Background

The Department of Animal Health officially established lately in mid 2000s after the former Kombolcha Agricultural Training Center is transformed to a college level starting its training with three major departments (Natural Resource Management, Animal Science and Plant Science) and one basic departments (Basic Science and Supportive Courses). By then, the, department was offering trainings in diploma and level based programs aligned with other departments. Lately, however, the launching of a degree level program in affiliation with Wollo University necessitated the importance of upgrading and establishing a full-fledged department to produce competent graduates that fulfill the gap for skilled animal health experts in the region where livestock is an integral part of the major agricultural practice.

The primary educational goal of Animal Health department is to prepare students for a lifetime of productive activity in the veterinary profession. Animal diseases definitely have an impact on global community. It can reduce the quantity and quality of animals and their commodities. Hence, keeping animals healthy and keeps communities vivacious to growing requires competent manpower and expertise. The department strives for quality education and community engagement; and works to address issues of different animal diseases, production, breed improvement and food safety.

In addition to its teaching programs, the department also provides diagnostic and consultancy services regarding animal health problems, conduct research in livestock diseases and production in an ultimate goal of improving the food security and safety of the region and the country by enhancing livestock productivity and safeguarding the public from zoonosis.

Programs in the Animal Health Department (Regular and Extension)

Currently, the department is engaged in training and educating students in two modes of trainings (degree and level based) and two modes of admission (regular and extension) programs. Accordingly,

• A four-year regular degree program is launched and run on tri-partite affiliation basis (Amhara National Regional State Bureau of Agriculture, Wollo University and Kombolcha Agricultural College) to produce competent animal health professionals in which students are enrolled for Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSC). Besides, a regular admission is also made for Animal Health Care Service (AHCS) on level- based training.
• A level-based extension program has also been admitting students in Animal Health Care Service (AHCS) . This level based extension program is run by the college.

However, the department is currently working vigorously to expand its training programs at different levels in various areas of Animal Health and related science to meet emerging societal needs. To this effect, efforts have been exerted and all necessary preparations have been made to launch extension degree program (Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSC) to respond to the ever increasing societal demands for education which will be effective upon accreditations are obtained from pertinent bodies.