On April 11, 2025, Professor Olli Peltoniemi, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Helsinki, visited the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
The meeting focused on collaboration between the two institutions in the fields of veterinary education and scientific research. Key topics included preparations for upcoming regular accreditation of veterinary curricula – the process is scheduled in Estonia for October 2025 and in Finland one year later. Since many veterinary students studying in Tartu are from Finland, harmonising curriculum structures and organisational elements is important to ensure compliance with both countries' expectations.
A central topic of discussion was also cooperation in the field of One Health, where the University of Helsinki is one of VLI’s key strategic partners. The visit included talks about the recently submitted Horizon WIDERA 2025 Teaming project proposal One Health Centre of Bio-Resilience and Preparedness, focusing on biological threats, zoonoses, infectious diseases and preparedness for global crises. EMÜ’s international partners in the project include the University of Helsinki and the University of Bologna.
The visit highlighted the shared challenges faced by veterinary education and research institutions in both Estonia and Finland, shaped by the region’s geopolitical context and global development trends.
