SETU Welcomes Approval for New Veterinary Schools and Development of State-of-the-Art Facilities

South East Technological University (SETU) has officially welcomed the approval of the capital programme supporting the Veterinary Places Activation Programme (VPAP). This exciting initiative will lead to the creation of two new veterinary schools at SETU and Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, announced the approval today, allowing SETU and ATU to appoint design teams and move forward with plans for their new veterinary facilities. This marks a significant milestone in the expansion of Ireland’s veterinary education capacity and will play a key role in meeting the national demand for skilled veterinary professionals. Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, described the approval as a "landmark development" for the university and the South East region. "The new school will attract fresh talent to the region, foster stronger collaboration across industries and drive growth in the vital One Health domain," said Prof Campbell. She also thanked the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Departments of Further and Higher Education and Agriculture, Food and the Marine for their ongoing support. The announcement sets the stage for the first major development by SETU on the Glassworks site in Waterford City. The new facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, teaching spaces, and specialist resources to support the university's new Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (MVB) programme. A 1,000m² specialist facility at Teagasc Kildalton College in Co. Kilkenny will complement this development, focusing on animal biology and anatomy education while providing students access to a range of animal handling and husbandry facilities. "This announcement builds on SETU’s strong partnership with Teagasc Kildalton College, creating a distinctive platform for veterinary medicine education and research," Prof Campbell added. The collaboration will offer students a modern learning environment and professional development opportunities for practising veterinarians. Dr. Mary-Kate Burke, Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at SETU, highlighted the importance of these new facilities for students. "The new facilities will be designed with modern teaching methods in mind, ensuring our students are fully prepared for professional practice," she said. Technology will play a key role in student learning, with the Glassworks campus incorporating clinical skills labs, simulated surgical suites, and cutting-edge tools like ultrasound, x-ray, and 3D printing. Both SETU and Teagasc Kildalton College will offer technology-enhanced teaching spaces, enabling students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts while developing essential teamwork and communication skills for the veterinary industry. The new veterinary schools will also act as hubs for continuing professional development, supporting accreditation and skills advancement across the profession. SETU's five-year MVB programme, set to begin in September 2026, will offer students focused scientific, clinical, and professional training in veterinary medicine. The programme, which follows the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s accreditation standards, will be delivered in three phases: foundation, clinical, and professional. The final phase is unique to SETU, offering a distributed model of clinical education. For more information about SETU’s MVB programme, visit SETU | MVB in Veterinary Medicine . 03/12/2024. Education Supplement, SETU Pictured is Prof. Veronica Campbell President, South East Technological University. Photograph: Patrick browne Photograph: Patrick Browne