Media Release
Animal Welfare in One Health: Indonesian–Australian Collaboration Strengthens Veterinary Education Ahead of April Workshop
A landmark collaboration between Indonesian and Australian universities and not-for-profit organisations has strengthened understanding of animal welfare in One Health in a series of lectures at Indonesian veterinary schools this year. The project’s capstone workshop to educate veterinary graduates working pro bono in the field is scheduled for April 2026 in Lombok, Indonesia.
The project, Animal Welfare in One Health: An Indonesian–Australian Education Collaboration, recognises the critical interconnection between animal welfare and animal, human, and environmental health. Improving animal welfare understanding and practice is critical for the wellbeing of sentient animals and for mitigating zoonotic disease risks, improving food security, and encouraging sustainable trade. Importantly, the initiative promotes local and regional One Health resilience.
Deakin University was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Australia–Indonesia Institute, and with partners Murdoch University, Sintesia Animalia Indonesia, and Animals Australia, is delivering evidence-based, outcomes-focused veterinary and animal welfare law education using a decolonised approach that focuses on Indonesian needs, knowledge, and leadership.
More than 120 veterinary students and graduates at Airlangga, Udayana and Mandalika Universities in Indonesia participated in targeted seminars covering the role of animal welfare in One Health, Indonesian and international animal welfare law and policy, ethical approaches to animal treatment, and the critical role of veterinarians in safeguarding and promoting animal welfare. The seminars were co-designed by Indonesian and Australian experts to ensure local relevance, cultural appropriateness, and long-term applicability.
The practical workshop in Lombok is a significant highlight of the project as it will bring together veterinary graduates who are performing pro bono services in disadvantaged areas for free continuing education. The focus will be on applied veterinary skills and animal welfare theory relevant to veterinary practice under field conditions.
“Limited veterinary education and funding have presented challenges for improving animal welfare in Indonesia,” said Drh Sasa Vernandes, Chief Veterinary Officer at Sintesia Animalia Indonesia. “This project has already strengthened local veterinary knowledge and capacity, and we expect that the forthcoming workshop will further contribute to these outcomes and continue to develop lasting connections between Indonesian and Australian partners.”
The project contributes to better animal, human and environmental health outcomes in Indonesia by increasing the knowledge, skills and confidence of veterinary students and graduates. Its legacy will foster a cohort of veterinary practitioners able to promote and protect animal welfare as a critical component of One Health and thereby improve sustained regional resilience.
By building collaboration between Australian and Indonesian stakeholders, the project has created strong impetus for future cooperation in education, research and capacity-building in One Health in Indonesia. This is important in growing mutually advantageous bilateral relationships between Australia and Indonesia.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Jane Kotzmann
Associate Professor
School of Law, Deakin University
+61 3 924 43906
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