Mr Huang extended his heartfelt congratulations to the graduates for reaching this significant milestone in the history of CityU. He said their journey had not been easy, but their hard work, dedication and perseverance had brought them to this moment of triumph.

“Our graduates have a vital responsibility to raise public awareness of the welfare of animals. Through their dedication, our graduates will continue to foster a compassionate society that values and respects the rights of animals,” he said.

Mr Huang added that he was immensely proud that CityU’s BVM programme was the first in Asia to achieve dual accreditation from the RCVS and AVBC in September, which not only stands as a testament to the exceptional quality of CityU’s BVM programme, but also showcases the excellence and dedication of CityU’s faculty, staff and stakeholders over more than a decade.

In his remarks, President Boey congratulated the graduates for overcoming various obstacles to get to where they are today, as the challenge of getting dual accreditation was immense for the faculty and the first cohort of students, especially during the three long years of the pandemic.

“I am more than confident that you are well prepared to show society that vets care about more than just pet cats and dogs. Indeed, vets play a pivotal role in food production and food safety and even in dealing with the next possible global pandemic,” he said.

 

Professor Barrs expressed her gratitude to Cornell University for collaborating with CityU on our outstanding BVM programme, and to CityU’s other partners for working with the vet school over many years. “This collaboration has been a transformative journey, bringing together the expertise, resources and passion of both universities.”

She also expressed her warmest congratulations to the graduates. “I am delighted for you, as you have now been awarded and rewarded with a dual accredited degree,” added she.

After leading the BVM graduates in reciting the Veterinarian’s Oath, Professor Barrs announced that with the approval of the VSB, all 11 graduates are registered as Veterinary Surgeons in Hong Kong.

 

Professor Warnick said that Cornell University appreciates the collaboration with CityU over many years to launch the first dual-accredited BVM programme and is proud to have played a role in the graduates’ education.

“While your observational skills and understanding of medicine and surgery are important, it is also critical to develop exceptional communication skills,” he reminded the graduates. “It is essential not only to know what to do in a given situation, but also to communicate with pet owners effectively so that your recommendations are accepted and carried out.”

 

Dr Joey Lam Chun-hei, Graduate Representative, thanked CityU for starting the first BVM programme in Hong Kong. She said that although being the leading cohort and not having any seniors before them was a little nerve-racking at first, with all the support and advice from professors, faculty and clinic staff, and the strong peer support from her classmates, she learnt how to bounce back from challenging situations the following day.

“I have learnt so much more about the important role of the veterinary profession to safeguard animal, human and environmental health through the One-Health concept. I have worked with so many nice people along the journey, who have motivated and inspired me. We aspire to be the same type of people and to lead future developments in the vet profession,” she added.