Master of Veterinary Public Health

(Taught in English)

Overview

In the current period, people are facing many problems such as global overpopulation, globalization, and increasing material and spiritual needs. To meet those needs, the development of animal husbandry and veterinary services makes a significant contribution. In addition to positive contributions such as improvement of  productivity to ensure food safety and security, as well as animal welfare to serve physical and spiritual life for people; This development also leads to many consequences. In particular, there are environmental pollution, destruction of biological balance, and climate change. The increase in livestock density also rises the risk for zoonotic diseases. Scientists have estimated that about 70-75% of diseases in humans are of animal origin. This has been proven through pandemics occurring in the world in recent times such as HIV, Ebola, highly pathogenic avian influenza, SARS, smallpox virus, Nipah virus disease, or even COVID19 which are believed to be related to animals. The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock also leads to the consequences of antibiotic resistance in humans. It is estimated that every year in the world, nearly 5 million people die due to antibiotic resistance. All of the above issues cannot be easily solved from one stakeholder, they require a One Health approach – which means that a partnership among stakeholders such as producers, veterinarians, health professionals, policy makers… is a must  to solve. Specifically in this partnership, the role of veterinary medicine in public health is of very important.

The above problems are also taking place in Vietnam, which is recognized by experts as a global hotspot with a high risk of infectious pathogens, and foodborne diseases due to germs and drug residue. Interdisciplinary and international coordination are also considered as the keys to the success of any project or plan to control the problems related to veterinary public health and one health. The above challenges also pose a need for a well-trained human resource to be able to participate in disease prevention and forecast, and to ensure food safety and security, to ensure the health of the community, and to stop disease spreading among animals to humans. Therefore, a well-trained human resource having knowledge, skill, and attitudes toward veterinary public health, working in the international collaborative situation will be the to serve today’s social needs.

Who should apply for the program?

Those who have university degrees in Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Health Science, or Biology … are working or plan to work in state management agencies, business companies, NGOs … with related activities such as

– Food Safety Management

– Management of animal and zoonotic diseases in veterinary departments, health departments, or systems of livestock farms.

– Producing and trading animal products, animal feed… in private/ state sectors

– Projects related to agricultural development, food safety, environment, animal welfare managed by non-governmental organizations such as FAO, OIE, ILRI…

– Research on diseases that are transmitted between humans and animals

Study Program

The curriculum includes subjects that provide knowledge on the relationship between animal husbandry and human and community health, and ecosystems; specialized skills (such as big data management and analysis, one health competencies, disease modelling, risk assessment …) to work and perform research in the field to improve and optimize that relationship of animal- human – enviroment. Learners will gain confidence and proactive attitude in developing animal husbandry and veterinary services in a responsible way to the community and also make an impact on society in the long run.

Total duration of study is 18 months. There are 9 months for course work and 9 months for graduation project. The program is taught in English by highly qualified and experienced lecturers from the Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City who were trained from abroad. In addition, visiting lectures from famous foreign universities (University of Queensland – Australia; University of Gent – Belgium; University of Guelph – Canada…) and experts in the country and abroad will be teaching.

More information on the curriculum

More information on our lecturers

How to apply

• Detail will be annouced soon
• Application will be opened from April and deadline will be in June 2022
• Time for study will be in Oct 2022
• More information on application process here

Tuition fee

estimated to be USD 5000 for the whole program 

With many full scholarships

PROGRAM IN DETAIL

Master program in veterinary public health (MVPH) was built with the One Health orientation. The content of the program provides learners with in-depth knowledge of the specialization and appropriate scientific research methods to be able to independently perform research studies and develop scientific opinions and theories, to discover and test new knowledge. Those MVPH graduators have ability to work in research, teaching, consulting, and policy-making positions or other positions in the field of specialization; may continue to participate in a doctoral-level training program. This MVPH program also helps learners improve their professional knowledge and skills to apply in real-life professions related to disease management and human health, to promote and use effectively specialized knowledge in the performance of their specific jobs in actual conditions at their agency, organizations, or units.

The content of the program consists of 60 credits divided into 4 sections as follows:
– General knowledge section (5 credits): This is a mandatory part for master’s degree to help learners have methodology in research as well as system thinking at work. This section covers 2 subjects Philosophy (can be modified for international students) and Scientific Research Methodology in the field of veterinary medicine and public health.
– Core knowledge section (24 credits): This section includes compulsory subjects that provide foundational, core knowledge in the field of veterinary medicine and public health.
– Additional knowledge (at least 16 credits): This section includes elective subjects that provide additional knowledge depending on the needs and work of the learners as well as issues related to the graduate research topic.
– Graduation thesis (15 credits): The final thesis helps students to conduct a complete scientific research in the field of veterinary medicine and public health.

List of modules in the training program

General knowledge section (required) 5 credits
– Philosophy (3 credits)
– Research Methods in Community Veterinary Medicine (2 credits)

Core knowledge section (required) (24 credits)
– Biostatistics in public health research (3 credits)
– Food safety and food security (3 credits)
– Zoonotic diseases and emerging diseases (3 credits)
– Introduction to Veterinary Public Health in the One Health approach (2 credits)
– Advanced Veterinary Epidemiology (3 credits)
– Biorisk management (2 credits)
– Veterinary and public health related legal and management systems (2 credits)
– Data management and presentation (2 credits)
– Seminar I (2 credits)
– Seminar II (2 credits)

Additional knowledge (elective, minimum 16 credits) 16
– Toxicology in Veterinary public health (2 credits)
– Advanced Veterinary Immunology (2 credits)
– One Health in Practice (2 credits)
– Microbiology in Veterinary public health (2 credits)
– Topics on Wildlife and public health (2 credits)
– Topics on livestock animals and public health (2 credits)
– Topics on pets and public health (2 credits)
– Antibiotic resistance: hazards & solutions (2 credits)
– Ecology and public health (2 credits)
– Economics in animal disease management (2 credits)
– Other equivalent courses in the regular master (with committee’s approval)

Graduation thesis (required) (15 credits)

The requirements for the thesis are in the form of a scientific report with having scientific and practical contributions to the situation of veterinary public health. Students can work on topics in the following areas:
– Epidemiology of emerging and zoonotic diseases
– One health application in disease surveillance and management
– Analysis of food chains related to food safety
– Food poisoning diseases
– Antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance
– Livestock and environment
– Participatory epidemiology to explore local disease management
– Residuals in animal products
– Climate change with environment and wildlife health
– Ensure animal welfare
– Analysis of socio-economic issues relating to disease control
– Management of biological risks relating to animal husbandry operations and testing services
– Human health issues in the veterinary profession

Timeline

Timeline for MVPM in 2022

LECTURERS

• Internal lecturers
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Võ Thị Trà An – Specialized in Pharmacology and antibiotic resistance (The Netherlands)
  • Dr. Trương Đình Bảo – Specialized in Epidemiology (France)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đỗ Tiến Duy – Specialized in  patholgy and virology (Thailand, Korea)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Hải – Specialized in microbiology (France)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hồ Thị Kim Hoa – Specialized in Microbiology and Food safety (Australia, The Netherlands)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Thanh Hiền – Specialized in Epidemiology (USA, Canada)
  • Dr. Trần Thị Quỳnh Lan – Specialized in Toxicology (Canada)
  • Dr. Đường Chi Mai – Specialized in Immunology (Swedden, Australia)
  • Dr. Nguyễn Đình Quát Specialized in immunology and virology (Korea)
  • Assoc. prof. Dr. Nguyễn Tất Toàn – – Specialized in immunology and virology (Hàn Quốc)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. PGS. TS. Nguyễn Quang Thiệu – Specialized in nutrition (Swedden)
  • Assoc.Prof. Dr. Võ Tấn Đại – Specialized in Biomedical Science (The Netherlands, USA)
  • Dr.. Hoàng Thanh Hải – Specialized in Virology (USA)

• Invited lecturers
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Nguyễn Trọng Ngữ (Cần Thơ University) –  Specialized in Biotechnology (Germany)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Thị Dân (Vietnam veterinary association) – Specialized in genetics (USA)
  • Assoc. prof. Dr. Nguyễn Duy Phong (University of medicine and pharmacy HCMC) – Specialized in tropical infectious disease (Russia)
  • Dr. Dương Văn Nhiệm (Vietnam National
  • University of Agriculture) – Specialized in Vet Public Health (Swedden)
  • Prof. Paul Mills (University of Queensland – Úc) Specialized in pharmacology
  • Prof. Stanley Fenwick (Tufts university – USA) – Specialized in Vet Public Health
  • Prof. Sarah Gabriël (University of Gent – Belgium) – Specialized in zoonotic parasitology
  • Prof. Rowland Cobbold (University of Queensland – Australia) – Specialized in Vet Public Health
  • Prof. Jan Sargeant (University of  Guelph – Canada) – Specialized in Vet Public Health
  • Dr. Phạm Đức Phúc (VOHUN ) – Specialized in preventive medicine

ENROLLMENT PLAN

MVPH is recruited annually with the expected target of 10-15 students/year. Enrollment information will be announced on public media and the website of the graduate office and the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Nong Lam University HCMC in April every year. Then applications are received and selected in July every year. The official semester will be in September-October.

Applicants’ background

Vietnamese or other countries’ citizens
Have a university degree in appropriate fields: Tier 1 – Direct; Tier 2 – Indirect; Tier 3- Far to the scope of MVPH program:
– Tier 1 – Direct: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Husbandry, Animal Husbandry – Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Public Health, Doctor of Preventive Medicine.
– Tier 2 – Indirect: Aquatic Pathology, Biotechnology. Applicants with these disciplines need to have course supplement courses before official semester (announced by the admission committee after reviewing the applications)
– Tier 3- Far: Food Technology, Biology, Agricultural Technical Pedagogy, Agronomy… Applicants with these disciplines need to have course supplement courses before official semester (announced by the admission committee after reviewing the applications)

Conditions for admission and matriculation

– Students are eligible for enrollment as mentioned above.
– Students have working experience in the field of health and community health (at least two years), or graduated with good and good grades from the fields in the list mentioned above.
– Candidates need to have a letter of recommendation from a scientist who holds the title of Professor or Associate Professor or holds a doctoral degree in the same field of training. These recommenders need to have at least 6 months of work or professional activities with the candidate. The letter of recommendation must contain comments and assessments about the candidate’s capacity and qualities, specifically: a) Ethical qualities, especially professional ethics; b) Professional operation capacity; c) Working method; d) Research ability; d) Ability to work in groups; e) Strengths and weaknesses of the candidate; g) Prospects for professional development; h) Other comments and the level of support and recommendation of candidates for NCS.
Students must have a letter of recommendation from the head of the candidate’s work unit (if they have a job), or the school where the student just graduated recommends applying for training at the master’s level. For those who do not have a job, they need to have their identity confirmed by the locality where they live and that they are not currently violating the law.

– Meet the English proficiency as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training. Candidates should have one of the following diplomas and certificates:
▪ IELTS 5.5 or higher
▪ TOEFL BPT 500 points or more
▪ TOEFL CPT 173 points or more
▪ TOEFL iBT 61 points or more
▪ TOEIC 600 points or more
▪ Cambridge exam first FCE
▪ In English B2 Europe CEFR
▪ BEC Business Vantage
▪ BULATS 60 points or
▪ Bachelor’s degree in English.

Students will be interviewed in person or online by the admissions committee.