SWOT Analysis of Veterinary and Animal Science Education in India: Implications for Policy and Future Directions

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and rank the SWOT issues of India's veterinary and animal science education.

Design: The data were collected at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) from 168 post-graduate students. The two surveys generated 72% (N=121) and 68% (N=114) response rates, respectively. In the first stage, the vital SWOT issues were listed by respondents and in the second stage, they ranked the top eight issues on a Likert scale.

Findings: Uniform curriculum; merit-based admissions; and huge demand and employment prospects were perceived as major strengths. Gaps in curriculum revision and inadequate faculty, colleges and hands-on experience were perceived as key weaknesses. Regular curriculum revisions; novel instructional methods; and single admission tests were important opportunities perceived. Out-dated education model; urban biased admissions; and regional barriers were the major threats perceived.

Practical implication: The SWOT issues identified are similar to those faced by veterinary education programmes in many countries with minor variations.

Originality/value: The findings are of interest for veterinary faculties in developing and under-developed countries to harmonize their veterinary education systems on par with global norms. The related implications for policy and future directions are discussed.

Keywords:

• Veterinary education
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Threats
• SWOT
• India

Acknowledgements

This study was part of research work carried out at Tuskegee University, USA under the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Programme. Authors are grateful to USDA, Washington and ICAR, New Delhi for funding support. Authors are obliged to all the respondents of the study.

Notes

1. The Veterinary Council of India (VCI) is a statutory apex body constituted by the Parliament of India through the Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984. The VCI regulates veterinary education and practice in India and has introduced minimum standards and a core curriculum for all veterinary colleges in 1994.

2. VAN and VPB are the codes allotted to the departments Veterinary Anatomy and Veterinary Physiology & Biochemistry