Regional WOAH Workshop on Harmonization of Veterinary Education and Integration of the “One Health” Concept Opens in Almaty

From October 14 to 16, 2025, Almaty is hosting the Regional Workshop of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) titled “Harmonization of Veterinary Education: Aligning with WOAH Day-1 Competencies and Integrating the One Health Concept into Veterinary Curricula.”

The event is organized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Veterinary Control and Supervision Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU).

The workshop brings together representatives of international and national institutions, including Amangali Berdalin, Vice Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Taskyn Kyzaybayev, Head of the Veterinary Control and Supervision Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and WOAH Delegate, Primkul Ibragimov, First Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rector of the KazNARU, Dr. B. Soumaré, Deputy Director General of WOAH, and Dr. M. Taitubayev, WOAH Representative for Central Asia.

From KazNARU, faculty members and students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zooengineering participated in the workshop. The university also presented student projects at a poster exhibition entitled “Rethinking Veterinary Education: Students’ Ideas for an Inclusive and Effective Veterinary Curriculum.”

Participants from across the region, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, and Russia, are attending the workshop. Among them are representatives of national veterinary services, university rectors and deans, as well as experts from WOAH and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).

Presentations were delivered by WOAH experts Dr. V. Sharandak, Dr. D. Morozov, and Dr. M. Taitubayev, together with representatives from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, who shared their experiences and best practices in reforming and modernizing veterinary education.

During the group sessions, participants discussed the interconnection between veterinary education programs, services, and human resource capacity, identifying regional gaps and opportunities for harmonizing educational standards with WOAH competencies.

Exchange of Experience and Joint Advancement

The workshop program includes in-depth discussions of international best practices, interactive group exercises focused on competency analysis, and a study visit to KazNARU.

Particular attention is given to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the role of universities in enhancing the qualifications and lifelong learning of veterinary professionals.

A major component of the workshop focuses on the One Health approach, which underscores the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health and promotes collaboration among experts in these fields to achieve sustainable health outcomes.

Speakers from WOAH and the World Health Organization (WHO), including Mr. Abzal Zhamagaliuly, WHO Representative in Kazakhstan, along with KazNARU experts, presented on the integration of One Health principles into veterinary education and training frameworks.

The workshop aims to strengthen the institutional and human resource capacities of veterinary universities across the region and to develop professionals capable of meeting international standards and expectations.

The primary objective of the event is to align veterinary curricula with WOAH Day-1 Competencies and to promote the integration of the interdisciplinary One Health framework, linking the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.

The first day concluded with dynamic group discussions during which participants identified regional priorities, outlined strategies for curriculum modernization, and explored opportunities for expanding international collaboration in veterinary education.

The workshop will continue until October 16, featuring hands-on sessions, expert panels, and knowledge-sharing discussions focused on the implementation of global educational initiatives promoted by WOAH.

KazNARU Press Service