Graduate Studies in Poultry Health Sciences: A Comprehensive Online Program
Program Overview
The Poultry Health Sciences Graduate Degree spans three years, incorporating online coursework and a total of five weeks of on-site practical training, as well as a two-week externship.
Utilizing online and distance learning methods, students benefit from unparalleled flexibility, enabling them to study at their own pace and from any location worldwide.
This groundbreaking online degree program integrates state-of-the-art learning and teaching methodologies while fostering interaction between professors and students across the globe.
The course, supplemented by brief on-site practical training sessions, equips students with a thorough understanding of both theoretical and hands-on knowledge.
Designed to accommodate individuals with ongoing employment or other obligations, the program caters to a diverse range of educational backgrounds, not limited to veterinarians, but also individuals interested in poultry health sciences.
Shanghai Rankings – Veterinary Sciences
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine holds the prestigious top spot in the Shanghai Rankings for Veterinary Sciences.
Global Availability
The Poultry Health Sciences Graduate Degree is offered across three continents: Latin America, Europe and Asia
Course Context
The livestock sector faces mounting pressure to meet the burgeoning demand for high-value animal protein. Driven by factors such as population growth, increased income, and urbanization, the world’s livestock sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace.
Poultry serves as a highly sustainable source of animal protein, requiring minimal land and water resources while exhibiting superior feed conversion efficiency compared to other livestock.
Characterized by highly effective production systems and cutting-edge technology, successful poultry production necessitates expertise in various disciplines, including management, husbandry, biosecurity, health, nutrition, disease control, sustainability, animal welfare, and food safety.
The poultry industry provides millions of global job opportunities, with a projected need for thousands of qualified professionals in various areas, including veterinary sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, nutrition, disease and quality control, sustainability, eco-friendly production, animal welfare, digitalization, and poultry product development.
Advanced Professional Training
Specialized training courses and workshops enhance the skill sets of employees in veterinary practices, pharmaceutical companies, animal feed and additive manufacturers, research institutes, and universities.
Such training allows professionals to deepen their expertise in poultry health sciences, bolstering their career prospects in the poultry sector.
However, brief technical training sessions can only cover the latest developments in poultry health issues. Thus, the Poultry Health Sciences Graduate Degree was created to provide an extensive educational program, bridging the gap between research and field expertise.
Poultry Health Sciences Chair
In 2019, the Poultry Health Sciences Chair was established at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University (Belgium), enabling the institution to showcase its expertise in global poultry farming.
The chair was jointly established by the Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology, and Zoological Medicine (Prof. Dr. Filip Van Immerseel and Prof. Dr. Siska Croubels, promoters chair) and two Flemish companies, Vetworks and Poulpharm. Prof. Dr. Gunther Antonissen was appointed as the chairholder.
This unique opportunity fosters collaboration with national and international industrial partners, universities, and research institutes focused on poultry research and education.
Successful poultry production requires a wide range of expertise, including management, housing and climate control, disease control, nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare.
As a result, there is a significant demand for trained and educated professionals.
Additionally, there is a pressing need for practical solutions to address various challenges, such as infectious and non-infectious diseases, and heightened consumer awareness of food safety, sustainability, and animal welfare, all of which necessitate fundamental and applied research.
The partnership between Ghent University and the companies Vetworks and Poulpharm serves to enhance both education and research within the field of poultry health sciences.
In conclusion, the Poultry Health Sciences Graduate Degree program offers a comprehensive educational experience, designed to accommodate a diverse range of students and their respective interests within the poultry industry.
By providing an in-depth understanding of both theoretical and practical knowledge, this program seeks to create a new generation of skilled professionals capable of addressing the complex challenges faced by the ever-growing poultry sector.
Through collaboration with industry partners, universities, and research institutes, the program strives to foster advancements in poultry health sciences, ultimately contributing to the industry’s sustainable growth and global success.
