Mission
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Forestry perform the responsible mission to train students in "Veterinary Medicine" subject, which is included in the classification of higher education areas and professional fields in the Republic of Bulgaria, and according to state requirements agreed with the European Directive 2005/36/EC as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU, as so accredited curriculum and training programs according to Bulgarian legislation.
Aim and tasks
The major aim in front of the FVM is to teach the students and to prepare the veterinary physicians with “Master” degree, capable for operating in the diagnostic and therapeutic area of the veterinary medicine profession, in expert work control and food safety, in the scientific research sector, in administrative and organizational and legislating function, and other business both public and private sectors, requiring expert veterinary medicine competence. In line with this objective are laid several tasks, through which is ensured a quality education, better professional communication, more functional scientific development and full students realization after graduate and obtained Day One Competences.
History
In 1994, by a decision of the Academic Council of 16.08.1994, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was opened at the Higher Institute of Forestry. Subsequently, by a decree of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria of July 27, 1995, the Higher Institute of Forestry was renamed the University of Forestry. Since 1995, University of Forestry includes in its structure 6 faculties, one of which is "Veterinary Medicine".
Since the opening of the faculty in 1994, the following lecturers have been elected deans:
- Prof. Dr. Georgi Kovachev (FVM) 1994–1997;
- Prof. Dr. Lyubomir Kanchev (FVM) 1998–1998;
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yordan Kostadinov (FVM) 1999–2007;
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iliya Ralchev (FVM) - temporarily holding the position 2007-2007;
- Prof. Dr. Yotko Kamenov (FVM) 2007–2011;
- Prof. Dr. Bogdan Aminkov (FVM) 2011–2020;
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krassimira Genova (FVM) - from 2020 to the present.
Since its establishment, the faculty is one of the two in the country, in which graduates students with higher education in "Veterinary Medicine". In 2011, for the first time in Bulgaria, teaching in English was opened at the Faculty. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine annually trains about 550 students in the specialty "Veterinary Medicine" in the degree of "Master" (in full-time) and educational scientific degree "Doctor" (in independent, full-time and part-time) in Bulgarian and English. With a history of 27 years, the academic staff of FVM is proud of the achievements of its more than 1600 graduates who care for the health and welfare of animals and humans in Bulgaria and around the world.
Accreditation
In 2021, the professional field / specialty of the regulated professions "Veterinary Medicine" received another accreditation from the National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation.
The training in the specialty "Veterinary Medicine" is carried out only in a regular form and in an educational qualification degree - "Master". Under 10 accredited doctoral programs, full-time and part-time doctoral students and doctoral students are trained in an independent form of education.
The Faculty prepares doctoral students in the following scientific specialties:
- Breeding of farm animals, biology and biotechnology of reproduction
- Animal and human physiology
- Animal pathology
- Parasitology and invasive diseases of animals and humans
- Surgery, radiology and physiotherapy of animals
- Obstetrics and gynecology of animals and diseases of newborn animals
- Veterinary and sanitary expertise
- Epizootology, infectious diseases and prevention of infectious animal diseases
- Zoohygiene and organization of veterinary services
