Japanese students take turn to learn at Purdue's vet school

The visit is part of a cooperative arrangement between the school and Kitasato University in Towada, Japan. The exchange, which began in 1995, is organized by the school's International Programs in Veterinary Medicine.

"The students from Japan are coming here to do clinical rotations because of the advanced state of clinical sciences in the United States," said Abdelfattah Nour, director of the program and associate professor of basic medical sciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine. "We want to take this program to the next level and begin research collaborations because Kitasato University is doing excellent research that nicely complements what we are doing here at Purdue.

"This year we're honored to welcome their faculty mentor, Kiyotaka Watanabe, who is professor of veterinary biochemistry in Japan."

The students will spend two weeks in clinical observations involving diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, cardiology, oncology, community practice, small animal medicine, small animal surgery, large-animal surgery and large-animal medicine. In addition, this year their rotations include a stint at Pets and Vets as Partners, a private practice in West Lafayette.

Under the agreement, Kitasato University invites one faculty member from Purdue each year to visit the university for two weeks and present lectures, discuss potential research collaborations and participate in teaching and curriculum development. Nine faculty from Purdue have visited Kitasato as part of this program.

The School of Veterinary Medicine at Kitasato University has 19 laboratories and 45 faculty members.

Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine is home to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. The school serves as a major referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of all species of companion and food animals, as well as exotic pets and wildlife. The school has a faculty of 95, including specialists who are board-certified in their areas of expertise.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Abdelfattah Nour, (765) 494-5136, nour@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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