Page 13 - index

GENERAL NEWS
Animal Aspirations
Stephanie Stapleton (Year 3, BVetMed)
In 2018, the RVC achieved
a significant milestone for student diversity, as for the first time in its history, the percentage of ethnically
diverse students at the University reached over 10%. Although encouraging, our ambition is to hit a target of approximately 16% over the next five-seven years. The RVC Widening Participation team and Principal Stuart Reid have recognised the need to address the issue, and are getting behind an exciting new project set to put the RVC on the map as a leader in ethnic diversity.
Animal Aspirations is a student led project created to increase ethnic diversity in both the veterinary profession and animal-based careers. Through workshops, mentoring and blogs the project aims to provide inspiration, positive role models and practical advice to make a career working with animals a more tangible option for ethnically diverse students who may otherwise not have access to the advice and support they need.
The project not only provides support to aspiring students but also an opportunity for current RVC students to make a difference in their community; making
a positive impact on the future of the veterinary profession before they have
even graduated. The team are able to draw on recent first-hand experience of the challenges they have faced in their journey to tailor the resources and activities provided, making the project unique in its approach.
This year, Animal Aspirations
have attended careers
fairs and hosted several
workshops at London
schools and the Camden
Campus for school groups in
years eight to ten. Activities
are based on the veterinary
and biosciences teaching
RVC students receive,
including clinical scenarios,
histology and a physical
exam of a live dog, to give a
realistic insight into the life of
a student. It was a breath of
fresh air to see such a diverse
group of young students
working together and
enjoying the different styles of teaching. The workshop was also visited by her Royal Highness the Princess Royal who saw the project in action during her visit to the newly renovated Camden Campus in May 2019 (you can read more about the Royal visit on page eight).
The future of Animal Aspirations will
be in networking with like-minded people and organisations, with the
hope of expanding to other veterinary schools across the UK. The website
has recently been launched www.animalaspirations.org and you can email us at development@rvc.ac.uk if you would like more information.
The Animal Aspirations team
The Princess Royal meets students at a workshop
A student learning how to feel the femoral pulse.
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