Susan Dawson has become the first woman to be elected chairman of the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC).
Prof Dawson will guide the council as it works across the sector to build and promote UK veterinary education and research.
Broad collaboration
This will include working with the RCVS on improving graduate outcomes, coordinating with medicine and dentistry on antimicrobial stewardship, and keeping the Government informed of the benefit of EU staff and research funding as we enter critical stages of the Brexit process.
Prof Dawson is dean of the University of Liverpool Institute of Veterinary Science, and has a background in infectious disease and public health.
She is an RCVS council member – chairing its education committee – and a non-executive director at Pets at Home.
Key themes
Prof Dawson said: “I am delighted to have been chosen to lead the council over the next period of its development and am keen to take forward the themes identified in the VSC’s strategic plan. These include leadership, recruitment and research, as well as curriculum and assessment.
“My experience in education matters will be helpful as we continue working with the royal college and employers to ensure graduate outcomes are appropriate to today’s workplace.”
‘Excellent hands’
Prof Dawson has succeeded Ewan Cameron as chairman.
Prof Cameron said: “The VSC has made great progress in the past three years, with its links with other bodies in the sector now deeper than ever before and its committees of vet school experts generating work ranging from admissions guidance to research mentorship.
“The council will now be in excellent hands with Susan, and I look forward to its continuing positive influence on veterinary education.”
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