GENERAL INFORMATION
The Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases is one out of the nine component academic Departments in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Â Initially in 1980, it existed as a Veterinary Obstetrics Unit in the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Obstetrics, but in the year 2005, it attained the status of an independent academic department named Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases. Â The Department offers courses in Veterinary Gynecology, Obstetrics, Andrology and Artificial Insemination to undergraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students as part of the core courses needed to produce graduates of Veterinary Medicine (Doctors of Veterinary Medicine). Â The Department also offers Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases as further specialized training for Veterinarians who may want to specialize in the area of Animal Reproduction and Reproductive Diseases. Â As good reproductive performance is vital for profitable animal production, the Department plays a key role in the upbringing of Veterinarians and further specialized training of Veterinarians wishing to specialize in the area of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases.
OBJECTIVE, PHILOSOPHY AND SCOPE
The objective of the undergraduate programme of the Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases is to contribute to the production of high quality Veterinary graduates by equipping students of the undergraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme with knowledge and training in the area of Veterinary Gynecology, Obstetrics, Andrology, Artificial Insemination, and other aspects of assisted reproduction in animals. Â The higher degree programmes (MSc and PhD) further gives the Veterinarians specializing in Animal Reproduction in-depth and advanced training in the above listed areas, and beyond becoming specialized in these areas are also offered research training and opportunity for further studies in the areas of Veterinary Gynecology, Obstetrics, Andrology and Artificial Insemination. Â The ultimate products of the Department programmes are Veterinarians and Specialized Animal Reproduction experts who can diagnose, handle, treat, manage and carry out research in the area of reproductive disorders and fertility challenges in animals, and who can use modern assisted reproduction techniques to enhance animal reproduction.
Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases is both an art and a science dealing with the reproductive health and reproductive diseases of animals. Â The sciences embodies specialized knowledge gained through training, observation and research, while the art involves the acquisition of skills and ability to handle animal reproduction problems.
The role that enhanced reproduction plays in the overall profitability of livestock enterprises cannot be underestimated. Â Thus, by arming Veterinarians and Animal Reproduction experts with knowledge and capabilities in Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases, the Department contributes its quota to the upbringing of high quality Animal Health experts.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme who amongst other courses had been trained in the area of Veterinary Gynecology, Obstetrics, Andrology and Artificial Insemination are readily employable in the Veterinary Division of Federal, State and Local government public services where they are needed for Veterinary, clinical services, food animal production, pet care, and animal disease control and eradication programmes. Â They are also readily employed in livestock and poultry farms, Universities, Colleges of Agriculture, Research Institutes, the Police, Army, Immigrations, Zoos and Wild Life Reserves etc. Â A large proportion of Veterinary graduates go into private practice which had formed a strong anchorage for pet care and small scale animal production.
Higher degree graduates of the Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases render specialized animal reproduction services in breeding farms, zoos and games reserves. Â They are also involved in research and training in areas of reproduction in universities, research institutes and veterinary divisions of other allied establishments.
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