in time for the return of undergraduate students this September.

The upgrades to the University’s Veterinary Education Centre and Veterinary Nursing facilities followed an investment of almost £500,000 and included a refurbishment of the veterinary nursing building, as well as the purchasing of equipment for animal handling and housing and large animal anatomy models.

The latest work on the facilities was put on show at an opening event for Harper Adams staff and invited guests this week, with Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan, Head of the University’s Department of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare Dr Philip Robinson, and Head of the Professor Matt Jones each explaining what the upgrades would mean for students, staff and teaching.

Speaking of how the Veterinary Education Centre facilitated collaboration between staff and students, with industry, and across institutions, Professor Sloan said: “This is a fabulous facility – but more than that, it is a fabulous development for both Harper and Keele.

“Not only does it show the best of both universities individually, it shows the best of both universities collectively.”

Professor Jones emphasised how the Centre’s design encouraged this collaborative work at Harper Adams, adding: “This building is a disarticulated veterinary practice – I like to think of it that way.

“There is a real mix here, and we want to create a community where we don’t have silos. We want to see those collaborations, from colleagues at both Harper and Keele.”

And Dr Robinson added: “I think we have got a fantastic facility – I love showing people around it. The reactions we get on Open Days – when prospective students come and see the building, when parents see the building - their mouths literally drop open.

“This building has a ‘wow’ factor.”

The upgraded facilities are part of ongoing estates investment at the University and were funded through a Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) from the Office for Students which was made in December 2021.

The grant was part of a series announced to expand teaching and learning facilities that support the UK Government’s key priorities - including high-cost STEM subjects and subjects meeting specific labour market needs.

Despite undergraduate students not returning to Harper until next Monday, teaching is already underway in the new facilities – with a group of veterinary professionals taking part in a short course on Practical Techniques for Intensive Care at the start of September.