The Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria has identified specific problem areas with regard to the recruitment and intake of students from the designated groups including candidates with rural/agricultural backgrounds. These problems are related to specific perceptions with regard to the profession and the profile of veterinarians in South Africa, a general lack of awareness by policy-makers and the public about the profession, and problems with regard to entry requirements. Ultimately, these issues have resulted in a disproportional reflection of the national demographics of the country within the Faculty.

For these reasons, the Faculty has explored alternative and additional (supplementary to existing) avenues aimed at effectively assisting it with the recruitment of historically disadvantaged students.

One of the latest initiatives was the launch of a Veterinary Recruitment Programme on 12 October 2004 as pilot project in the Western Cape to improve the intake of prospective students from these groups. After initially being assisted by an independent NGO in the Western Cape, the Faculty has decided to mainly utilise its own resources for the execution of this programme and to explore cooperation with other (better positioned) stakeholders. The common objective of this programme is to change the scope of veterinary professional training in the Faculty to respond proactively to development needs of South Africa and beyond into Africa, and to position the veterinary profession as a critical factor in the development process. This programme must ultimately result in a deliberate improvement in the reflection of the national demographics in the Faculty’s intake of students. It is a costly exercise and it cannot be done without the help of external stakeholders such as the State etc. Direct and indirect expenses only for 2004 amounted to about R215 000.

** However, over the last three years, the Faculty has engaged in a number of recruitment initiatives, projects and visits to try and rectify the situation.

3. The MECs of Education and/or Agriculture of the Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and Western Cape Provinces (2002, 2003, 2004). It is envisaged to meet the MECs of the Mpumalanga, North West, Eastern-Cape, Gauteng and Northern-Cape Provinces in 2005. A meeting is scheduled with the HOD of the Department of Agriculture in the Eastern Cape on 24 June 2005. Meetings were held with the following MECs since 2002:

1. The MEC for Education in the Eastern Cape, Mr PS Sizani (2002)
2. The MEC for Agriculture in the Eastern Cape, Mr Maxwell Mamase (2002)
3. The MEC for Education in the Western Cape, Adv Gaum (2002)
4. The MEC for Agriculture in the Limpopo Province, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi (2004)
5. The MEC for Agriculture and Land Administration in Mpumalanga, Ms Nomsa Mtsweni (2004)
6. The MEC for Agriculture in the Limpopo Province, Ms Dikeledi P Magadzi (2005)

4. Interaction with the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture of Gauteng Province on two occasions (2002, 2003)
5. Visits to and contact (since 2002) with the Departments of Education and/or Agriculture and the various Directorates of Veterinary Services in the Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West Provinces. Appointments for 2005 are thus far scheduled with the Directors of Veterinary Services from the Western Cape (13 April), Eastern Cape (24 June) and Limpopo (30 March).
6. Two visits to the Elsenburg Agricultural College to address possible prospective students from the disadvantaged groups (2002 and 2004)
7. Meetings with the management of AgriTrain, an NGO based in the Western Cape
8. Obtaining bursaries, specifically including historically disadvantaged groups, from the Departments of Agriculture from the National Government, and the North West, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape and Gauteng Provinces as well as from the Landbank, SETASA, EK Brown of Monaltrie Animal Sanctuary Trust and Pharmaceutical companies such as Hill’s Pet Nutrition
9. Visits to (since 2002), the University of Fort Hare (meetings with the Deans of the Faculties of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and of Science and Technology; the University of Port Elizabeth (Faculty of Science); Rhodes (Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science, UNITRA (Dean of the Faculty of Science), and either the Departments of Science or Agriculture of the following universities: University of the North, Venda, WITS, RAU (UJ), PUK (Northwest), Free State, Natal, Durban Westville, Zululand, Western Cape and Stellenbosch.
10. Other meetings and forums since 2002 that were utilised to sensitise and inform decision makers and other role-players with regard to the Veterinary Science recruitment campaign, include:

1. The Congress of the South African Ostrich Business Chamber in Oudtshoorn (2002) at which the Dean, Prof Nick Kriek addressed the delegates.
2. The Annual General meetings of the Red Meat Producers Organization of the Western Cape and North West Provinces (2004 and 2003 respectively) at which the Dean, Prof Nick Kriek, and the Vice-Principal, Prof Andy Mogotlane (key-note speaker) were also given the opportunity to address the delegates.
3. Meetings with representatives of Agri South Africa, Agri Letaba (2003/4), Agri Western Cape (Mr Carl Opperman, CEO) in 2002, Agri Eastern Cape (Mr Rory O’Moore, GM and the President, Mr Kerneels Pietersen, October 2002) and Farmers Unions in the Free State, North West Province and the Eastern Cape Provinces (2003/4)
4. Meeting with the General Manager of the SA Wool Growers Association, Dr Arno Moore (October 2002).
5. Meeting with representatives of the Intergovernmental Technical Committee on Agriculture (ITCA) in 2003

11. The Dean of the Faculty, Prof Nick Kriek, Vice-Principal, Prof Andy Mogotlane, and the Head of the Department of Production Animal Studies, Prof Gert Rautenbach, from 3 – 5 August 2004 attended the Sustainable Livestock Development Summit in the Limpopo Province at the invitation of the Province’s Department of Agriculture. Prof Rautenbach addressed the summit during the proceedings. In his speech during the launching of the Livestock Trust, the previous MEC for Agriculture, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi specifically referred to the presence of the delegation from the University of Pretoria and the role the Faculty and the University is playing in the Province with regard to Agriculture. Dr Motsoaledi also emphasised the role of veterinary science in the agricultural sector and promised the identification and provision of prospective students that will fit the profile and entry requirements of the Faculty of Veterinary Science.
12. Meetings with representatives of various branches of the South African Veterinary Association: in the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Southern Cape Provinces
13. Visits to Mozambique and Malawi aiming at cooperation with other universities and institutions on postgraduate level and research

12. To coincide with the publishing of the Grade 12 examination results in December 2004, the Division sponsored an advertisement with a message from the Faculty, published by Independent Newspapers (and more specifically the Pretoria News and The Star) as part of the school calendar for 2005 and Grade 12 results supplement.
13. An interview between the Dean of the Faculty, Prof Nick Kriek and the editor of VetsLife, Ms Mandi Smallhorne, was published in the December issue of the magazine. Among other things, the interview focused on the future of veterinary science and problems related to the field in South Africa. A research interview with the Head of the Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Prof Koos Coetzer was also published, while a student-related interview with the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, Prof Morkel Terblanche was arranged and has taken place on 14 February 2005.
14. To test the awareness level of prospective students (test the market), a general questionnaire about the Faculty, its courses, the respective roles of a veterinarian and a veterinary nurse etc. was compiled to be included in the SA Study Guides of Proverto Educational Publishers. The Guides for Grade 11 and 12 learners are sent free of charge to schools across the country, covering Mathematics, Science, Biology, Business Economics, Accounting and English. The results will effectively be utilised to analyse and adjust recruitment actions and awareness campaigns.
15. The questionnaire was accompanied by an advertisement in the 2005 SA Study Guide series about the Faculty, its courses and entry requirements. An advertisement was also placed in the 2005 edition of ‘Careers in Health Sciences’ (Beyond 2000 Publishers).
16. Information about the Faculty’s courses, its involvement in the commercial and non-commercial agricultural sectors and community service will be published in the April edition of ‘Nufarmer & African Entrepreneur’, a rural/agricultural newspaper specifically aimed at historically disadvantaged groups. Negotiations are taking place about the placement of an advertorial in the newspapers’ annual Agricultural supplement.
17. Contact was recently established with the editor of ‘Life Comnews’, Ms Amanda Gxumisa, to negotiate the supply of relevant information to designated groups via the newspaper about the Faculty, its courses etc. Life Comnews is a Tshwane Youth publication specially aimed at young people who want to make a difference in their communities. She responded positively to the request. The relevant information is being prepared.
18. A corporate DVD of the Faculty was developed in 2004 and the development of a Recruitment Video/DVD, aimed at the historically disadvantaged groups is envisaged for 2005.
19. Various features and articles about the Faculty, the Veterinary Academic Hospital and the activities of the students appeared in the Pretoria News, The Star, Beeld, Citizen and the Record. This include articles on the Faculty’s "Books for Africa" project, the signing of a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases in Malawi, projects of the Onderstepoort Community Development Club, and the launch of the Faculty’s new recruitment drive with regard to designated groups.
20. Corporate visits to the Faculty of Veterinary Science

Opinion makers and other important role-players have the ability to increase knowledge and understanding, to change personal and public opinion, attitudes and perceptions, to stimulate communication and debate, and to change behavioural intention. In this context, visits to the Faculty by international and local visitors are perceived to be contributing to this process with regard to creating awareness about the Faculty, its courses, facilities, training and services. During 2004 the Faculty hosted various international and local visitors. These included:

1. The Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Sir John Daniel in February 2004
2. A delegation from the CA Exchange Program (Communicating for Agriculture) in the USA in March 2004
3. A delegation from People To People Ambassador Programs (USA), including the President of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), Dr Lorraine Jarboe in October 2004
4. A delegation from Global Vets International (second year veterinary students from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saakatoon), Canada, in July 2004
5. The Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Queensland in Australia, Dr Neil McMeniman in July 2004
6. Dr Hellen van der Maazen, Operations Officer in the Office for International Cooperation at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Utrecth in October 2004
7. The CEO of the Royal Canin Group in France, Mr Henri Lagarde and the MD of Royal Canin South Africa, Mr Francois Gergaud in May 2004
8. The CEO of the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), Prof Willem van Riet and Mr Jacques Dommisse, Corporate Manager of the PPF (January 2005).
9. A Press Club Function of the National Press Club of Pretoria was hosted by the Faculty in June 2004 where the Dean of the Faculty, Prof Kriek gave an excellent presentation on the Faculty, its courses, the scope of the profession as well as problems with regard to recruitment and perceptions about veterinary science.

• From the 2-4 March 2004 a delegate from the faculty attended a career exhibition in Rondebosch in Cape Town. During this exhibition 101 High Schools visited within the three dates of exhibition.

• A career exhibition was attended from 15-16 March at Riverpark Centre in East London where 66 Schools visited (Inkanyezi)
• An Inkanyezi Exhibition at the Pretoria Show grounds on 21-23 April 2004 was attended by the M & C Division
• Awareness and recruitment interviews, specifically aimed at designated groups were also conducted with Bush and UCT community radio stations in Cape Town
• School career exhibition evening at St Mary’s in Hatfield on the 26 March 2004.
• From 5 - 6 May 2004 SABC Education hosted a career exhibition in Polokwane where the Faculty was also represented
• On 16 June 2004 Eskom hosted a career exhibition at Voortrekkerhoogte. Once again the Faculty participated in the event.
• On 7 July 2004 the National Department of Agriculture invited a delegate from the Faculty to a workshop in Durban aimed at advising 60 selected learners from the historically disadvantaged groups about career choices. The Division’s Recruitment Officer/PRO, Mr Vukile Siyotula attended the workshop.
• On 17 - 20 August 2004 the Faculty was again involved in another career exhibition hosted by SABC Education Division in Nelspruit.
• From 23 – 25 August 2004 the Division’s Recruiting Officer/PRO, Mr Vukile Siyotula, attended a Sasol Techno X career exhibition in Sasolburg. About 60 000 learners attended the event.
• On 1 September 2004 Mr Siyotula visited schools in Paarl with a view to identify historically disadvantaged learners as potential candidates
• There was also a career exhibition at the Ladium Secondary School in Pretoria where the Faculty promoted its courses. It was the only Faculty of the University of Pretoria to attend.
• In addition to all these events, students are given an opportunity to come to the faculty so that they can have a practical insight in what is happening in the field of veterinary science. About 190 prospective students visited the Faculty in 2004 alone
• The Faculty has made information available about financial assistance to prospective students through its prospective student colour brochure as well as through its Department of Academic Administration and via e-mail. An electronic version of the brochure was sent to various provinces and was also placed on the website of the Faculty. This information was also made available at all the listed recruitment events.
• Day-to-day prospective student guidance regarding alternative ways for admission for those who do not qualify directly and information about other activities at the University.
• A visit of UP with Science learners to the Faculty was organised and facilitated. It included a tour and the dissemination of information to the learners.
• The Division was also represented at the University of Pretoria’s Welcoming Day for students on 24 January 2005. Specific attention was given to an investigation of those candidates who were in the Faculty’s database and who qualified for BVSc or the BSc Extended Programme and to determine the number of candidates who did not apply or did not qualify as a result of their Grade 12 results.
• The Division/Faculty was represented by its Recruiting Officer/PRO, Mr Vukile Siyotula at the SciTech festival in Pretoria from 28 February to 6 March 2005. About 20 000 learners participated in the event during the seven days.
• The Division was also represented at the Sci-Fest in Grahamstown from 16 March to 22 March. The Sci-Fest is specifically aimed at Science and Mathematics students and was attended by about 20 000 pupils. A Faculty advertisement was placed in the official programme of the event.
• During the mentioned Sci-Fest, a recruitment and information interview was conducted with Mr Siyotula on RMR (Rhodes Music Radio), the official Rhodes University radio station.

A rough estimate indicates that the Division has spent about R30 912 with regard to the attendance of the mentioned marketing and recruitment events and initiatives in 2004.

In 2004/5 some of the efforts and initiatives contained in this document have resulted in the admittance of 13 candidates from the Limpopo Province. After discussions with the MEC of Agriculture in Limpopo in 2004, 24 candidates were identified in the Province. Of the 24, eight candidates did not apply while three were not admitted **. In addition, recruitment by the M & C Division resulted in the provisional admission of one candidate to BSc (Veterinary Biology) and two possible candidates for the BSc Extended Programme. It also resulted in the admittance of two candidates to DipVetNurs. This is out of sixty candidates who showed interest by returning their data forms and have been added to the database. A further ten possible candidates (AgriTrain) who have been earmarked for the BSc (Vet Biol)’s extended programme, either did not qualify or did not apply. This brings the number to a total of at least 94 students specifically showing interest in veterinary science and the diploma in veterinary nursing as a result of some of the initiatives mentioned in this document.

However, the numbers mentioned above are not necessarily a final and true reflection of the number of candidates who could have applied as a result of some of these efforts but have used different avenues in applying without being specifically assisted by the Faculty’s M & C Division or being in its database.

As mentioned in the introduction to this document, specific problems (including misperceptions - even at high-profiled levels of government - about the career and the essential role of veterinarians with regard to food safety, prevention of the spreading of diseases from animals to people, research, wildlife conservation and production animals) are a cause for concern and pose a huge challenge to recruitment activities. It is clear though, that the situation is greatly aggravated by problems with regard to subject choices (i.e. the preference of SG to HG Physical Science and Mathematics) at school level, which do not meet our entry requirements, the general pass-rate and a decision, at a late stage, not to apply. Through a collaborative effort, the Dean, Vice-Principal and the Division are continuously attempting to address these problems.

** Results of UP Admission Test, entry requirements