The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) at the University of London, in the United Kingdom, had announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Dubai Equine Hospital, in the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement, signed by Stuart Reid, BVMS, PhD, DVM, Dipl. ECVPH, FRSE, MRCVS, principal of the RVC, and Dr. Ali Ridha Al Hashimi, administrative director of Dubai Equine Hospital, secures annual scholarships for Emirati students to study veterinary medicine at the RVC. It was developed to support the UAE’s vision for the delivery of veterinary care within the region

“Our aim in the next twenty years is that at least 60% of the UAE veterinary profession will be covered by Emirati nationals,” said Al Hashimi. “They will be specialized in various fields such as equine, camel, small animals, falcon, and different specializations in the field of pathology.”

David Church, BVSc, PhD, MACVSc, MRCVS, vice principal for learning and student experience at the RVC, added, “We are delighted The Royal Veterinary College has been chosen to provide the training programs for the recipients of the Dubai Equine Hospital’s Scholarship Program. We hope this will be the beginning of an increasing level of collaboration which will see ongoing involvement of The Royal Veterinary College in undergraduate and postgraduate education not only in Dubai, but the region generally.”

Added Boris Johnson, mayor of London, "I am thrilled to hear that the Dubai Equine Hospital has chosen The Royal Veterinary College in London as the place for Emirati scholars to study veterinary medicine."