(Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, September 10, 2025) – Bahir Dar University’s senior leadership, together with Dr. Yeshwas Ferede, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), recently convened a strategic meeting with Brooke, Action for Working Horses and Donkeys Ethiopia. The session, held on September 9, 2025, served to review the successful implementation of the sustainability MoU and to chart ambitious new areas for collaboration.

The progress meeting highlighted the strong outcomes of the partnership. Dr. Yeshwas Ferede and university officials reviewed notable achievements presented by Dr. Musie H/Melekot, Brooke's focal person at SVM-BDU. These included the completion of the Animal Welfare and Health Center, the successful integration of clinical skills training into the veterinary curriculum, and the expansion of community outreach programs focusing on compassionate handling and pain management.

Further enriching the discussion, Dr. Gebeyehu Dillnessaw, Brooke's project lead, shared advanced equine welfare practices observed during his recent visit to Redwings Horse Sanctuary in the UK, highlighting potential applications within the Ethiopian context.

University leadership and Brooke representatives unanimously reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhancing veterinary education and equine welfare. The meeting demonstrated how this sustained, strategic partnership continues to create meaningful and lasting impact for communities and animals alike.
 

By: Dr. Dagmawi Yitbarek, SVM Website Administrator