BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DEPUTY Prime Minister the Hon. Shawn Richards had underscored the Team Unity Government’s key partnership with the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine at the Opening Ceremony of the new Research and Pathology Building and the dedication of the Dr. Donald F. Smith Learning Center on Tuesday (July 10).
Richards, in congratulating the RUSVM on behalf of the Team Unity government, Richards noted that it was both and honour and a privilege to witness the expansion of the school’s footprint in the twin island federation.
“I am confident that the official opening of this USD $10.5 million-dollar Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) Research and Pathology building will further enhance Ross University’s academic reputation, as well as its already high standards.
“Significantly, the new building represents the next phase of RUSVM’s important research into the study, diagnosis and control of veterinary diseases,” Richards stated.
He informed that the new building features 13,000 square feet of research space and comprises a pathology viewing area to enhance student learning. He added that the facility would also have animal cadavers that would be given post-mortem examinations to determine cause of death.
He noted that this new feature would further strengthen the food and agriculture sector in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“In particular, the research and pathology building will revitalize animal agricultural research by strengthening best practices in monitoring and protecting our herd health, our public health system, and our food supply – from the farm to the dinner table.
“My Government is therefore excited about today’s opening because of the critical role that animal science research plays in food security,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Richards further said that the new facility will surely build on the collaboration that RUSVM, the government and local stakeholders have fostered for 35 years by helping to protect the economic vitality of the local food industry and ensuring the resilient, secure and sustainable local production of food.
He enlightened that RUSVM and the Team Unity Government through the Department of Agriculture already have a longstanding relationship in respect to pathology services.
He added: “RUSVM performs autopsies on livestock animals that die at the Basseterre abattoir, and the university provides this service free of charge. This partnership allows students to obtain the educational exposure in a manner that is socially acceptable, while at the same time allowing the Agriculture Department to make informed, science-based decisions relating to animal health and food safety.
“Our strong history of collaborating with Ross University in the control, prevention, surveillance and treatment of disease is further cemented with this new research phase, not only in the area of food security.”
