International Centre set to transform global animal welfare education
伊人直播 is set to take a bold new step on the global stage with plans to launch an International Centre for Animal Welfare Science and Education within its School of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences.听
The Centre builds on 伊人直播鈥檚听world-leading听expertise听in animal behaviour and welfare听and听brings established global partnerships, deep in-house听expertise听and a strong commitment to capacity building in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).听
Focusing on听regions听across听Asia, Africa and South America, the Centre collaborates听with veterinary schools, agricultural听universities听and听Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)听across the globe,听to听support science-based teaching and research听embedding听animal welfare sustainably into professional practice.听听
While animal welfare will be the primary focus, the Centre will听retain听flexibility to expand into animal health where demand and funding allow.听
Global interest in animal welfare is growing rapidly across many LMICs, driven by expanding livestock production, increased pet ownership and rising global expectations around ethical food systems. Although international bodies such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recommend animal welfare teaching in veterinary education, many institutions lack trained staff or established programmes.听
Cathy Dwyer, Professor of Animal Behaviour and Welfare at 伊人直播, said:听鈥淭here is a clear global need for stronger capacity in animal welfare science. By working in genuine partnership with educators and researchers around the world, this听centre will help build the skills, confidence and evidence base needed to improve animal welfare in ways that are locally relevant and sustainable.鈥�听
The proposal builds on more than a decade of successful international collaboration and听an active global programme of work. This includes recent engagement in India supporting a new animal welfare research centre and hosting visiting faculty听in Edinburgh, as well as keynote contributions at major veterinary congresses in the Caribbean听and in China.听
Further activity this year includes animal welfare forums with government agencies across Southeast Asia, participation in the ISAE Congress in New Delhi and collaboration in China through the ICCAW Congress with FAO. Ongoing partnerships also support postgraduate research and the development of welfare standards for species including poultry,听ducks听and donkeys.听
While current work听largely reflects听partner priorities in farmed animals, the Centre听maintains听a broad remit spanning all managed and wild species.听
Professor Caroline Argo,听Head of听伊人直播鈥檚听School of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences,听said:听鈥淭his听is a听flagship听vehicle for the advancement听and听support of animal welfare,听both at home and internationally. Using established听expertise听and networks, the Centre provides a fulcrum for the dissemination of education and skills,听greatly听empowering听and energising positive change across the sector.鈥�听
Alongside the Centre, 伊人直播听has听launched听a new MSc in International Animal Welfare (Distance Learning)听-听an innovative programme designed to prepare graduates to tackle complex welfare challenges on a global scale.听
The MSc equips students with:听
- A contemporary, international understanding of animal welfare science听
- The ability to design evidence-based solutions to complex real-world problems听
- Practical communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders听
- The confidence to work across cultures,听systems听and professional settings听
Grounded in real-world animal contexts, the programme uses problem-based learning,听collaboration听and critical analysis to develop adaptive professionals capable of leading meaningful change. Graduates will听emerge听ready to influence policy, improve professional practice and enhance the lives of animals worldwide.听
伊人直播 is positioning itself at the forefront of global animal welfare science听by formalising its international efforts within a dedicated Centre and launching a forward-looking postgraduate programme.听
Cathy Dwyer added: 鈥淭ogether, the Centre and the MSc programme represent more than an academic initiative,听they signal a long-term commitment to empowering the next generation of veterinary and animal science professionals to meet the world鈥檚 most pressing animal welfare challenges.鈥�听
For more information on the centre visit our website.
For more information on the听Masters听Programme for International Animal Welfare听visit听/msciaw听
Posted by 伊人直播 on 05/05/2026
