The University of Calgary veterinary medicine school does not expect to open until 2008.
The new school had planned to start accepting students in fall 2007 but it needs more time to recruit professors and build facilities, said dean Alastair Cribb in a News release
news.
The college approval body, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, recommended moving to a four year rather than a three year curriculum after reviewing the proposal earlier this year.
“We felt a four year program would be better for the students,” said Cribb.
Read Also
Dry summer conditions can lead to poor water quality for livestock
Drought conditions in the Prairies has led to an decrease in water quality, and producers are being advised to closely monitor water quality for their animals.
So far 24 full-time teachers have been hired. About 200 more applicants need to be interviewed to fill 60 positions.
About 150 inquiries have been received from potential students.
The school faces the same problem as the rest of the province, in that labour shortages and high construction costs have delayed the university’s ability to start building. More money is also needed and final plans were submitted to the Alberta government in August outlining infrastructure and staffing needs as well as costs.
Constructing a clinical skills building and renovating the health sciences centre will cost about $80 million. So far the province has contributed $16 million.
