Goa’s first College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences will commence its undergraduate programme on November 16 for the academic year 2026-27, marking a significant step forward in veterinary education in the state.

The inaugural batch will comprise 40 students, including 26 girls and 14 boys, all of whom have qualified the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), as required for admission to veterinary courses.

Dean Rajkumar Solomon said the five-and-a-half-year programme will include four-and-a-half years of academic training followed by a one-year internship, providing students with practical exposure across clinical, livestock, farm and industrial settings.

Although veterinary colleges follow a 50 per cent All India quota, the first four batches of the Goa institution will comprise entirely Goan students. The college will also facilitate internships across the country through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with other institutions, as mandated by the Veterinary Council of India.

During the internship, students will gain hands-on experience at dairy plants, meat-processing units, zoos, livestock farms and clinical facilities.

The institution also plans to develop linkages with pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, creating opportunities in veterinary pharmaceuticals, clinical trials, biomedical sciences, toxicology and regulatory sciences.

On the faculty front, the Goa Public Service Commission has recruited teaching staff for the first year, with 29 posts earmarked. Most positions, including associate professors and assistant professors, have been filled.

Academic activities will initially be conducted at the 16-acre campus at Curti, while another 25 acres at Codar will be developed for animal sheds, fodder facilities and practical training infrastructure.

The college aims to develop into a technology-enabled institution integrating digital learning, artificial intelligence, tele-veterinary services and international academic collaborations. It also aspires to become a hub for One Health, Pashu Ayurveda, climate-resilient livestock production and pet and livestock entrepreneurship.