Orientation 2017

Orientation Week got off to a great start in the School of Veterinary Medicine this week with our new MVB Graduate Entry students welcomed to the UCD Veterinary Community on Tuesday (5 September) and MVB and BSc Veterinary Nursing students joining orientation activities on Thursday (7 September).  The Dean, Professor Michael Doherty, welcomed both groups to UCD and congratulated them on their achievement of getting on to the Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Nursing programmes.  Professor Doherty highlighted the levels of excellence achieved in the Vet School across a range of activities and areas, and also the fact that Veterinary Medicine is the highest ranked subject in UCD in the QS rankings.  The Dean also spoke about the innovative curriculum development currently taking place in the School, and a number of development projects, including the new Clinical Skills Centre and CT and MRI installations in the Veterinary Hospital.  The unique opportunities offered by the School for Vet and Vet Nursing students to engage in interprofessional educational activities were also highlighted to all new students.

Dean & Head of School, Professor Michael Doherty

The Dean encouraged our new students to get interested and get involved in what’s going on in the School, highlighting the excellent musicians and sports people across the student body – our historic rugby victory over the medics also got a mention!  Other highlights of the Vet School calendar, including the Carol Service and the Dean's Clinical Club at lunchtime on Tuesdays, were also mentioned.  The Dean finished by encouraging our new students to become part of the community of support, the comhluadar, being built in the School and reminded them that we have an open door policy here, with the School Office Team and Dr Niamh Nestor, our Student Adviser, always there to help out when needed.

MVB and BSc Veterinary Nursing students during Orientation Week in the School of Veterinary Medicine

Students also met staff from a range of areas across the School and University – including our Educational Technologist, Mark Carty, Carmel Norris from the Veterinary Library, Máire O’Reilly from the Clinical Skills Centre and Fr Leon Ó Giolláin from UCD Chaplaincy.  The emphasis across the week is very much on the help and support available to students in the Vet School and across the University, and also the importance of communication.

A range of orientation events have been organised for new students in the School - everything from Health & Safety briefings to tours of the School, Hospital, Library and Campus, and visits to the Clinical Skills Centre and Lyons Farm.

We look forward to getting to know all of our new students in the coming weeks and months!‌