IVSA HISTORY
The IVSA (International Veterinary Students’ Association) is the World Veterinary Students’ Organization. It was founded in 1953 in Gleiberg, West Germany and today represents over 38,000 Veterinary students in over 70 countries worldwide.It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization and is the largest veterinary student organization in the world. It aims to improve the standard of veterinary education internationally through the exchange of ideas, knowledge and culture.
Through its annual international events –IVSA CONGRESS, IVSA SYMPOSIUM-, exchanges between its members, its contribution to the organization of scientific activities at national and local level, tries to achieve its main goal, the improving the overall level of veterinary education worldwide, benefiting animals and people around the world.
Historical Fun fact
When and where was IVSA founded?
There are many possible stories about when and where the IVSA was founded, with the most prevalent dates being 1951, 1952 and 1953. As for where, the predominant countries are Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany.
In fact (based on the archives of the Munich Veterinary School) IVSU was founded by 38 students of 10 different nationalities, at the international summer student camps of Veterinary Medicine in Giessen, West Germany, in the village of Gleiberg on 06/08/1953.
It was originally called the International Veterinary Student Union (IVSU)
The early years of IVSU
In the early years of IVSU, it only appeared in European countries. Nevertheless, students from all over the world managed to attend the first IVSU conferences.This was likely due to the few veterinary schools that existed worldwide, with the oldest and most important ones being located in Europe, forcing students from all over the world to study in Europe.
2nd IVSU Conference
In 1954, the 2nd IVSU Congress was held in Alfort, France, attended by 100 students from 20 different countries, including Yugoslavia, Chile, the USA, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Syria! Contributing to the rapid internationalization of the organization.
Rename from IVSU to IVSA
In 1968, the IVSU (International Veterinary Student Union) was renamed IVSA (International Veterinary Student Association) and began to actively include students from non-European countries as members and has continued to grow to this day.
