Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Background Veterinary science remains a challenging and less appreciated subject in the Iranian higher education system and society. Objectives This survey aimed to assess the satisfaction and outlook of veterinary students at Urmia University, one of the major veterinary faculties in Iran....

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Main Authors: Mojtaba Hadian, Bahram Dalir‐Naghadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70081
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author Mojtaba Hadian
Bahram Dalir‐Naghadeh
author_facet Mojtaba Hadian
Bahram Dalir‐Naghadeh
author_sort Mojtaba Hadian
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Veterinary science remains a challenging and less appreciated subject in the Iranian higher education system and society. Objectives This survey aimed to assess the satisfaction and outlook of veterinary students at Urmia University, one of the major veterinary faculties in Iran. The survey was conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which also significantly impacted veterinary education. Methods A questionnaire was used to gather the opinions of 292 students. Results The results revealed that 50.2% of respondents were either completely unsatisfied or less satisfied with the quality of teaching. Poor clinical training, the curriculum and distance learning were identified as the primary reasons. In addition, 40.3% of students expressed a desire to change their major. Most students (82.6%) expressed a desire to continue their education after completing their undergraduate course. Regarding future employment, 45.8% of participants wanted to start their own business or practice, whereas 54.2% preferred employment opportunities. A significant 81.6% of participants said they would consider emigrating to pursue better career prospects. Conclusion The study highlighted various challenges in veterinary education in Iran, including dissatisfaction with the quality of teaching, an oversupply of trained veterinarians and limited career options. The COVID‐19 pandemic and distance learning further exacerbated these issues.
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spelling doaj-art-64a7f7436e384d2fbf6ab54174a700042025-08-20T02:40:41ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-01-01111n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70081Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 PandemicMojtaba Hadian0Bahram Dalir‐Naghadeh1Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Urmia University Urmia IranDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Urmia University Urmia IranABSTRACT Background Veterinary science remains a challenging and less appreciated subject in the Iranian higher education system and society. Objectives This survey aimed to assess the satisfaction and outlook of veterinary students at Urmia University, one of the major veterinary faculties in Iran. The survey was conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which also significantly impacted veterinary education. Methods A questionnaire was used to gather the opinions of 292 students. Results The results revealed that 50.2% of respondents were either completely unsatisfied or less satisfied with the quality of teaching. Poor clinical training, the curriculum and distance learning were identified as the primary reasons. In addition, 40.3% of students expressed a desire to change their major. Most students (82.6%) expressed a desire to continue their education after completing their undergraduate course. Regarding future employment, 45.8% of participants wanted to start their own business or practice, whereas 54.2% preferred employment opportunities. A significant 81.6% of participants said they would consider emigrating to pursue better career prospects. Conclusion The study highlighted various challenges in veterinary education in Iran, including dissatisfaction with the quality of teaching, an oversupply of trained veterinarians and limited career options. The COVID‐19 pandemic and distance learning further exacerbated these issues.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70081career preferencesCovid‐19Iranstudents' satisfactionveterinary education
spellingShingle Mojtaba Hadian
Bahram Dalir‐Naghadeh
Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Veterinary Medicine and Science
career preferences
Covid‐19
Iran
students' satisfaction
veterinary education
title Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
title_full Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
title_fullStr Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
title_short Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
title_sort challenges and outlook of veterinary education in iran a survey of veterinary students at urmia university during the covid 19 pandemic
topic career preferences
Covid‐19
Iran
students' satisfaction
veterinary education
url https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70081
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