They organised interesting practical workshops for students in the 1st, 3rd and 4th year of the agri-business technician programme:
The Face Says It All: Pain Assessment in Animals Using Facial Expressions, coordinated by Alenka Seliškar, PhD, Katerina Tomsič, PhD, and Barbara Lukanc, PhD, Veterinary Faculty
The researchers presented the topic to the students with a short lecture and posters. During the lecture, they encouraged discussion. The students responded well, participated actively and asked many questions.
Viral Diseases: Transmission Route Animal-Human-Animal and Preventing Transmission in the Case of African Swine Fever (ASF), coordinators: Irena Golinar Oven, PhD, Jan Plut, PhD, Veterinary Faculty
The workshop consisted of an introductory presentation and a practical demonstration of biosecurity measures when entering a pig farm with suspected ASF (preparation of ‘clean and unclean’ zones, preparation of all sampling equipment including the blood collection trough, donning and doffing of protective equipment, handling of collected samples, disinfection). Finally, the students tried to carry out a practical demonstration of biosafety measures themselves, which they succeeded in doing with the cooperation and support of the instructors.
The Use of Animals for Research Purposes Enables Advances in Medicine and Helps to Improve Animal Welfare, coordinator: Tatjana Pirman, PhD, Biotechnical Faculty
The workshop began with a lecture and presentation on the use of experimental/laboratory animals. During the lecture, Dr. Pirman encouraged students to participate by asking questions and sharing what they already knew about animal testing, and explained some terms to make the presentation more understandable. At the end of the presentation, a short questionnaire was used to check whether the students had understood the topic and they were invited to participate in the discussion.
The students actively participated in all three workshops, the teachers found the content useful and very well presented, and they expressed great interest in participating again next school year.
