Our students with scholarships from the prestigious European programme
Students from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and the University of Life Sciences in Wrocław were among the European Federation of Veterinary Practitioners and MSD Animal Health scholarship holders. Grants were awarded to students from 41 universities in 26 countries.
The scholarships will support future veterinarians in furthering their education and acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to treat animals. The grants are awarded to outstanding final-year veterinary students. The programme has been implemented since 2016 by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), representing professional organisations and institutions from 38 countries, and MSD Animal Health, a global manufacturer of innovative veterinary medicines and technological solutions to support animal health.
FVE selected this year’s beneficiaries from more than 200 applications. Among the criteria were the candidate’s commitment to animals, local communities and universities, and their professors’ recommendations. In our country, the scholarship recipients were Alicja Sienkiewicz, Natalia Stańczuk and Gregory Phelan from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and Natalia Brągiel and Sarah O’Keeffe from the Wrocław University of Life Sciences (two of the winners are Irish students studying in Poland). The total pool of their grants amounted to PLN 50,000.
“Investing in the education of veterinary students is investing in the future of our profession,” – says Sigfried Moder, President of the European Federation of Veterinary Practitioners. “We are pleased that, through the programme, we are enabling future veterinarians to participate in training and acquire the skills they need to treat animals, ensure food safety and protect people.”
“MSD Animal Health continues its valuable tradition of honouring outstanding students. They are the future of veterinary medicine,” says Rob Kelly, vice president of MSD Animal Health and head of its European structures. “Veterinarians are indispensable to animal health, at every stage: from researching innovative disease treatment and prevention to diagnosing and directly helping the animals in their care.”
The MSD Animal Health and FVE scholarship programme has covered over 360 European students, including nearly 30 from Polish universities – from Lublin, Olsztyn, Warsaw and Wrocław. In this year’s edition, scholarships were awarded to students from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.
About the European Federation of Veterinarians
The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) represents professional organisations from 38 European countries. It represents veterinarians working in 4 key areas of the profession: veterinary clinics, veterinary safety authorities, governmental organisations and doctors working in education, research and industry.
FVE aims to improve animal health, animal welfare, public health and environmental protection by promoting the veterinary profession. FVE, together with its members, strives to support veterinarians in fulfilling their professional responsibilities to the highest possible standard and to ensure that their knowledge is recognised and valued by the public. FVE plays an essential role in ensuring that veterinarians can do their job well – for the benefit of all.
About MSD Animal Health
At MSD, known in the US and Canada as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, we unite around our purpose: to use the latest science to save and improve lives worldwide. For more than a century, we have been at the forefront of research resulting in medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions. MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, is a unit focused on animal health. The company’s innovative portfolio includes technologies, products and solutions that support, enhance, and improve the health of livestock and companion animals.
Through its mission of The Science of Healthier Animals®, MSD Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, animal owners and government organisations a wide range of veterinary medicines, vaccines, health management solutions and services, and a broad suite of technologies, including identification, tracking and monitoring products.
MSD Animal Health has a rich history of innovation, commitment to research and support for animal health activities dating back more than 70 years. The company is committed to maintaining and improving the health, welfare and performance of animals and the people who care for them. Healthier animals play a vital role in a sustainable food supply, protecting people from animal-borne diseases; it also means longer and healthier lives for domestic pets. The company invests heavily in research, development, and a modern global supply chain. MSD Animal Health is present in over 50 countries, and its products are available in 150 markets.
Imię i nazwisko
Student at the Warsaw University of Life SciencesI am a proud member of the Irish student community in Warsaw. My desire to become a veterinarian stems from childhood experiences in my family home. I observed different facets of farming - milking cows or having a vet perform a caesarean section. What motivated me the most was the desire to continue the family tradition and to innovate in agriculture through scientific achievements. Now my main area of interest is equine medicine. In the future, I would like to focus on the issue of intestinal parasite resistance to anthelmintic drugs: this problem requires further research and education of animal owners. The scholarship is an important recognition of my efforts and an honour for me. It is also a tangible help that will enable me to focus on
ALICJA SIENKIEWICZ
Student at the Warsaw University of Life SciencesI have always been fascinated by the world of animals and medicine, so I decided to combine the two and turn my interest into a veterinary profession. It's a very interesting direction and I can't imagine myself in any other place.
In the future, I would like to work in small animal cardiology. I am interested in the complexity of this field, so I would like to focus on the challenges of diagnosing and treating heart disease to improve the quality of life of patients. Thanks to the scholarship, I will be able to expand my knowledge without worrying about finances. I have plans for overseas placements in veterinary clinics and the scholarship will help me with the costs associated with the trips.
NATALIA STAŃCZUK
Student at the Warsaw University of Life SciencesVeterinary medicine was an obvious choice for me. I have always loved animals - working with them brings me a lot of satisfaction, and at the same time just being with dogs or cats gives me a lot of inner peace and happiness.
My aim is to constantly develop and take on new challenges - anything that will be able to benefit the health of animals.
In the future, I intend to specialise in the areas of surgery and radiology. The scholarship will help me to further my academic and professional development and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge in both specialisations, where I see myself in the future as a veterinarian.