Royal seal of approval for Lancashire’s only Vet School
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal met students and academics on a tour of the University of Lancashire’s School of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Lancashire’s School of Veterinary Medicine has been given the royal seal of approval by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
During her visit to the UK’s 11th and the county’s only Vet School, The Princess Royal toured the state-of-the-art veterinary teaching and clinical facilities and met students, and academics involved in training the next generation of veterinary surgeons.
Her Royal Highness visited clinical skills spaces, simulated operating theatres, an anatomy laboratory and the hydrotherapy rehabilitation suite, which included a meeting with one of the School’s canine teaching assistants.
The Princess Royal also observed an equine skills session and was shown three of the School’s innovative and interactive learning areas – the interactive digital Anatomage tables, haptic simulators and the 4D Digital Immersion Suite, which allows immersive interactive teaching and is equipped with interactive walls, sounds and odours.
In addition to demonstrating the commitment to high-quality education via practical, hands-on learning in immersive and simulated clinical environments, the visit highlighted the School’s mission to create confident, skilled and compassionate professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.
It was also an opportunity to explain how the School has a special focus on the emotional well-being and professional skills of students, supporting them to navigate complex challenges throughout a demanding but rewarding career caring for and treating animals.
The Princess Royal met a group of Lancashire dignitaries, including University of Lancashire Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire Amanda Parker and High Sheriff of Lancashire Jim Carter. She was escorted throughout the visit by Professor Heather Bacon OBE, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.
Professor Bacon, who accepted her insignia from Her Royal Highness at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2022, said: “We all know The Princess Royal is a great advocate for veterinary education and the important role that vets play in supporting animal health and welfare.
“During this visit she was impressed to see the variety of our fantastic cutting-edge facilities and teaching spaces and was very interested to hear how we are breaking down barriers to make education accessible to all and creating confident, skilled and compassionate veterinary professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.”
Ibrahim Zackaria, a second year Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVMS) student, spoke to The Princess Royal.
“I told her about our new building and amazing facilities and how it’s an exciting time to be here,” he said.
“We cover all kinds of animal health care as part of our degree and I said that maybe in the future I’ll look to specialise in orthopaedics but at the moment I’m open to working with small and larger animals.”
Jon Baldwin, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the University Board at the University of Lancashire, invited Her Royal Highness to unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion and Georgia Holt, Student President of the School of Veterinary Medicine, presented a posy of flowers to Her Royal Highness.
She added: “It was an honour to meet the Princess Royal. She was interested in why I chose the University of Lancashire and I explained how it is hands-on from day one and about its uniqueness in allowing students to take clinical placements with vets from the first year.
“To have the Princess Royal visit our Vet School is fantastic and very much puts us on the map.”
