REMINDER: VIN Foundation 5th Annual Solutions for the Profession Competition

 A friendly reminder that the VIN Foundation's 5th Annual Solutions for the Profession Competition closes to submissions Sunday, February 28, 2021, 11:59pm PT!

Calling ALL veterinary students!!!

Think you have innovative ideas and solutions to issues facing the veterinary medicine community?  Could you use an extra hand with school related expenses?  Look no further!  The VIN Foundation is holding their 5th Annual Solutions for the Profession Competition!

TOPIC: Diversity in the Veterinary Profession

In 1,000 words or less, please detail at least one of the following topics:

• What diversity challenges are currently faced by the profession, and what can be done to improve the situation?
• What steps is your veterinary school taking to address diversity challenges, and what solutions do you think would improve the situation?

DEADLINE: Competition is NOW OPEN and will close to submissions Sunday, February 28, 2021, 11:59pm PT.  Winners will be announced by April 30, 2021!

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

• First Place: $3,000
• Second Place: $1,500
• Third Place: $1,000

Essays must be submitted online - CLICK HERE to get started!

The IDEA Student Innovation Competition

Take a peek at this amazing opportunity shared with us by Dr. Rob Trimble of the Veterinary Entrepreneurship Academy!  Applications for the IDEA Student Innovation Competition are NOW OPEN!

• 'Best described as a cross between Shark Tank and Silicon Valley's startup accelerator Y-Combinator, this program helps veterinary students refine their own business ideas and gives them an opportunity to win cash to help start their business. 
• 33 teams began the competition last year, with the top teams completing the program with a fully-established company, a fleshed-out business plan, and startup funding.
• If 50 SAVMA members submit an idea, we'll give everyone in SAVMA access to our 10-hour video course that covers the fundamentals of entrepreneurship!'

Click to read more ...

Merck Vet Manual and VetMedAcademy Sponsored Contest Yields “COVID Educational Creations” Learning Module for Veterinary Students

Earlier on in quarantine, VetMedAcademy and the Merck Veterinary Manual sponsored a contest to identify those who have discovered and deployed innovative online approaches to reaching and encouraging interaction with their distant students. 

A link to the learning module, which consists of 13 examples developed from the winning educational resources, may be accessed (free registration is required) at www.vetmedacademy.org/covid-educational-creations-contest-page. The names of the award winners and the titles of their entries are listed on this page.  

All of the submitted educational resources are shared on VetMedAcademy.org.

VetMedAcademy and the Merck Veterinary Manual sought entries from instructors who had “turned lemons into lemonade.” The relevant topics included any in veterinary medicine and/or animal health, and all instructors (faculty, resident, intern or other) in veterinary or veterinary technician programs were eligible to apply. Evidence of positive student feedback was in some cases submitted to strengthen the instructor’s entry.  

The submissions were reviewed on creativity and instructional merit by four judges: a practicing veterinarian, a recent veterinary graduate and past chair of the educational committee of the International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA), a veterinary specialist and editor, and an educationalist specializing in online education.

Click to read more ...

Animal Welfare Judging & Assessment Competition

The 10th Animal Welfare Judging & Assessment Competition (AWJAC) is quickly approaching!

Michigan State University (MSU) will once again host this fun and educational event on November 21^st and 22^nd in East Lansing, MI.  The competition is split into three divisions: undergraduate, graduate and veterinary students. Students may compete as individuals or on teams comprised of 3-5 students.  This year competitors will be assessing giraffes (as the exotic species), working dogs (as the companion animal species), broiler chickens (as 1 of the agricultural animal species) and the on-farm assessment will pertain to beef cattle.

The following Web site will help provide you with information on the competition:http://animalwelfare.msu.edu/animalwelfare/contest 

Entries are due on October 15^th.  Entry forms and the rules/guidelines for the competition can be found on the MSU Web site.  For more information or questions about the competition please contact Cami Heleski heleski@msu.edu . 

AVMA is pleased to offer assistance with travel expenses (transportation, lodging, meals) for veterinary students of AVMA Council on Education-accredited colleges/schools of veterinary medicine who choose to participate in the competition.  Travel assistance is made possible by an animal welfare activities grant to our Animal Welfare Division from GSK.  Up to $500 per veterinary student for up to 20 students will be provided, and advance application must be made using the form found at http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/intercollegiate.asp. Travel grant applications should be directed to:     

Dr. Gail C. Golab
Director, Animal Welfare Division
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 North Meacham Rd, Suite 100
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
ggolab@avma.org