I was honored to be invited by the board of the Journal to write this editorial for the 4th issue. This invitation will probably surprise the regular readers of the Journal, my colleagues who are general practitioner in companion animal medicine. Perhaps as a veterinarian who has worked exclusively in Bovine Medicine and Surgery for nearly 40 years, I may not be qualified to make use of this space, but I would like to thank the editorial board that made me the honour to express some views as the Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, in the School of Health Sciences at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Initially I would like to congratulate the colleagues who, contributed in the publication of the current scientific issue for their endless time and effort. Such initiatives not only represent hope and optimism but also an effort to resist vigorously against the misery and haze which unfortunately were brought by the economic crisis in our country and which to a greater or lesser extent have affected us all.
As academics we have an obligation to support and encourage new colleagues and also the students of our Department in their daily toil for the acquisition of knowledge during their studies.
Aiming at the best possible education, from this academic year we initiated the implementation of the new curriculum which adapted as realistically as possible the modern concepts of undergraduate education applicable to such a broad subject as ours. Along with concerted efforts of all faculty members of the Department, the lessons of all semesters started normally without losing a single hour of teaching, despite the enormous problems we face every day because of underfunding and understaffing amongst other related problems.
In an effort to retain our Department in the list of those that have been evaluated positively by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), with all that this means for our graduates, a reassessment has been scheduled to take place in February 2014. Being optimistic for a positive result, we endeavour for the best representation of the Department.
Believing that the exit from the crisis that our country experiences at present will start from the young people and especially those with degrees, I urge them to continue to strive with perseverance and patience to achieve their goals.
Best regards
Harilaos Karatzas
Professor of Bovine Surgery and Internal Medicine
School of Veterinary Medicine
Faculty of Health Science
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
