Page 22 - VHSA - Onderstepoort 100 Years - Part 2

OND
ERSTEPOORT 100
Although there have been several achievements in research, the following three warrant special mention: The first bacterial genome to be sequenced in Africa, that of Ehrlichia ruminantium, was published in January 2005
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Science (USA), which has an impact factor of 10.272.
This was collaborative work between the DVTD, OVI
and other international institutions. The BioPAD project, ‘Development of a Molecular Diagnostic Test Kit for Tick-borne Pathogens’, which is coordinated by the department, was listed as a Flagship Project in BioPAD’s annual report for 2004. In 2006 the DVTD, in collaboration with the OVI, was awarded a Research Niche Area entitled ‘Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Domestic and Wild Animals’ by the NRF.
In addition, there are a number of non-thematic, ad hoc projects, which are usually undertaken to address the specific needs of postgraduate students.
The department has recently expanded its molecular biology capacity, and is already reaping
the benefits. Examples are the description
of new species of blood parasites, based
on molecular characterization, and the development of new molecular diagnostic techniques, particularly for Theileria and
82 other blood parasites in domestic and wild animals, especially African buffaloes.
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, USA, which have resulted in an array of collaborative projects that have attracted substantial research funding. Memoran- da of Understanding were signed in 2004 with the African
The DVTD supports the community ser-
vice programme of the Faculty through
running a number of Continued Profes-
sional Development (CPD) courses for
veterinarians and animal health officers,
as well as community outreach research
projects and diagnostic services to a wide
range of clients. It is not the mandate of
the department to render an extensive
diagnostic service to outside clients. It
provides diagnostic services, linked to the
training of students, to the Onderstepoort
mic Hospital and other departments in the Faculty. Specialized diagnostic or other laboratory services e.g. testing of efficacy of disinfectants and vaccines are rendered and reagents or antigens are produced for outside clients on request, provided these are financially beneficial for the department.
“The DVTD supports the community service programme of the Faculty through running a number of Continued Professional Development courses for veterinarians and animal health officers, as well as community outreach research projects and diagnostic services to a wide range of clients.”
Union Tick and Tick-borne Disease Centre, Lilongwe, Malawi, and, in 2005, with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Ser- vices, South Africa.
The year 1998 was historic in that for the first time representatives from each of the Veterinary Faculties (Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region met to plan an MSc degree based on the priorities of the region in terms of animal health and production. Substantial financial support was received from NORAD (Norway) thus making it possible for the representatives of the various institutions to meet on several occasions.
Veterinary Acade-
Zootechnology/Ethology
Zootechnology, or ethology as it was later called, had a rather chequered history in the veterinary faculty, different aspects being accommodated in various departments over the years. From 1920 to 1925 it was taught by Prof A.M. Bosman of the agricultural faculty. In 1926 J.H.R. Bisschop, one of the first group of eight students to qualify at Onderstepoort, was appointed as lecturer and head of a new Department of Zootechnology, a position he retained until his retirement in
The DVTD and/or the Faculty has formed various strategic alliances, e.g. with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands, Department of Animal Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium and the
PART 2
Faculty of Veterinary Science: General History
1908-2008
Years