the scientific journal of the veterinary faculty university - Slovenian ...

134kia), Wroclaw (Poland), Zagreb (Croatia) Ljubljanaand Vienna (Austria) University of Veterinary Medicine.Moreover, professor Pogačnik conducted theinternational TEMPUS project, dealing with theveterinary education. He also coordinated the Slovenianpart of the survey Vet 2020 which goal was toforesee the necessities of the veterinary professionin the next decade. He is also the Slovenian delegatein OIE (Office International de Epizootie), memberof ECVAM scientific committee (European Centrefor the Validation of Alternative Methods) and, lately,also the member of EFSA directorate (EuropeanFood Safety Authority).Professor Pogačnik has mediated his knowledgeand experiences achieved in the scientific, educational,organizational, professional, and managementwork to other European educational establishments.It is crucial to stress his advisory helpto the veterinary faculties in the republics of formerYugoslavia. He has participated as the reviewer inthe evaluation of study programmes. As an excellentscientist, lecturer and manager he has actuallybeen the mentor of all faculties in the former commoncountry. This part of the Europe has struggledwith many difficulties in the last decade, but the professionalconnections and the relations have neverbeen cut off.At the ceremony, the dean of the Faculty of theVeterinary Medicine in Skopje professor Mišo Hristovskistressed the paramount value of the helpgiven by professor Pogačnik to the Skopje Faculty,especially for its international enforcement. Withprofessor’s help, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicinein Skopje, together with Veterinary Faculty inLjubljana, participates in different internationalresearch projects. With the endeavours of professorPogačnik, the Skopje Faculty became the fullyauthorised member of EAEVE. Experiences withthe Slovenian model of the organisation of the VeterinaryFaculty were also introduced in the SkopjeFaculty system. First contacts with the colleaguesfrom Macedonia were established in the eighties ofthe last century. Important events which set up thesuccessful collaboration were scientific meetings inOhrid and the first embryo transfer in Macedonia,carried out by the Slovenian experts. After the establishmentof the Faculty of Veterinary Medicinein the autonomous Republic of Macedonia 16 yearsago, the connections became closer and stronger.The cooperation continued with the active bilateralprojects, expert exchanges, evaluation of study programmes,organisation of the veterinary institute,introduction of quality assurance, accreditation ofdiagnostic laboratories, etc. Especially importantis the introduction of Bologna process in the studyof the veterinary medicine, which demanded a lotof new knowledge, experience and skills. ProfessorPogačnik is very honourable and respected expertin many fields of the veterinary science at nationaland international level.With his previous work and cooperation, professorPogačnik essentially contributed not only to thedevelopment of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicineof the University St. Cyril and Method of Skopje, butalso to the general development of the veterinarymedicine in the Republic of Macedonia.At the event of the first nomination of doctor honoriscausa in the veterinary profession in Slovenia,we sincerely congratulate professor Pogačnik forthis great honour.Prof. Dr. Vojteh Cestnik,Veterinary Faculty, Ljubljana