Sumy National Agrarian University
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Anatomy, Normal and Pathophysiology
In April 2008, we purchased six computers, monitors, and several computer programs for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Sumy National Agrarian University. In the physiology and pathophysiology courses, more than 900 animals (820 frogs, 20 rats, 20 rabbits, 10 guinea pigs, 10 pigs, 10 calves, 10 cows, 2 horses, 2 sheep, and 2 dogs) are now saved from death each year.
Dr Corina Gericke from Doctors Against Animal Experiments and Prof Dr Maria Kambur, Head of the Department of Anatomy, Normal and Pathophysiology of Sumy National Agrarian University are signing the agreement.
Six new computers and monitors with a three-year warranty were purchased from a local computer store in Sumy. This allows for on-site technical support. Dimitrij Leporskij, our contact in Ukraine, installed the software. The computer programs were partially provided by InterNICHE, the International Network for Humane Education.
Head of Department Prof Dr Maria Kambur and lecturer Dr Alexander Kalashnik are testing the new equipment.
The animal experiments had already been completed for this semester. From now on, no animal experiments will be conducted in the physiology and pathophysiology courses. The textbook will be completely rewritten over the next few months, and the lecturers will have to familiarize themselves with the new equipment. The donated computers will be fully operational at the start of the new semester on September 1, 2008.
Dimitrij Leporskij showcased the humane education methods to the heads of eight other departments of Sumy University.
Control visit
Nick Jukes, Dimitrij Leporskij and Prof. Maria Kambur.
In September 2008, InterNICHE coordinator Nick Jukes and Dimitrij Leporskij visited Sumy University on behalf of Doctors Against Animal Experiments to check the implemantation of the animal-free teaching methods.
Instead of having to decapitate frogs, veterinary students now learn the body's physiological properties using modern computer methods.
Additional innovations were developed on the department's own initiative, e.g. a 'horse model' to practise injections and drawing blood
Prof Maria Kambur and lecturer Dr Alexander Kalashnik are more than satisfied with the project's progress. So are we.