The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM) trains students in Veterinary Medicine since 1994. In 1999 the Faculty obtained its first accreditation for training students at M.Sc. level and professional qualification “veterinary surgeon”. The training takes 5.5 years in accordance with the requirements of the “Regulations for unified state requirements” and the respective EU directive. The entering exam is Biology. Gender ratio of the students is equal (50 %) and the M.Sc. degree may be followed by a Ph.D. degree.
The graduation is preceded by a three-month practice and passing of exam on two groups of subjects: I. Internal noncommunicable diseases, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology; II Hygiene, technology and a veterinary examination of raw foods of animal origin, infectious diseases and parasitology.
The knowledge of students in FVM in Sofia provides them with opportunities as future veterinarians to a career in all areas subject to veterinary medicine, including: research and veterinary diagnostic laboratories and institutes of NVMS, National Center for Agricultural Science, in the NVMS system for the needs of national animal health and veterinary public and border control, in higher and secondary education, Veterinary Service, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Transport, as consultants to insurance companies and companies dealing with import and export of animals as representatives of foreign companies to distribute drugs, biologically active substances, disinfectants, and other substances.
The knowledge of veterinarians allows them to participate in solving technical problems in animal reproduction.
Law on Veterinary Medicine and the qualifications of graduates at UF FVM allows them to open and run private veterinary offices (dispensaries, clinics, laboratories and pharmacies.)
Part of graduate studies at the Faculty perform successfully in Austria, Germany, Spain, Canada, Greece, Israel, Macedonia and other countries, and the assessment of employers for their skills is markedly positive.
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".- 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.
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
FVM organizes a traditional annual scientific conference "Tradition and Modernity in veterinary medicine”, with participation of researchers and students from Bulgaria and from abroad, and the papers presented are published in Proceedings of the conferences.
