This after the Free State Department of Agriculture hosted a welcoming ceremony for CCS Vets, who studied locally, at the Glen College of Agriculture and subsequently shared its activity on their Facebook page earlier this week. Some of the graduates who allegedly studied in Russia made negative comments on the social media page.  

According to the statement issued by the department, the negative responses came from a group of students who were offered bursaries by the Free State Provincial Government to study and obtain their Veterinary Medicine degrees in Russia. 

The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) stipulates that students who obtain foreign qualifications in the veterinary field are not permitted to work in South Africa before a thorough comparison and investigation into the curriculum of the course are done.

The Free State Department of Agriculture states that it has engaged in discussions with the SAVC at the University of Pretoria and the national department to try and assist the graduates to comply with verification requirements of students who studies in Russia. 

The department further stated that the University in Russia submitted the curriculum that was completed by students to the SAVC to allow the evaluation of their qualifications. 

OFM News has sent questions and is awaiting a response from the department.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi and Lee Simmons