Regional Accreditation in Southeast Asia: From Standards to Impact

Veterinarians play a critical role at the intersection of animal, human and environmental health and sustainability. This interconnected responsibility, captured by the One Health concept, is becoming increasingly urgent as Southeast Asia faces climate change, emerging diseases and greater cross-border risks.

As a rapidly growing economic region, Southeast Asia has a rising demand for highly competent veterinary professionals. Transboundary animal diseases such as avian influenza, African swine fever, foot and mouth disease and rabies continue to threaten animal production systems, food security and public health.  

These evolving pressures highlight the need for stronger veterinary capacity across the region. At its core, this starts with improving the quality and consistency of veterinary education. 

A Regional Approach to Veterinary Education

Veterinary education systems across Southeast Asia are diverse. Of the region’s 11 countries, at least eight have veterinary schools [1,2], with 34 institutions collaborating through the Southeast Asia Veterinary School Association (SEAVSA), established in 2010 [3]. While each country regulates veterinary education independently, some institutions have pursued international accreditation through bodies such as the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) or the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), which evaluate and accredit veterinary schools in their respective regions. However, until recently, there was no shared framework tailored to the Southeast Asian context.  

Recognising this gap, SEAVSA initiated the development of a regional accreditation framework in 2021. The resulting Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards represent a collective effort to harmonise educational standards while respecting the diversity of national systems.  

Developing the Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards

The Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards were developed through a multi-year collaborative process involving regional stakeholders and international partners. The work drew on existing frameworks, particularly the Day 1 Competencies (D1C) laid out by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) [4,5] and professional standards developed by the Veterinary Council of Thailand through WOAH’s Veterinary Statutory Body (VSB) Twinning Project with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), carried out between 2018 and 2020 [6,7]. Professor Tim Parkinson and WOAH served as advisors to the project, helping to produce professional standards for veterinary education and the veterinary profession in Thailand. 

As part of this initiative, representatives from 14 veterinary schools in Thailand and veterinary schools in other ASEAN countries participated in training and workshops organised by the Veterinary Council of Thailand (VCT) and AVBC. In October 2022, participants at the second WOAH Sub-Regional Workshop on Veterinary Education Establishment (VEE) Accreditation in Bangkok drafted accreditation standards for Southeast Asian veterinary schools, with support from Professor Parkinson as an AVSBN advisor [6].  

That same year, AVSBN and SEAVSA established an ad hoc working group to develop the Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards. Finalised in March 2023 [6], the standards cover 11 key areas, including institution and governance, finance and resources, admission and student support, curriculum and assessment, teaching facilities and animal resources, faculty and staffing, research and continuing education, as well as quality assurance and outcomes. Together, these areas provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating and improving veterinary education. 

For each standard, the assessment criteria identify the key elements required for compliance, which then form the basis for assessment. The criteria also take into account differences in animal husbandry practices, livestock production systems and cultural contexts among SEAVSA member countries. This is intended to ensure that the assessment criteria remain relevant and practical across diverse national contexts while maintaining consistency with the overall objectives of the Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards. 

The next step was to put the standards into practice. At SEAVSA’s annual general meeting in Bangkok in April 2024, veterinary schools and veterinary educational institutions from across Southeast Asia worked towards a common understanding of what these standards would entail, including the establishment of the exact assessment criteria associated with the 11 core standards and the four progressive standards. Members were encouraged to assess their own institutions against the standards and discussed mechanisms for institutional assessment, including the establishment of a committee to support their implementation. By the end of the meeting, members had formally endorsed the standards and committed to developing an institutional assessment mechanism for veterinary educational institutions in the region. 

A Progressive and Inclusive Framework

A distinctive feature of the Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards is their progressive structure, designed to accommodate institutions at different stages of development. The framework defines four levels: Level 1 (WOAH Day 1 Competencies), which focuses on basic compliance with core competencies; Level 2 (Developing Veterinary Education Establishment [VEE]), which reflects expanding capacity and moderate competencies; Level 3 (Recognised VEE), which meets the full standards with stronger institutional capacity; and Level 4 (Established VEE), which recognises advanced institutions demonstrating high-level performance. 

This staged approach allows veterinary schools to participate while encouraging continuous improvement. For example, requirements for faculty qualifications, student-to-teacher ratios and research capacity gradually increase across the four levels. Rather than imposing a single benchmark, the framework provides a pathway for development that reflects the diverse circumstances of veterinary schools in Southeast Asia. 

Implementation: From Standards to Practice

Implementation of the standards is already underway, with veterinary schools across the region conducting self-assessments against the agreed criteria. This process can help institutions identify strengths and gaps, inform strategic planning and encourage peer learning and collaboration. Regional meetings, such as SEAVSA conferences, also provide opportunities for institutions to share their findings, discuss challenges and exchange good practices.  

Two veterinary schools in Thailand have already undertaken comprehensive self-assessments while seeking accreditation from international veterinary education accreditation bodies. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kasetsart University conducted a self-assessment as part of its application for accreditation by the AVBC, while the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Chulalongkorn University did so as part of the accreditation process of EAEVE. 

These examples show how self-assessment is already being used as part of quality assurance and accreditation in veterinary education in Thailand. Experience gained from international accreditation may therefore provide a valuable foundation for implementing systematic assessment against the Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards among SEAVSA member institutions. In turn, this could support continuous quality improvement and stronger academic cooperation across Southeast Asia. 

Working Towards a Regional Accreditation Body

A key next step is to establish a regional veterinary education accreditation body, a proposal advanced at the ninth SEAVSA meeting in 2024. The proposed body would bring together representatives from AVSBN, SEAVSA, national Veterinary Services, the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) and the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA). 

The body would be responsible for implementing accreditation procedures and promoting harmonised standards, while supporting professional mobility across ASEAN and greater collaboration among veterinary education institutions. 

However, a significant challenge remains: AVSBN currently lacks formal legal recognition within ASEAN frameworks. It has therefore applied to become an ASEAN-affiliated civil society organisation, with its application currently under review. Such recognition would support the creation of a credible and sustainable regional accreditation system. 

Supporting Workforce Mobility and One Health

The development of harmonised education standards has implications far beyond academia. A regional accreditation system could support veterinary workforce mobility by helping to ensure consistent competencies among professionals working across borders. This is particularly important for addressing transboundary animal diseases and emerging zoonoses, which require coordinated responses across Southeast Asia. 

Stronger veterinary education can also contribute to improved animal health and welfare, enhanced food safety and security, greater preparedness for public health emergencies and greater resilience to climate‑related risks. In this way, better veterinary education can support broader One Health goals and sustainability in the region. 

Investing in Veterinary Education for One Health

The Southeast Asia Veterinary Education Standards represent a vital step towards strengthening veterinary capacity in the region. By providing a shared framework, promoting collaboration and supporting continuous improvement, they lay the foundation for a more cohesive and globally consistent veterinary education system. 

Establishing a regional accreditation body will be a critical step in implementing these standards and ensuring their long-term success. Once operational, it can drive quality assurance, professional mobility and promote greater regional integration. 

Ultimately, investing in veterinary education is an investment in One Health. As Southeast Asia continues to face complex health challenges, a strong, well-trained veterinary workforce will be essential to safeguarding the future of animal, human and environmental health. 

Main image: ©WOAH/Patricia Wilwayco

References 

[1] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Regional list of Veterinary Education Establishments. Paris (France): WOAH; 2020. Available at: https://rr-asia.woah.org/en/projects/vee/regional-list-of-veterinary-education-establishments/ (accessed on 23 July 2026). 

[2] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). South-East Asia Veterinary School Association (SEAVSA) membership, 2024. Paris (France): WOAH; 2025. Available at: https://rr-asia.woah.org/app/uploads/2025/06/TS3_2_KT_WOAH_SAVEEVSB-Network_Sri-Lanka.pdf (accessed on 23 July 2026). 

[3] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Collaboration between OIE and SEAVSA: role of the South East Asia Veterinary School Association in advancing veterinary education. Paris (France): WOAH; 2020. Available at: https://rr-asia.woah.org/app/uploads/2020/03/3-3-trinh-dinh-thau-seavesa.pdf (accessed on 23 July 2026). 

[4] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Veterinary Education Core Curriculum: OIE Guidelines. Paris (France): WOAH; 2013. Available at: https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2021/03/af-core-ang.pdf (accessed on 23 July 2026). 

[5] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Recommendations on the Competencies of Graduating Veterinarians (‘Day 1 Graduates’). Paris (France): WOAH; 2012. Available at: https://www.woah.org/en/document/dayone-b-ang-vc/ (accessed on 23 July 2026). 

[6] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Virtual Workshop on the Way Forward of VEEs and VSBs in South-East Asia. Paris (France): WOAH; 2023. Available at: https://rr-asia.woah.org/en/events/virtual-workshop-on-the-way-forward-of-vees-and-vsbs-in-south-east-asia/ (accessed on 23 July 2026). 

[7] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The 1st OIE Sub-Regional Virtual Workshop on Veterinary Education Establishment (VEE) Accreditation. Paris (France): WOAH; 2021. Available at: https://rr-asia.woah.org/en/events/the-1st-oie-sub-regional-virtual-workshop-on-veterinary-education-establishment-vee-accreditation/ (accessed on 23 July 2026).