Page 49 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2024
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CLASSNOTES
A postgraduate’s story –
MSc Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health
Meet Emilly: Meet Thilini:
Educating disadvantaged Aiming to make an impact
communities in research
Emilly Niwandinda – Uganda Thilini Kumarasinghe – Sri Lanka
Why did you choose to study your course with the RVC and University of London?
During my veterinary career, diseases have been a major I chose to study because of the renowned excellence
hindrance to the production of smallholder farmers in Uganda. in veterinary education and research, and its
In addition, the increase in antimicrobial resistance to the prestigious global reputation. The distance learning
available drugs on the market have even complicated livestock format was particularly attractive, as it allowed me to
production further. Throughout, there have been more questions balance my studies with professional and personal
than answers. Therefore, I chose this master’s programme commitments, providing a world-class education,
because it was directly responding to these questions. without the need to relocate.
Please tell us your job and briefly what it entails?
I am pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry, where my research focuses
I am a Veterinary Inspector working with the Republic of
Uganda Government under the Ministry of Agriculture, on improving parenteral nutrition through piglet studies.
Animal Industry and Fisheries.
In what ways were you able to apply your learnings from the course to your job while you were still a student?
I worked with a private company that reached out to My veterinary studies and now, this MSc, have provided me
disadvantaged youth, especially women, and trained them with a comprehensive understanding of animal disease and
in livestock enterprises value chains. I was responsible for prevention, competency in surgical skills, and the ability to apply
conducting hands-on training. My course helped me a lot animal welfare principles in research settings. Additionally, I have
in designing the teaching materials for livestock nutrition, gained significant expertise in data analysis. This multidisciplinary
livestock management, as well as animal welfare. background enables me to investigate biochemical processes
comprehensively, combining knowledge from veterinary science
and public health to advance research in my field.
What are your career plans for the future and how do you think your MSc will help you achieve them?
People in our community have the potential to move away from I plan to use my diversified experience to contribute to
poverty, but are limited by lack of information. Some have tried advancements in veterinary medicine and public health.
farming before, but due to poor/lack of information, they fail. My Ultimately, I aim for a career in academia or research,
plan is to reach out to disadvantaged communities and provide where I can continue to make impactful contributions to
farming knowledge to help them improve their production. these fields.
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