Filipino, South Korean veterinarians join hands to advance veterinary medicine education

Pet Food Institute receives presidential citation at the 41st VPAP Annual Scientific Conference

In photo (L-R): Park Chul, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Master of Science (MS), Seoul Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) Secretary General; Eun-Pil Son, DVM, Phd, SVMA President; Douglas Kim, DVM, SVMA Ambassador-at-Large; Jinny Dolendo, Pet Food Institute (PFI) Representative; Gabriel Paz, DVM, Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP) President.

The Philippine veterinary community recently capped off another successful celebration of veterinary education, trade, and industry relations at the Veterinary Practitioner’s Association of the Philippines’ (VPAP) Annual Scientific Conference in Pasig City.

The two-day fete featured informative scientific sessions for members of the veterinary medicine community, various brand exhibitions that displayed the thriving industry, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines and South Korea to signify a growing partnership in veterinary education.

For 41 years, VPAP has formed strong and international networks that continue to allow the growth of the foundation and platforms of veterinary medicine in the Philippines. This year’s conference theme, “Achieving New Levels in Education towards a Certified Veterinary Practitioner (CVP)”, demonstrates VPAP’s unwavering commitment to cultivating education and research to further develop the veterinary practice across the country.

With a shared vision of advancing veterinary medicine through building education and partnerships, VPAP and the Seoul Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) seek to drive initiatives and extensive programs that motivate educational growth and development in the Philippines and South Korea. VPAP and SVMA are poised to deliver scientific exchange and collaboration to expand and develop the scholastic and trade network.

“It is through the heightened value of education as well as strong local and global ties that we are able to successfully pioneer the practice of veterinary medicine in the Philippines. We believe that our efforts will see a more developed and holistic community that will produce the finest Filipino veterinarians throughout the country,” said VPAP President Gabriel Paz, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

As partner in education and in driving action towards responsible pet ownership in the Philippines, VPAP recognized the ongoing efforts of the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and its Well-fed, Well-Nurtured campaign through a presidential citation in this year’s conference. In 2012, PFI and VPAP joined forces to roll out informative initiatives on overall pet care and wellbeing.

“VPAP has been an integral part in developing a well-informed pet community in the Philippines through setting educational programs in motion. As we embark on another year of milestones and progress, we will continue to work with VPAP to drive the values and vision of PFI and foster proper pet nutrition and animal welfare in the country,” said Pet Food Institute President Duane Ekedahl.