Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has appointed Professor Patrick Pollock as its new Head of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.

ATU will be offering its new five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) programme from September 2026, based at ATU’s Letterkenny campus in Donegal.

While the majority of students' time will be spent in Letterkenny, one semester will be delivered at Mountbellew Agricultural College.

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The programme will initially offer 40 places with applications opening via the CAO on 5 November 2025 under the CAO code: AU375. 

Professor Patrick Pollock is a globally recognised equine surgeon and educator, bringing decades of experience to the role.

He qualified in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the University of Glasgow, and went on to achieve a PhD in equine disease and a Master’s Degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in Disaster Medicine and Management.

He has led major veterinary hospitals at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and is the world’s first Professor of Remote and Rural Veterinary Medicine.

Speaking ahead of the National Ploughing Championship, Professor Pollock said: "ATU veterinary is more than a vet school – it’s a veterinary community, serving the people and animals of Ireland and beyond. Our graduates will emerge resilient, confident, and ready to make a difference anywhere in the world."

Accreditation

ATU’s BVMS is designed to align with Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), European System of Evaluation of Veterinary Training (ESEVT) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) professional accreditation standards.

As professional accreditation involves the assessment of the entire programme of education, final accreditation can only be granted after the first cohort of students graduate from the programme, however the program has been externally validated and pre accreditation visits with the VCI have been planned for year one and year three of the program prior to the final accreditation process after the first cohort of students complete the course.

By increasing the number of training places available in Ireland, ATU has said it aims to enhance provision of veterinary education nationally, giving more students the opportunity to study veterinary medicine in the country, and ensuring that Ireland’s communities have access to world class veterinary care.

Dr Orla Flynn, president of ATU said: “We are proud to be one of the leaders in this national initiative, which will not only expand access to veterinary education in Ireland but also strengthen rural veterinary services and drive innovation in this discipline.

"I’m especially delighted to welcome Professor Pollock to ATU. His exceptional international experience and leadership in veterinary education will be instrumental in shaping the success of our new veterinary offerings. Professor Pollock brings not only clinical and academic excellence, but also a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in rural and global veterinary practice. His appointment marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver world-class veterinary education in Ireland.”

Dr Joanne Gallagher, head of school of veterinary, agriculture and environmental science said that this is a transformative moment for veterinary education in Ireland.

Ploughing

ATU welcomes students, educators, and the general public to visit the stand to learn more about this exciting new chapter in Irish veterinary education at the National Ploughing Championship at Block 2, Row 9, Stand 197 from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 September.