(From left) Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Dan Grooms, ISU President Wendy Wintersteen, University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine Head Rory Breathnach, University College Dublin President Orla Feely, Kansas State University President Richard Linton and Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine Interim Dean Beth Davis came together in Dublin to sign an agreement for collaboration in academics and research. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University)
After taking a trip across the pond for both athletics and academics, Iowa State University has entered into an agreement with Kansas State University and University College Dublin for future collaboration in veterinary medicine instruction and research.
According to a news release from ISU, President Wendy Wintersteen joined leaders from Kansas State and University College Dublin in signing “a memorandum of cooperation and understanding” for each institutions’ college of veterinary medicine in order to form an academic exchange program and encourage working together for research.
“Today’s agreement signing is the culmination of highly valued collaborative efforts from all institutions involved to further enhance the educational experience for our students,” said University College Dublin President Orla Feely in the release.
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The U.S. universities visited Dublin, Ireland in late August for a summit on agriculture technology and the Aer Lingus Football Classic, won by the Iowa State football team against Kansas State with a score of 24-21. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also attended the summit alongside industry partners, according to a news release from University College Dublin.
Discussions during the summit focused on precision farming, ways for universities and industry partners to foster economic development and the One Health initiative, according to the release, which is described by the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine as an “integrative effort of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally and globally to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association states online that One Health works off of the idea that humans, animals and the environment are all linked, and all must be addressed to ensure healthy and resilient communities. The ISU news release stated the university “has a long history of engagement with One Health.”
Dan Grooms, dean of the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, said in the release the new agreement will build on foundations of collaboration already made by researchers and the agriculture student exchange program established between ISU and University College Dublin.
Having the chance to work across the globe with experts is “vital for addressing issues such as antimicrobial resistance,” Grooms said in the release.
“Antimicrobial resistance impacts animals, humans, the environment and plants. There are valuable perspectives that come from conversations with people around the world to understand how we combat antimicrobial resistance,” Grooms said in the release. “The practicalities of what can and cannot be done are different in other countries, which is why we must think of this at a global level.”
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