Like many European countries, Croatia is facing a shortage of farm animal vets. Currently, around 80 students qualify each year from Zagreb veterinary faculty, of which only 10% end up in large animal practice. Scholarships for students choosing a career in farm animals or horses were discussed last week by Ivan Zemljak (Croatian veterinary chamber, HVK), Marko Samardzija (Veterinary faculty) and David Vlajcic (minister of Agriculture, fisheries and food).
Three-year scholarships
‘Students willing to sign a contract with one of the Croatian veterinary practices looking to employ young vets in farm animal or equine medicine would be able to apply for a three-year scholarship,’ explained Ivan Zemljak, President of HVK. The scholarship would start in fifth year, and continue as a grant for young graduates. Once the project is finalised, it could start as early as September 2026 for the first 25 students, with state funding of around 240,000 € per year.
Veterinary practices play a ‘crucial role’ in disease control
If the project proves successful, it might be extended to the entire duration of the veterinary curriculum. According to Davis Vlajcic, ‘it is a key project to save the Croatian veterinary practice network, which has played such a crucial role in the control of infectious diseases of animals, such as anthrax, African swine fever and PPR over the past few years in our country.’
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