Global Universities Join Forces to Tackle Animal Health and Antimicrobial Resistance

Ireland–US Alliance to Boost Academic Exchange in Veterinary and Agricultural Science

University College Dublin (UCD Dublin, Ireland), recognised as Ireland’s largest and most globally connected university, has formalised a strategic partnership in veterinary medicine with Kansas State University and Iowa State University—two distinguished U.S. land-grant institutions known for their leadership in agricultural and veterinary science. The agreement was signed at NovaUCD, the university’s centre for innovation and enterprise, during the One Health Ag Tech Summit hosted by Enterprise Ireland. The summit served as a platform to strengthen ties between researchers, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders from Ireland universities and the United States, with a shared focus on advancing innovation in veterinary and agricultural science. Senior representatives from all three international universities, including Professor Orla Feely (President of UCD Dublin), Dr Richard Linton (President of Kansas State University), and Dr Wendy Wintersteen (President of Iowa State University), were present to endorse the Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding.

This new initiative is designed to deepen collaboration between the institutions’ veterinary colleges through a range of activities, including faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and coordinated teaching programmes. It also reflects a broader commitment to global academic exchange and interdisciplinary learning. Coinciding with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, the summit featured discussions on precision farming, digital agriculture, and international responses to health challenges. Delegates visited UCD Lyons Farm in County Kildare—a 250-hectare facility that serves as a cornerstone of UCD Dublin’s agricultural science and veterinary science research and teaching. The farm’s integrated facilities for dairy, beef, sheep, equine, crop, and environmental studies underscore the university’s dedication to applied academic research in animal health and sustainable agriculture.

The partnership is expected to promote academic mobility across the three institutions, enabling undergraduate and postgraduate students to engage in study and research placements. Plans are also underway for joint symposia, international conferences, and continuing education programmes. Through this collaboration, the universities aim to share expertise in critical areas such as antimicrobial resistance, animal health, and agricultural innovation, issues that are increasingly central to the global veterinary agenda. In her remarks, UCD Dublin’s President acknowledged the collective efforts behind the agreement, describing it as a valuable opportunity to enrich the educational experience for students. Likewise, Professor Beth Davis, interim dean of Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, highlighted the importance of such partnerships in enabling students and researchers to make meaningful contributions both locally and internationally.

Dr Dan Grooms, Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, emphasised the need for global dialogue on antimicrobial resistance. He noted that the practical challenges of managing resistance differ across countries, reinforcing the importance of international collaboration in veterinary and environmental health. Building on existing ties between the three global universities, this partnership is set to expand opportunities for students, researchers, and industry stakeholders. By aligning efforts across leading college and university institutions in Ireland and the United States, the collaboration seeks to address shared challenges in veterinary medicine and agricultural science, while reinforcing the role of international universities in shaping the future of academic research and innovation. This agreement marks a forward-looking step in global veterinary education, uniting expertise across borders to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

Editor’s Note:

This international partnership between University College Dublin, Kansas State University, and Iowa State University marks a significant milestone in the global advancement of veterinary medicine and agricultural science. Formalised during the One Health Ag Tech Summit at NovaUCD, the agreement reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and cross-border collaboration. The summit brought together leading voices from Ireland and the United States to discuss pressing topics such as precision farming, digital agriculture, and global health challenges, subjects that are increasingly relevant as veterinary and environmental health intersect with climate resilience, food security, and antimicrobial resistance. These discussions underscored the urgent need for integrated approaches to animal and human health, and the role of academic institutions in shaping those solutions.

By aligning efforts across three globally respected universities, this partnership opens new pathways for faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and coordinated teaching programmes. It expands opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to engage in international study and placements, while enabling researchers to share expertise and co-develop solutions to complex global challenges. Looking ahead, the collaboration sets a precedent for how international universities can work together to address the evolving demands of veterinary science and environmental stewardship. It reinforces the value of academic mobility, interdisciplinary learning, and global dialogue in building resilient systems for health and agriculture.

Skoobuzz underscored that this partnership was not only a reflection of shared values but also a forward-looking investment in the future of veterinary education, environmental health, and the role of global universities in shaping the next generation of solutions.