History

On February 3, 1967, the Elazığ Governorship initiated the first formal request to establish a Veterinary Faculty in Elazığ, which was presented to the Rectorate of Ankara University. This proposal was subsequently reviewed by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine's Council of Professors at Ankara University. They decided to form a specialized commission to undertake research in Elazığ and make a determination on this matter. Based on the findings and report of this commission, the proposal for setting up a Veterinary Faculty in Elazığ was considered favorable. This was in line with the resolution passed by the Council of Professors of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ankara University, dated April 27, 1967, and assigned the number 82. This decision received the official endorsement and acceptance from the Senate of Ankara University in their meeting held on June 13, 1967. Following the approval from the Ministry of National Education, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Temizer was appointed as the Dean of the Elazığ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Satı Baran and Prof. Dr. Hayrettin Anteplioğlu were elected as senators of the faculty at the Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine's Council of Professors meeting on November 3, 1967. Subsequently, rigorous efforts were undertaken to finalize the necessary formalities; notably, the Personnel Law Draft, ratified on April 14, 1970, was published in the Official Gazette on April 22, 1970, under the number 13478. In that same year, the faculty completed its preparations for education and training. The Ankara University Elazığ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine officially opened its doors on November 7, 1970, with an inaugural ceremony attended by the then Prime Minister and several Ministers. Just five years later, the faculty celebrated its first graduating class and swiftly established its various departments, laboratories, and clinics. Initially operating with modest facilities, comprising three rooms and a classroom within the Basic Sciences Department of the Elazığ State Architecture and Engineering Academy, the faculty began its educational journey with a team of one professor, one associate professor, 11 teaching assistants, and an inaugural class of 65 students.

 

The construction of the current building for the Elazığ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine commenced in 1972 and was completed in 1978. Initially, the faculty operated under Ankara University, with educational and training activities continuing in this arrangement until 1975. However, following the establishment of Fırat University on April 11, 1975, by Law No. 1873, the faculty became a part of Fırat University, as stipulated in the second article of the same law. To date, the Elazığ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has graduated a total of 5200 veterinarians. These alumni have significantly contributed to the advancement of the country's livestock sector through their commendable and successful work in the field.

 

The Fırat University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is recognized for its collaborative and harmonious integration of preclinical and clinical sciences in diagnosis, treatment, and research activities. It has successfully institutionalized an Education and Research Hospital, leading the way in solution-oriented research programs. Emphasizing innovation, the faculty is dedicated to enhancing the quality of its education and services.

The faculty plays a crucial role in promoting animal health, animal welfare, and public health. It achieves this by educating students who are proactive and productive in veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences. Furthermore, the faculty is committed to generating new knowledge and discoveries, while continuously developing its diagnostic and clinical service capacities. This holistic approach ensures a substantial contribution to these vital fields.

The Fırat University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine underwent an institutional accreditation process conducted by a team of experts from the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE). This association enforces directives (78/1026 and 78/1027/EEC) that govern basic veterinary education in European Union countries. The evaluation took place from May 7-13, 2007, and following the visit, the faculty's accreditation was officially endorsed by the EAEVE experts on October 30, 2013. In 2018, the faculty sought full accreditation from EAEVE. The initial visit was conducted, and subsequent efforts were made to address and complete any lacking aspects of the faculty by 2021. This led to the faculty being recognized as the first in Turkey to achieve full accreditation from EAEVE, valid until 2025. This membership provides significant benefits including international recognition, quality assurance, continuous improvement, opportunities for research and collaboration, international exchange programs, and maintaining high educational standards. Additionally, Following an external evaluation by the Veterinary Medicine Education Institutions and Programs Evaluation and Accreditation Association (VEDEK), authorized by the Council of Higher Education, it also earned national program accreditation in 2021.