The Fiji National University may close the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry program in 2025, says Education Minister Aseri Radrodro.
The minister told Parliament the program started in 2014 with 40 students but after six years, only 10 students graduated in 2019.
“To date, 66 students have graduated from the university since 2019,” Mr Radrodro said.
“Four of these graduates were from other countries in the South Pacific.
“The lack of a Veterinary Council in Fiji is a major setback since a council could have managed most of the post-graduation events that FNU is currently involved in, including continuous professional development.”
Mr Radrodro said such a council would bring stakeholders together to manage veterinary practice and report to the Ministry of Agriculture.
“More vets are needed, not only to fill vacancies, but new vets can stimulate the setup of more commercial livestock operations.”
The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for registering veterinary doctors to practise in Fiji.
