Atlantic Veterinary College鈥檚 Dr. Alfonso Lopez named Canada鈥檚 2007 Innovator in International Education
Dr. Alfonso Lopez (DVM, MSc, PhD), a professor within the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI鈥檚 Pathology and Microbiology Department and co-ordinator of the College's international programs, was recently awarded the 2007 Innovation in International Education Award by the Canadian Bureau for International Education at a ceremony in Ottawa. The award recognizes outstanding achievement, of national and international magnitude, in the field of international education.
鈥淭his award acknowledges Dr. Lopez鈥檚 contribution to the internationalization of veterinary medicine, his work with developing countries, and his innovative contributions to international education throughout his 30-year career,鈥� says Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). 鈥淲e are extremely proud of Dr. Lopez and feel his recognition is very much deserved.鈥�
Since joining AVC in 1988, Lopez has successfully designed several international education initiatives including two academic mobility projects. The mandate of these projects was to promote and fund international experience and the cultural enrichment of Canadian students, and to facilitate Mexican and American students to experience academic life at AVC. The projects succeeded and became models for other mobility projects at other academic institutions. Also, Dr. Lopez implemented a major project financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Lopez鈥檚 contributions to international education also include the establishment of an International Veterinary Medicine Rotation that allows AVC students to receive credit for courses or professional experiences in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia. 鈥淚n a globalized society, it is essential to create opportunities for our students to travel and learn from other places and cultures,鈥� says Lopez.
Lopez is an advocate for sharing AVC course materials with the world via the Internet. 鈥淭here is nothing more professionally rewarding to me than knowing students, veterinarians, and specialists in remote areas of the world benefit from what we do for students at AVC,鈥� continues Lopez. 鈥淭he work done at AVC can advance the quality of education and diagnostic services in developing countries.鈥�
Funded by the four Atlantic Provinces, the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research, and professional services. The College has graduated more than 1,000 doctors of veterinary medicine, is known around the world for its research capabilities, and is Atlantic Canada鈥檚 only full-service veterinary referral hospital.
CBIE is a national, bilingual, not-for-profit, membership organization dedicated to the promotion of Canada鈥檚 international relations through international education.
Photo:Dr. Alfonso Lopez accepts the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) Excellence Award from CBIE Board Member Nancy Blain.
