F E AT U R E
Dr. Sameeh M. Abu Tarbush, the Chair of
Veterinary Medicine Department, College
of Food and Agriculture at UAEU, talks to
Petigree Magazine about the Veterinary
Medicine degree offered at the university.
By Mohammed Ali Sadi
BECOMING A QUALIFIED
VET IN THE UAE: MORE
THAN JUST POSSIBLE
In a country, which is home
to numerous animals, where
animals vary from endangered
in the wild to domestic at
home, it does not take a genius
to figure out that vet clinics are
found in decent numbers.
Animals, in fact, are directly
related to some aspects of
the very culture that the UAE
follows like falconry, horse-
riding and camel-riding. It is
relevant to say here that this
culture and its closeness to
certain animals imply that
focus on animal care has been
around for decades.
Following the importance
of animal resources to the
country, the vets here are also
qualified to provide quality
medical care which is one of
the reasons why credentials
and certificates are required
by the authorities to issue a
vet license. The animal health
industry in UAE is witnessing a
gradual and steady growth,
with Abu Dhabi Food Control
08
Authority (ADFCA) approving
projects to open various vet
labs and clinics in the Emirate
since October 2013. These will
further testify the growth of this
field in the country.
Guide to be a licensed vet
To become a licensed vet in
UAE, there are certain steps
a qualified professional in the
field needs to follow. As per the
guidelines by the UAE’s Ministry
of Environment and Water, a
form has to be filled by every
individual willing to be able to
practice which also requires
a fee depending on the type
of practitioner the individual
wants to be, from Veterinary
specialist to an assistant. Once
that is done, all you need to
do is to wait for your electronic
license to be issued. This
issuing service is valid for any
professional in the field aiming
to work in designated places
ranging from a farm to clinics
and pet stores.
Apart from filling out the form,
there are some documents
that individuals need to
provide. A copy of education
certificate from the Ministry of
Higher Education and Scientific
Research, a copy of passport
for proof of a valid residence
visa, photographs and a copy
of qualification and experience
certificate that has to be
attested by the Embassy of the
United Arab Emirates.
According to the UAE Ministry
of Environment and Water, the
specified qualification criterion
is as follows: