The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM) is a part of the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno. The mission of FVM is to implement university education and carry out scientific, research and other professional activities in the field of veterinary medicine. Graduates of the faculty work primarily as private veterinarians, in the state veterinary administration, research institutions, feed companies, etc.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is the successor of the College of Veterinary Medicine in Brno established by Act No. 76/1918 Coll. The first rector of the College of Veterinary Medicine in Brno who was elected in October 1919 at the constituent meeting of the faculty was Prof. MUDr. Edward Babák, professor of physiology at the Faculty of Medicine and the new College of Veterinary Medicine. Based on government regulation, the school began to use the name College of Veterinary Medicine in Brno in 1936. It existed under this name, with the exception of the closure of the Czech universities by the German Nazis, until 1951. In that year it lost its status as an independent university. The university veterinary education was between the years 1952 and 1968 carried out at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, which was a part of the Agricultural University in Brno. At the end of 1968, the National Assembly passed a law on the renewal of the College of Veterinary Medicine in Brno. From the following year until 1990, the university veterinary education was carried out at the independent College of Veterinary Medicine in Brno. Prof. MVDr. Evžen Novotný, who was a histologist, became the first rector of the University. In the middle of 1990, the Academic Senate of the College of Veterinary Medicine approved the establishment of two faculties: the Faculty of General Veterinary Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology. At the beginning of 1990, the internist Prof. MVDr. Jaroslav Konrád, DrSc., was elected rector by the newly established Academic Advisory Board of the University. Prof. Konrád was then re-elected for the period between 1991 and 1994. The current and, given the historical sequence, the twenty-fifth rector of the University is the surgeon Prof. MVDr. Alois Nečas, Ph.D., MBA. The obstetrician and gynaecologist Prof. MVDr. Eduard Kudláč, DrSc. was the first elected dean of the Faculty of General Veterinary Medicine. He held the position from 1990 to 1994. The dean´s position was carried out in a difficult, unprecedented period that required a great commitment.
In order to meet the international standards regarding veterinary medicine education, changes to the curriculum were initiated and the structure of the new faculty was shaped. At first, it was necessary to introduce a new curriculum. Its design was based on the EU Directive and was discussed thoroughly. Academic staff and also students actively participated in the discussion. Various groups of veterinary practitioners greatly contributed as well. Further discussion on the reorganization of the faculty took place.
Based on the outcomes of these discussions, the concept of faculty development was adopted in 1994 with a new organizational structure based on animal species. Considerations on changes to the organization of teaching, renovation of clinics and other workplaces and its subsequent integration into higher organizational units (sections) as well as postgraduate studies were included in the concept. A new teaching plan applicable to veterinary medicine was designed. The studies were extended from five to six years. The attention was paid to strengthening the clinical aspect of teaching, respecting the links to preclinical disciplines, the teaching of which had to meet these newly emerged needs. The aim was to strengthen the medical orientation of teaching. In 1991, the Faculty of General Veterinary Medicine changed its name and became the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM). The privatisation of veterinary services, which took place in 1991, was also reflected in the activities of the College of Veterinary Medicine. The veterinary hospital was shut down and, on the basis of the passed amendment to the Veterinary Care Act of 1991, the College was authorised to provide veterinary care in the field of animal husbandry. In this period, the existing organisational structure changed into newly established departments and clinics.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine began to develop as a separate organisational unit within the three-faculty university. Doc. MVDr. RNDr. Petr Hořín, CSc. who was a geneticist, was elected dean in 1994. The international evaluation was a fundamental event in the life of the faculty as well as the whole University. It was one of the first such events organized in Europe in 1995 by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) upon the request of the University. The evaluation was based on EU Directives No. 78/1027/EEC, No. 78/1026/EEC and EAEVE Standard Operating Procedures for conducting evaluations at veterinary universities. The final report issued a year later found that FVM met the requirements laid down by the directives. The report included recommendations for the further development of the faculty. Based on the results of the international evaluation, FVM was included in the prestigious list of positively evaluated veterinary faculties in Europe (List of Evaluated and Approved Institutions by EAEVE).
After the successful international evaluation, the task of reorganization of clinics in compliance with countries with advanced veterinary medicine had to be sought. First, it was necessary to prepare an investment plan for the renovation of the clinics. During its preparation, the arguments of a panel of experts from the international evaluation were utilized. The MEYS accepted the plan, but the whole project had to be divided into the renovation of the large animal clinic and the subsequent renovation of the small animal clinic. In 1996, doc. MVDr. RNDr. Petr Hořín, CSc. was re-elected dean of FVM. The following years were characterized by extensive construction projects. The Pavilion of Large Animal Clinics (Pavilion of Professor Klobouk), which included the Equine Clinic and the Ruminant Clinic, was built. In the same year, building No. 11 was renovated. Quarantine and isolation stable units for animals that belonged to the Department of Epizootology and Infectious Diseases, were built. The development of the medical orientation of the faculty required the implementation of other changes. Based on extensive discussions within the faculty, a fundamental change in its organizational structure was made in 1999. Contrary to the original plan, clinics were reorganized on the basis of animal species. Since the academic year 1999/2000, the following departments carried out the FVM activities: Department of Anatomy, Department of Histology and Embryology, Department of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Department of Pathological Morphology, Department of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Genetics, Department of Infectious Diseases and Epizootology, Department of Animal Reproduction, Ruminant Clinic, Swine Clinic, Equine Clinic, Small Animal Clinic, Poultry and Avian Clinic and Institute of Physical Education and Sports. A new system of postgraduate education was implemented. A system of scientific preparation ending with the defence of the candidate dissertation thesis followed by the award of the scientific degree of the Candidate of Sciences (CSc.) was terminated. Under the new three-year doctoral study programme (DSP) of Veterinary Medicine, the study was implemented in traditional fields of veterinary medicine. Fulfilment of the study requirements followed by defending the dissertation thesis and passing the state examination, graduates of the DSP were awarded the title of doctor (Ph.D.). Emphasis was placed on the implementation of research in new funding conditions, especially through grant agencies, and on publishing the results of research activities in quality-reviewed scientific journals. In addition to the funds obtained from the grant agencies, significant funds were obtained from the research projects of the MEYS in the years 1999-2004: The Etiology and Pathogenesis of Selected Infectious Diseases in Animals and The Influence of External and Internal Factors on Animal Health and Performance.
Regarding the qualification development of academic staff, it was significant that new study programmes for habilitation and professorship proceedings were accredited. In 2000, the internist Prof. MVDr. Miroslav Svoboda, CSc. was elected dean of FVM and was in the function until 2006. Further changes in the organization of the faculty and modifications of study plans continued, and in 2002 the faculty was divided into four sections: Section of Morphology and Physiology, Section of Pathobiology, Section of Small Animals Diseases and Section of Large Animals Diseases. The sections included departments or clinics. The Department of Reproduction was shut down and individual departments of reproduction were established in clinics instead, where the staff of the shut-down department was transferred. On the basis of the inter-faculty agreements, the teaching of zootechnics and animal husbandry was transferred from FVM to FVHE and on the contrary, the pharmacology teaching was transferred from FVHE to FVM. In 2001, block teaching in the 6th year of study as well as the evaluation of the teaching by students was started. In 2003, the master's study programme in Veterinary Medicine was accredited in English. At the faculty, 16 study fields of the doctoral study programme (DSP) were accredited in the Czech language and 5 study fields in the English language. The Czech Republic´s accession negotiations with the European Union also included an evaluation of the readiness of education and competence to pursue a specifically regulated profession under EU regulations and mutual recognition of qualifications. The EU expert team carrying out this evaluation stated that the FVM graduates, based on the changes made to its study programme in terms of recommendations resulting from the evaluation report, have been, since June 2002, fully qualified veterinarians with the right to start a clinical practice immediately after completion of their studies.
In compliance with the animal species-based concept of the faculty development, the Pavillion of Small Animals was renovated in 2003, in which the Small Animal Clinic, Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic and the Central Clinical Laboratory found their place. In 2003, the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic was created by merging the Clinic of Poultry and Bird Diseases with the Department of Exotic Animal Diseases and the Small Animal Clinic. In 2004, an independent Department of Pharmacology was established and also the Central Clinical Laboratory functioning as a whole-faculty workplace was established. The Department of Pharmacology was incorporated into the Section of Small Animals Diseases.
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) was implemented in University education in 2004. Also, the Veterinary Medicine study programme, taught in English and intended for self-paying students, was accredited in the same year. Teaching in English started in the academic year 2004/2005. In the same academic year, the Diploma Supplement was issued to graduates for the first time. In October 2004, the second international evaluation took place. The final report stated that the teaching met the requirements of the European legislation on veterinary education. Among others, the report included recommendations for the FVM study programme to put more emphasis on pets. Doc. MVDr. Leoš Pavlata, Ph.D. became the dean of FVM in 2006. Evaluation of the faculty by the Accreditation Commission of the MEYS took place in the same year. In 2007, European legislation came into force, showing that veterinary education at both FVM and FVHE is recognized by the EU Directive No. 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. In 2007, the credit system was implemented in the doctoral study programme. The former Obstetrics Clinic together with the premises of the Department of Genetics, special laboratories designed for work with risk pathogens were renovated for the purposes of teaching. As part of the renovation, the Infectious Pavilion with isolation stables was built. In 2007, the building which now houses the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, the Department of Physiology and also the slaughter premises for slaughter animals were built in the basement.
The development fund of the University supported one-year projects focused mainly on the innovation and development of laboratories and workplaces for practical teaching, including libraries and information technologies. In 2010, the surgeon Prof. MVDr. Alois Nečas, Ph.D., MBA, was elected the dean. Extensive spatial modernisation was carried out: the Professor Dražan Pavillion was completed, the technology of operating theatres at the Small Animal Clinic was built, the animal quarters in the building where the Department of Pharmacology is were built, the Centre for Diagnostics of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Horses and the indoor riding hall for horses were renovated. The Pavilion of Pathobiology – Centre for Diagnostics of Zoonoses was renovated. Fundamental organisational changes were made at the faculty as part of its preparation for international evaluation within EAEVE. In 2011, the Ruminant Clinic and Swine Clinic, the Small Animal Clinical Laboratory and the Large Animal Clinical Laboratory were established. When it comes to undergraduate veterinary education, a fundamental change to the curriculum was made. The change was based on the EU Directive, the Veterinary Care Act, the requirements of the EAEVE, the experience of other European veterinary schools and the traditions of the University. This curriculum has also been adapted to the requirements of the practice, where more and more emphasis was placed on pets, especially dogs, cats, exotic animals and horses. The teaching of clinical courses became more prominent and clinical courses were moved into the lower years of study. Preparatory courses supporting the quality of veterinary teaching were introduced (basics of veterinary care, clinical propaedeutics, etc.), and the teaching of Day One Skills was also emphasised. Other possibilities regarding professional preparation of students in clinics – e.g. in ICUs, night shifts, etc. Some of the basic courses were reduced in order to make more space for direct veterinary teaching.
The DSP study system, especially the structure of its disciplines, was newly modified to correspond to the logical arrangement and to follow the organizational structure of the faculty, which resulted in higher efficiency regarding the activities of DSP students. During this period, the English study program developed significantly. The number of students in ASP, which represented almost 30% of all students at the faculty, exceeded the usual numbers at other faculties in the Czech Republic, which enabled FVM to become an open bilingual institution, with a great reputation among other faculties in the Czech Republic thanks to such a high number of foreign students.
A successful re-accreditation of the master’s degree programmes and doctoral degree programmes took place. At that time, the credit system had been already implemented in all study years. The first ASP students graduated. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine successfully passed the international evaluation within the EAEVE in October 2013 without any deficit in category 1, which showed that the changes and results achieved were assessed very positively from the international perspective. The international reputation of the faculty was significantly strengthened in this period, as evidenced by the tenure of the dean of FVM Prof. MVDr. Alois Nečas, Ph.D., MBA, in the EAEVE Steering Committee, the assignment of Prof. Nečas as an auditor within the EAEVE, as well as his tenure in the Brussels Steering Committee for Postgraduate Education in Europe (VetCEE), the tenure of Prof. MVDr. RNDr. Petr Hořín, CSc. in the body controlling the quality of processes within the European Veterinary Education (CIQA), as well as his tenure as a member of the working group for the creation of SOPs, as well as the appointment of our teachers to carry out evaluations within EAEVE at other universities.
In that period, the dean Prof. MVDr. Alois Nečas, Ph.D., MBA was also elected president of the Central European Association of Veterinary Universities and faculties VetNEST (Veterinary Network of European Student and Staff Transfer). In the field of research, FVM participated in a joint project of universities and the Academy of Sciences in the Brno region funded by the EU, namely the Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) which focuses on research in the field of biomedical sciences and the International Clinical Research Center (ICRC) project in cooperation with St. Anne's University Hospital and the Mayo Clinic in the USA. By participating in these projects, unique research activities associated with high-quality publication outputs were achieved.
Research activities were developed, built upon participation in projects from a number of grant agencies, specific research of the University involving students, as well as contract research. Cooperation with human medicine departments was also developing in the form of providing animal experimental models and introducing new methods and materials in treating diseases. An example of such close cooperation with human medicine was the large interdisciplinary research project of the National Research Programme II entitled The use of newly synthesized biomaterials in combination with stem cells in the treatment of diseases that affect human tissues derived from mesoderm: cartilage, bone, ligaments, menisci, of which Prof. Nečas was the investigator-coordinator. Substantial funds were obtained for projects funded by the EU Structural Funds (in particular projects under the VK OP).
The faculty management supported the mobility of students and academic staff. The number of participants multiplied and the spectrum of admission to academic workplaces expanded, in particular by universities in the USA (Texas A&M University, Purdue University, University of Illinois and University of California). Veterinary clinical activities and veterinary pathological activities were further developed. Veterinary activities and cooperation with the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Czech Republic were further developed. Gradually, the number of employees with the “European Specialist” certificate was increasing.
FVM was actively involved in the pilot implementation of the national Q-Ram project, which included the description of the master’s and doctoral degree programmes using the learning outcomes methodology in accordance with the National Reference Framework for Tertiary Education of the MEYS.
Regarding student life at the university, the faculty developed and supported student activities related to sports and sports competitions, student events such as the May Day carnival, and hobby activities such as gamekeeping, cynology, horse riding and others. A motivational program for students was also developed, especially in the field of student scholarships for specific university research. Study environment, facilities, obtaining information from literature and electronic sources, access to computers, but also providing a cultural environment for spending time in between seminars and lectures.
A fundamental improvement, important to both students and academic staff of the University, was made by building a new Study and Information Centre (SIC) on the campus. Another important factor contributing to the level of student welfare was that central lockers were built to serve students participating in clinical lessons. A new tradition in the form of welcoming students of the 1st year was started, etc. A number of ceremonial and work-related events commemorated the 20th anniversary of the FVM establishment (scientific conferences were held, annual conferences of representatives of veterinary faculties and universities of Central Europe were held, etc.). Prof. MVDr. Alois Nečas, Ph.D., MBA was re-elected dean of FVM in 2014 and served his second term. The period from 2014 to 2018 was an extremely favourable period for FVM, in which the faculty achieved a return to the centre of European veterinary education, regained the reputation of an active and modern faculty in the Czech Republic and became a flagship of the university again. Partnerships with institutions that have an impact on veterinary education in Europe were further developed. In particular, EAEVE and VetNEST were involved. Short-term bilateral contracts were concluded to promote cooperation and mobility in Europe and America in the lifelong learning programme – Erasmus and CEEPUS. Student exchanges with US universities (Purdue University, University of Illinois, Texas A&M University) continued. Summer schools (Summer School of Exotic Medicine and Surgery and Summer School of Surgery) were implemented as part of the international educational programmes.
In addition to the research projects of the Internal Grant Agency (IGA VFU), projects of the Internal Education Agency (IVA VFU) and the Internal Mobility Agency (IMA VFU) were also included, which was greatly appreciated by students.
Since 2018, the surgeon doc. MVDr. Michal Crha, Ph.D. has been the dean. In connection with the amendment of the Higher Education Act and changes made to the methodology of science and research evaluation (Methodology 17+), the faculty worked intensively on the adaptation of internal regulations. In accordance with the standards for higher education, the methodological guidelines of the National Accreditation Office and the internal regulations of the University, modifications to the existing master’s degree programme in Veterinary Medicine in Czech and English were implemented. From the original fields of the doctoral degree programme, a new concept of DSP was created in connection with the fields of habilitation and professorship proceedings. The faculty focused on the introduction and implementation of the quality assurance system at VFU. The faculty actively participated in the preparation of the University. In 2019, the University successfully completed the demanding process of institutional accreditation, a completely new type of accreditation, and the National Accreditation Office granted VFU Brno institutional accreditation for a period of 10 years.
Following the granting of institutional accreditation, the faculty prepared applications for internal accreditation of each study programme at FVM, which were discussed by the Internal Evaluation Board of VFU Brno, which granted FVM accreditation for the master’s degree programme Veterinary Medicine (in Czech and English) and for 6 doctoral degree programmes. Educational activities were improved through the University's Internal Education Agency (IVA VFU).
Traditional research activities continued as part of grant agency projects, and specific university research – students of the master’s degree programme and doctoral degree programme, young scientists were involved in the IGA VFU projects and contractual research was performed. The faculty also prepared and worked on projects for the Internal Creative Agency (ITA VFU), which was newly established by the University in 2018.
The faculty has long been involved in the implementation of lifelong learning. It provides lecturing activities in the attestation study of veterinarians. Since 2001, it has provided teaching within the University of the Third Age (U3V) in the programme called the Man and Animal. Every year, the Department of the History of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute of the History of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy organize a graduation ceremony for university graduates after 50 years, the so-called golden graduation. In 2018, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of VFU Brno, the University held a Week of Celebrations organized by rector Prof. Nečas, when a number of social events took place. One of those events was a meeting of all graduates of the University on the premises of the Brno Exhibition Centre, which was an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the sense of mutual belonging with the alma mater.
Master's Degree Programme Currently, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine undertakes the undergraduate master’s degree Programme in Veterinary Medicine in Czech and English. Both degree programmes have been accredited by the faculty internal accreditation from the academic year 2020/2021. Doctoral Degree Programmes The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine undertakes studies in doctoral study programmes. Within the internal accreditation, the faculty has accredited the following doctoral study programmes: (1) Diseases of Dogs, Cats and Companion Animals, (2) Diseases of Horses, Ruminants, Swine and Poultry, (3) Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Immunology, (4) Pathology and Parasitology, (5) Morphology, Physiology and Pharmacology, (6) Genetics, Breeding and Animal Reproduction. Habilitation and professorship proceedings Following up on the accreditation of doctoral study programmes, the faculty applied to the National Accreditation Office for Higher Education in 2020 for the accreditation of habilitation and professorship proceedings. Currently, the faculty expects a decision in terms of accreditation for the fields of (1) Diseases of Dogs, Cats and Companion Animals, (2) Diseases of Horses, Ruminants, Swine and Poultry, (3) Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Immunology, (4) Pathology and Parasitology, (5) Morphology, Physiology and Pharmacology, (6) Genetics, Breeding and Animal Reproduction.
doc. MVDr. Michal Crha, Ph.D., dean of FVM
