Abstract
ECLAM continues to move forward several initiatives related to its 5-year strategic plan:
Support of educational programmes
ECLAM works in partnership with ESLAV to offer educational opportunities for laboratory animal veterinarians. The Summer School is offered annually in a modular format and is aimed primarily at those in their training years; the Winter School is intended as a continuing education offering for more experienced laboratory animal veterinarians. ECLAM Diplomates lead and participate in these training programmes, and ECLAM provides some financial support for residents, to defray the cost of registration and travel.
ECLAM also endorses educational offerings aimed at those studying for the middle tier of the speciality. ECLAM Diplomates are directors of these programmes. The University of Copenhagen offers an online educational programme, and the University of Barcelona offers a Master’s Degree in Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare.
A workshop entitled ‘Publishing Your Science: Toolkit and Guidelines’ was developed specifically to aid those for whom scientific writing is a new challenge. ECLAM strongly supports the concept that specialists in laboratory animal medicine should also be active in research and publishing in the field, but recognises the difficulty that residents may have in achieving this goal. Future seminars at international meetings will focus on other problem areas for residents, including clinical care of zebrafish and support for learning and teaching by non-Diplomates in alternative residency programmes.
ECLAM has been asked to join VetCEE, a joint initiative of several European veterinary educational organisations, as an Associate Member. This will position the College to help guide the development of educational programmes for veterinary students and post-graduates interested in becoming laboratory animal veterinarians, providing new career paths.
Global involvement
ECLAM is part of IACLAM, which aims to improve communication and representation of all Colleges of Laboratory Animal Medicine in Europe, the United States and Asia, seeking to promote the speciality and improve the welfare of laboratory animals everywhere. ECLAM is also a Member Organisation of AAALAC International, supporting the role of the laboratory animal veterinarian at accredited units across Europe. Another recent effort to expand our involvement on the international stage resulted in the 2017 election of an ECLAM Diplomate as the Councillor for International Discipline-Centred Organisations of the World Veterinary Association.
Improved communication
The Communications Work Group was established 3 years ago to improve our connections with colleagues across Europe. Diplomates are at our booths at the annual meeting to meet with anyone interested in ECLAM, and are planning to extend this initiative to other speciality organisation meetings in the coming years. An effort is underway by a team of Diplomates and residents to update the content and format of the ECLAM website. The goal is to make information more readily accessible, ‘mobile-friendly’, and to offer clear guidance to all those who visit our site. Watch for improvements in the coming months, and come talk to us at our booth at the Barcelona Congress on 15–16 October!