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Veterinary and Comparative Pathology Training Programs

Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE)
The University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent

Programs Offered
The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) evolved from the University of Kent Ecology Research Group. It was founded in 1989 as an applied research and postgraduate training school in conservation science. It was renamed the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology in honour of Gerald Durrell, author and wildlife conservationist. It is an academic department of the University of Kent and a UK-registered charity.

DICE offers training and professional programmes at the postgraduate level. These comprise MSc, MPhil, and PhD in ecology, conservation biology, environmental law and conservation, business in the environment, and biodiversity and sustainable resource development. It also provides continuing education; for example, diplomas in ecology, conservation and environmental management, raptor biology, endangered species management and conservation biology. Many of these programmes include modules on health and disease and opportunities for research projects relating to health, welfare, and pathology of wild animals. These latter aspects are taught by the Wildlife Health Unit, which was set up in 1990.

The Honorary Director of the Wildlife Health Unit, Professor J.E. Cooper administers this Unit and, in addition, to provide research and other links between DICE and other countries. The Wildlife Health Unit has close affiliations with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, other veterinary and medical schools in East Africa, Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, the Royal College of Surgeons in England (Hunterian and other museums), the Zoological Society of London, Edward Elkan Collection of Lower Vertebrate Pathology, Mascarene Collection and other reference collections and many other European, North American, East African, and Middle East veterinary, medical, and zoological institutions.

Facilities
DICE is a semi-independent institute of the University of Kent, Canterbury. A particular feature of DICE is its interdisciplinary nature; both its permanent staff and visiting teachers and its research workers come from a wide range of scientific and non-scientific disciplines. DICE was founded on the premise that, although there was global recognition of the inexorable pressures on ecological systems and the failure of conservation efforts to overcome these pressures effectively, understanding and knowledge of natural systems and their human inhabitants was insufficient to guarantee success. To tackle this, DICE concentrates on fundamental and pertinent research, training people world-wide, transferring technology, implementing conservation work on the ground and supporting its international partners and former students. The University of Kent is a modern university, although situated in a very ancient city, and has excellent facilities, such as laboratories and libraries.

Communities
DICE is located in Canterbury, England, one of the most historic cities in the United Kingdom, with a cathedral that dates back over one thousand years. There is a strong corporate life in both the university and the city and many close links between them.

Stipends and Maintenance
At present, no specific grants are available for studies in Wildlife Health. However, DICE and the University of Kent can provide assistance in applying for these. Likewise, there are no residencies or preceptorships as such. However, Wildlife Health is an integral part of the existing postgraduate courses (see above) and, in addition, some opportunities exist for short term attachments in Britain and overseas. More extensive programs, including courses and master classes in comparative pathology and wildlife diseases, are planned.

Staff:

John E. Cooper, DTVM, FRCPath, FIBiol, FRCVS; Honorary Director of Wildlife Health Unit
Margaret E. Cooper, LLB, FLS; Visiting Lecturer in Animal and Conservation Law

Various other teaching staff, including permanent members of DICE staff and visitors from within the UK and other countries.

Applications

Address inquiries to:

The Director
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE)
The University
Canterbury, Kent
CT2 7NJ, England
Phone: 44 1227 7475480
Fax: 44 1227 475481

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