CloserStill Media, organiser of the annual London Vet Show (LVS), has announced that it has established an annual bursary of £25,000 for students of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

The bursary was announced at the recently concluded London Vet Show 2014 (www.thelondonvetshow) held at Olympia. The funding will be used to support travel costs of veterinary students who commute between the RVC’s London and Hertfordshire campuses.

RVC Principal Professor Stuart Reid commented on the annual bursary: “The RVC's five-year BvetMed degree attracts students from a broad range of backgrounds, and this funding from the London Vet Show for travel to placements will help many enormously.

“During a veterinary degree students must gain experience within a variety of practice settings to gain the skills and knowledge required to become competent practitioners. Funding to support travel expenses for student vets therefore also supports the veterinary profession more generally, as well as animal health and welfare,” Professor Reid added.   

The RVC has been the education partner of the London Vet Show since the 2009 launch of the annual conference and exhibition.  The grant from CloserStill Media recognises the contribution the RVC has made as educational partner to the event, which promotes the professional development of veterinary surgeons and nurses.  The first annual bursary cheque was presented to RVC’s Professor Reid by Michael Westcott, director of CloserStill Media.

Commenting on the bursary, London Vet Show event director Rob Chapman said: “The bursary will help to safeguard the future of the profession by making the courses as accessible as possible to the best calibre of candidates, regardless of their circumstances. Travel in and out of London has become very expensive and the bursary will help ensure that no students are disadvantaged.”

CloserStill Media produces some of the healthcare sector’s largest and most influential events for vets, GPs, community and clinical pharmacists, dentists and dental technicians, commissioners, care workers, occupational therapists and hospital consultants. 

Pictured: Michael Westcott, director of CloserStill Media, presents the bursary cheque to Professor Stuart Reid, principal of the RVC.