Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister of New Zealand

Hon Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education

9 August 2005 Media Statement

Tuition subsidies for veterinary education to increase

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced a significant increase in government tuition subsidies for years 3, 4, and 5 of undergraduate veterinary science.

The increase puts them on the same basis as years 4, 5 and 6 of undergraduate medicine.

"I am pleased to announce a funding increase for the provision of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science, so that the per EFTS (Equivalent Full Time Student) subsidy for years 3, 4 and 5 will increase next year by $5,684, bringing the total per EFTS funding to $24,582," Helen Clark said during a visit to Massey University today.

"The increase means that government tuition subsidies for the Veterinary Science degree will better reflect the high costs of clinical training in the mid to latter part of the degree.

"Veterinary science is an area of high strategic relevance in tertiary education and it is of key importance to supporting our primary industries.

"The funding increase reflects the importance this government places on having qualified veterinary practitioners," Helen Clark said.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said the change means that Massey University will receive additional funding of approximately $1.3 million per year, assuming that approximately two thirds of its veterinary undergraduates enrolled are in years 3, 4, and 5.

"As a result Massey University will be much better resourced to continue to provide excellent training and education in this area."

The number of equivalent full-time students who can be enrolled in a Veterinary Science degree will continue to be restricted to 340.

ENDS

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