Theme: Enhancing Clinical Skills and Animal Welfare
2025 Summer Internship Camp in Taiwan – Clinical Techniques Improve Animal Welfare
From July 14 to July 25, 2025, a group of students from the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry – Hue University, led by Dr. Bui Thi Hien, participated in the Veterinary Practical Training Program hosted by the College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University (Taiwan).
This program was part of the ongoing educational and research collaboration between the two institutions, aiming to enhance professional competencies and provide international practical experience for students.
Right from the first day, the students were introduced to the learning environment and modern facilities. They also took an entry assessment to evaluate their basic knowledge of anatomy and wound suturing skills.
The two-week training program covered a wide range of essential clinical practice topics, including: preparation of surgical instruments and operating room sterilization, physical examination, fecal and hematological testing, various clinical handling techniques, and most notably, observation and participation in the spay and neuter surgical procedures for dogs and cats.
One of the highlights of the program was the field visits to a private animal shelter, a government-run animal care center, and a large, modern private veterinary hospital. These visits provided students with valuable exposure to professional models of animal care and rescue, as well as opportunities to hear real-world experiences shared by the staff working at these facilities.
In addition, specialized lectures on animal behavior, accident response, and emergency treatment, along with a series of hands-on sessions in anesthesia, surgery, and post-operative care, offered in-depth clinical experiences that helped students improve their situational analysis skills and practical techniques.
Beyond academic activities, the program also offered students opportunities to explore local culture through city tours and group exchange sessions. During the final feedback interviews, all participating students expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the program’s practical value and the opportunity to experience an international veterinary training model.
Over the course of two weeks, the program significantly contributed to reinforcing students’ veterinary knowledge, improving their practical skills, and boosting their confidence in pursuing career paths in veterinary medicine. This was not only a learning journey but also a meaningful cultural experience — fostering connection and valuable collaboration between two veterinary training institutions in the region.
Additionally, on this occasion, Dr. Bui Thi Hien had the opportunity to meet with Professor Ter-Hsin Chen, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, to discuss future directions for collaborative research and training between the two institutions.
She also visited and held discussions at several laboratories within the faculty, including those focused on Immunology, Microbiology, and the Diagnostic Center, with the aim of fostering future research collaboration between the two departments.
