Date:15/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/15/stories/2008071550340200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Food, culture, animal care…memories galore

Staff Reporter

Students from Michigan State University visit TANUVAS as part of an exchange programme

Students went on an educational tour for a fortnight
TANUVAS students to visit university next month

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

Fruitful visit: Students from Michigan State University interacting with TANUVAS vice-chancellor P. Thangaraju in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: From the warm Indian hospitality, care for animals, to spicy food and rich culture, students from Michigan State University, U.S., who were at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animals Sciences University as part of an exchange programme, have many memories and stories to carry back home.

“I saw a horse, which was ill, getting utmost attention from its owner. The animals get medical treatment and care even if they are old and less useful to the owners. But, back in the U.S., animals are treated according to their use,” said Thersa Kerr, one of the 10 visiting students of Diploma in Veterinary Medicine.

They were here for a six-week exchange programme as part of a memorandum of understanding between their university and TANUVAS. Besides spending four weeks at various medical units in TANUVAS and learning about tropical diseases that affected wild and pet animals, the students also went on an educational tour for a fortnight.

“During a visit to Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary, I learnt a lot about the medical treatment given to the elephants, whom I loved watching,” according to Amanda Audo, who was excited about the group’s trip to Nilgiris district.

The students also cherished their experience of learning yoga.

Though A. Divya and Priyanka Thakkar are of Indian origin, the programme provided them a new perspective about the country and care of animals.

TANUVAS students are scheduled to visit the university in the U.S. next month to learn about modern treatment facilities, said its vice-chancellor P. Thangaraju. Highlighting the benefits of the exchange programme, he said visiting students got to know about the treatment for tropical animal diseases such as viral and parasitic diseases. Over the past five years, TANUVAS has trained about 55 U.S. students.

The University in Vepery is also set to receive students from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and Nebraska University in U.S. as part of another exchange programme, he said.

Besides discussions for a tripartite agreement with universities in Uganda and Michigan, TANUVAS is also awaiting accreditation from America Veterinary Medical Association, he added.