More than a third of the veterinarians who have graduated
from Massey University over the past 14 years are not
practising in New Zealand.
Veterinary Council chairman Dr Ron Gibson says that only 62
percent of new graduate veterinarians from the
taxpayer-subsidised course at Massey University have remained
in the veterinary workforce in this country.
"Many of these are now practising overseas, where the lure of
higher remuneration is too attractive to resist in the face
of a large student loan," he said.
The lowest retention rate is for those who registered in
2001, 2002 and 2003, with slightly less than 50 percent still
practising in New Zealand.
"Active strategies and incentives are needed to keep
veterinarians in New Zealand and to attract Massey graduates
back home," Dr Gibson said in a statement.
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