In 2015, the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences (JCC) partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to launch the Interdisciplinary PhD Programme. This initiative has since trained many exceptional PhD students, offering them unique research internships at Cornell University, where they gained invaluable hands-on experience working alongside their Cornell Co-supervisors in their laboratories.
On 18 -19 November 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting Professor Dave Lin, the Interdisciplinary PhD Programme Coordinator from Cornell University. During his visit, Professor Lin delivered insightful talks to our faculty and students, focusing on the vital role of proactive mentoring practices throughout the PhD journey. He emphasised the importance of aligning expectations between supervisors and students, identifying student needs, providing constructive feedback, and offering personal and career advice, among other crucial mentoring aspects. Prof Lin also met with our PhD students and faculty, including current supervisors and prospective mentors interested in supporting future candidates within the programme. These discussions offered valuable perspectives on their experiences, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at enhancing the quality of the PhD programme.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Lin for his visit and for generously sharing his insights on improving PhD education. We eagerly look forward to the continuation of our productive partnership with Cornell University, as we work together to shape the future landscape of postgraduate education in veterinary medicine. To learn more about JCC’s Interdisciplinary PhD Programme with Cornell University, please visit the programme website here.