(Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 17 April, 2026) - The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) at Bahir Dar University is proud to announce the official launch of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) LINK Program. This milestone initiative, led by Dr. Dagmawi Yitbarek, the UFAW LINK Representative, marks a significant step in integrating global animal welfare science into our academic and research culture.

The launch event, attended by the SVM Dean, Dr. Yeshwas Ferede Alemu, the Research and Community Engagement Vice Dean, Dr. Shewatatek Melaku Asefa, Head of the Department of Veterinary Biomedical and Para-clinical Sciences, Dr. Bizuneh Tsehayneh Azene, and Head of the Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, Dr. Andnet Yirga Assefa,  the faculty, the Student Animal Welfare Club (SAW-Club) executive team and members, and a large gathering of both DVM and BVSc students, introduced the SVM community to UFAW, an international organization founded in 1926 dedicated to advancing animal welfare through scientific evidence rather than emotion alone. By joining the global UFAW LINKS network, Bahir Dar University aligns itself with a prestigious group of institutions committed to the modern welfare standards.
    
The establishment of the LINK program directly supports the SVM 5-year strategic plan (2025–2030), which prioritizes Animal Welfare and One Health. Positioned within the Lake Tana Basin, our school is uniquely placed to lead in both terrestrial and aquatic animal welfare, producing socially responsible veterinarians equipped to solve complex welfare challenges in Ethiopia.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit the official UFAW website or contact Dr. Dagmawi Yitbarek at Dagmawi.Yitbarek@bdu.edu.et.

Together, we can make a real and practical difference in the lives of animals.