Slov Vet Res 2007; 44 (4): 133-4PROF. DR. MILAN POGAČNIK – DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSAPr<strong>of</strong>. Dr. Milan Pogačnik (left) receiving honorary doctoratefrom <strong>the</strong> rector <strong>of</strong> Ss. Cyril and Methodius Universityin Skopje Pr<strong>of</strong>. Dr. Gjorgji MartinovskiNot many members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Ljubljanahad received <strong>the</strong> title <strong>of</strong> honoris causa in <strong>the</strong> last fewyears. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> news that pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik,full pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> pathology, forensicand administrative <strong>veterinary</strong> medicine, receivedthis honour on September 26th is much more favourable.The title was given to pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik by <strong>the</strong>University <strong>of</strong> St. Cyril and Method <strong>of</strong> Skopje, Macedonia,as <strong>the</strong> recognition for his merits for <strong>the</strong> development<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> medicine in <strong>the</strong> Republic<strong>of</strong> Macedonia, for his significant contribution to<strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> pathology, forensicand administrative <strong>veterinary</strong> medicine, for hisimportant help in international research projectsand his influence on <strong>the</strong> <strong>scientific</strong>, educational andpr<strong>of</strong>essional development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Skopje Faculty <strong>of</strong>Veterinary Medicine, especially for <strong>the</strong> renovation <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> study programme in accordance with <strong>the</strong> Europeanstandards.The ceremony, which took place in <strong>the</strong> solemnhall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Skopje University, was attended by <strong>the</strong>rector, deans, vice deans, senators and managers<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>university</strong> institutes, <strong>the</strong> president <strong>of</strong> EAEVE(European Association for <strong>the</strong> Establishments <strong>of</strong>Veterinary Education) pr<strong>of</strong>essor Marcel Wanner,members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> executive board and deans <strong>of</strong> someEuropean <strong>veterinary</strong> faculties.Thirty six years <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik’s work in<strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> medicine has always beenconnected with <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> pathology, forensicand administrative <strong>veterinary</strong> medicine and, consequently,with <strong>the</strong> animal care and protection, <strong>veterinary</strong>public health and environment protection.Interdisciplinary work, which he devoted his energyto, has been combined with different fields <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><strong>veterinary</strong> medicine, agriculture, husbandry, foodand environment protection, medicine, pharmacy,economy and law. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik is <strong>the</strong> principalinvestigator <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research project Animals’health, environment and safe food, as well as <strong>the</strong>holder <strong>of</strong> some target oriented and applied projectsin <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> sustainable farming in which he successfullyincorporated <strong>the</strong> interdisciplinary work<strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals from agriculture, forestry and <strong>veterinary</strong>medicine. The international projects he hasconducted enabled <strong>Slovenian</strong> agricultural and <strong>veterinary</strong>medicine to establish its place in <strong>the</strong> Europeand worldwide. The repercussions <strong>of</strong> his work haveresulted in <strong>the</strong> projects concerning <strong>the</strong> China Karstcultivation.As <strong>the</strong> dean <strong>of</strong> Ljubljana Veterinary Faculty, pr<strong>of</strong>essorPogačnik has essentially contributed to <strong>the</strong>recognition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>faculty</strong> at home and abroad. For along time he was a member <strong>of</strong> EAEVE executive committee,one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> founders and <strong>the</strong> president <strong>of</strong> Vet-Nest (Veterinary Network <strong>of</strong> European Student andStuff Transfer) which associates <strong>veterinary</strong> faculties<strong>of</strong> Budapest, Brno (Czech Republic), Košice (Slova-
134kia), Wroclaw (Poland), Zagreb (Croatia) Ljubljanaand Vienna (Austria) University <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Medicine.Moreover, pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik conducted <strong>the</strong>international TEMPUS project, dealing with <strong>the</strong><strong>veterinary</strong> education. He also coordinated <strong>the</strong> <strong>Slovenian</strong>part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> survey Vet 2020 which goal was t<strong>of</strong>oresee <strong>the</strong> necessities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionin <strong>the</strong> next decade. He is also <strong>the</strong> <strong>Slovenian</strong> delegatein OIE (Office International de Epizootie), member<strong>of</strong> ECVAM <strong>scientific</strong> committee (European Centrefor <strong>the</strong> Validation <strong>of</strong> Alternative Methods) and, lately,also <strong>the</strong> member <strong>of</strong> EFSA directorate (EuropeanFood Safety Authority).Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik has mediated his knowledgeand experiences achieved in <strong>the</strong> <strong>scientific</strong>, educational,organizational, pr<strong>of</strong>essional, and managementwork to o<strong>the</strong>r European educational establishments.It is crucial to stress his advisory helpto <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> faculties in <strong>the</strong> republics <strong>of</strong> formerYugoslavia. He has participated as <strong>the</strong> reviewer in<strong>the</strong> evaluation <strong>of</strong> study programmes. As an excellentscientist, lecturer and manager he has actuallybeen <strong>the</strong> mentor <strong>of</strong> all faculties in <strong>the</strong> former commoncountry. This part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Europe has struggledwith many difficulties in <strong>the</strong> last decade, but <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionalconnections and <strong>the</strong> relations have neverbeen cut <strong>of</strong>f.At <strong>the</strong> ceremony, <strong>the</strong> dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Veterinary Medicine in Skopje pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mišo Hristovskistressed <strong>the</strong> paramount value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> helpgiven by pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik to <strong>the</strong> Skopje Faculty,especially for its international enforcement. Withpr<strong>of</strong>essor’s help, <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Medicinein Skopje, toge<strong>the</strong>r with Veterinary Faculty inLjubljana, participates in different internationalresearch projects. With <strong>the</strong> endeavours <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essorPogačnik, <strong>the</strong> Skopje Faculty became <strong>the</strong> fullyauthorised member <strong>of</strong> EAEVE. Experiences with<strong>the</strong> <strong>Slovenian</strong> model <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> VeterinaryFaculty were also introduced in <strong>the</strong> SkopjeFaculty system. First contacts with <strong>the</strong> colleaguesfrom Macedonia were established in <strong>the</strong> eighties <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> last century. Important events which set up <strong>the</strong>successful collaboration were <strong>scientific</strong> meetings inOhrid and <strong>the</strong> first embryo transfer in Macedonia,carried out by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Slovenian</strong> experts. After <strong>the</strong> establishment<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Medicinein <strong>the</strong> autonomous Republic <strong>of</strong> Macedonia 16 yearsago, <strong>the</strong> connections became closer and stronger.The cooperation continued with <strong>the</strong> active bilateralprojects, expert exchanges, evaluation <strong>of</strong> study programmes,organisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> institute,introduction <strong>of</strong> quality assurance, accreditation <strong>of</strong>diagnostic laboratories, etc. Especially importantis <strong>the</strong> introduction <strong>of</strong> Bologna process in <strong>the</strong> study<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> medicine, which demanded a lot<strong>of</strong> new knowledge, experience and skills. Pr<strong>of</strong>essorPogačnik is very honourable and respected expertin many fields <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> science at nationaland international level.With his previous work and cooperation, pr<strong>of</strong>essorPogačnik essentially contributed not only to <strong>the</strong>development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Veterinary Medicine<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University St. Cyril and Method <strong>of</strong> Skopje, butalso to <strong>the</strong> general development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong>medicine in <strong>the</strong> Republic <strong>of</strong> Macedonia.At <strong>the</strong> event <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first nomination <strong>of</strong> doctor honoriscausa in <strong>the</strong> <strong>veterinary</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>ession in Slovenia,we sincerely congratulate pr<strong>of</strong>essor Pogačnik forthis great honour.Pr<strong>of</strong>. Dr. Vojteh Cestnik,Veterinary Faculty, Ljubljana