School of Veterinary Science celebrates Royal Opening

At the end of last year The Prince of Wales, officially opened Aberystwyth University’s School of Veterinary Science, where he met some of the first cohort of students who began in September 2021.

A key part of Wales’ first and only School of Veterinary Science, the centre represents an investment of more than £2 million in new teaching facilities on the University’s Penglais campus. Featuring brand new anatomy and study facilities, the centre was funded from alumni donations totalling £500,000 and the University's own funds.

The Prince unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the School and also signed the same visitors’ book that he signed back in 1969 while studying Welsh at Aberystwyth University. "I have very special memories of that time and finding my way around Aberystwyth in general. I'm so impressed having seen what the school has done here and am delighted to have had a very small part to play in helping to open it. I do hope [the students] will have great success in the future and the school will flourish,” he added.

The royal visitor was welcomed by the Aberystwyth University’s Chancellor, Lord Thomas of Cwmgïedd, and Vice Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Treasure together with the Royal Veterinary College’s Vice Principal for Learning and Assessment, Professor Adrian Boswood.

University Chancellor Lord Thomas of Cwmgïedd, said: "It was a great honour to welcome The Prince back to Aberystwyth University. We are immensely grateful to him for opening the School which is, without a doubt, of great national significance. Tremendous thanks go to the staff, students, donors, and all our partners who have enabled us to begin training vets in Wales for the first time. The visit today is testament to the importance of establishing Wales' first Veterinary School here in Aberystwyth. It is an incredibly exciting development. Aberystwyth University is growing, and in very important fields: with veterinary science this year and nursing education starting next year.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Treasure said: “It was a privilege to join students, staff, alumni and special guests at the official opening today. Agriculture and its related industries play such an important part in the Welsh economy and it is incumbent on us as universities to provide the people and skills that will contribute to ensuring they thrive for years to come. The School of Veterinary Science adds a vitally important new piece of the jigsaw, one that will build resilience in the rural economy through education and research at a time of great potential change and challenges.”

The veterinary students will spend the first two years at Aberystwyth University followed by three years’ studying at the Royal Veterinary College’s Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire, as part of the joint veterinary degree.The course also provides opportunities for students to study specific areas of veterinary science through the medium of Welsh, which is partly funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

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