VETERINARIANS will have to undergo compulsory continuing professional education (CPE) from January next year as part of efforts to raise the standard of the profession in Singapore.

The new initiative is aimed at encouraging vets to take pro-active responsibility to keep themselves abreast of developments in the veterinary field and maintain their professional competence.

They can take up structured CPE activities such as attending courses and conferences, or self-improvement activities like reading and in-practice training.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) will make compulsory CPE a requirement for renewal of the licence to practise veterinary medicine in Singapore from January 2008.

The compulsory move was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for National Development Mohamad Maliki Osman at the opening of the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA) annual conference on Friday night.

Developed countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the United States have adopted CPE in varying ways to help vets keep themselves up-to-date with developments in the veterinary field.

'CPE is essential to maintain and enhance veterinary skills and knowledge,' said Dr Maliki.

'The implementation of compulsory CPE for vets will bring the profession in line with the practices of other professions in Singapore, such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.'

He said the AVA will put in place a framework to make CPE a requirement when vets renew their licence. A two-year grace period will be given, so those revnewing their licences next year and 2009 will not be affected.

AVA will announce the implementation details to the profession soon.

In his speech, Dr Maliki said the veterinary profession has expanded in recent years, with the number of licensed vets going up by four-fold from 29 in 1988 to 126 today.

The number of veterinary centres and clinics in Singapore has also increased from five in 1971 to the current 34.

He said that vets must keep up with the latest developments in veterinary knowledge and meet the higher expectations of the public and growing number of pet owners in Singapore.

He commended SVA for rolling out a voluntary CPE scheme in 2004.

'Because of SVA's initiative, CPE is now a familiar concept to the profession. Indeed, when AVA consulted vets on the policy of compulsory CPE, the responses from the profession were encouraging,' he noted.

'Vets who responded readily agreed that CPE was important to maintain and enhance professional skills.'

'Many of them already undertake some form of CPE and provided positive feedback, which AVA has taken into consideration in formulating the framework for compulsory CPE.'