MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A delegation from Poland recently visited Mississippi to get ideas for a new veterinary facility at the Warsaw Agricultural University.

Mississippi State University hosted the president, vice president, head of administration, two veterinarians and an architect who studied the physical structure and general philosophy of the College of Veterinary Medicine in Starkville.

Drs. Randy and Karyl Buddington, professors of biological sciences at MSU, were two of the hosts for the delegation.

"MSU has one of the newest College of Veterinary Medicine structures in the United States. They not only wanted to learn how to build their structure, but they also wanted to review the organization of the college," Randy Buddington said. "Mississippi State appreciates the opportunity to interact with an international institution. It enables us to learn from each other. We hope this will open the door for more exchanges between our universities in the future."

Buddington said Mississippi and Poland have similar veterinary needs.

"Poland has an expanding hog and poultry industry. They have a strong agricultural basis, much like we do," he said.

Poland has four veterinary colleges, and the new one will replace an existing program.

Andrzej Pisula, vice president for Warsaw Agricultural University, said the group appreciated how MSU is involved with the main agricultural crops and working to solve problems.

"We're not only interested in teaching and research, but we also would like to increase extension efforts (like at MSU)," Pisula said.

The Extension Service works to provide research results and practical guidance to people outside the university setting.

During their visit to Starkville, the Polish group attended a horse-owner workshop at MSU's AgriCenter, toured meat processing plants, visited with university researchers and departments that interact with the veterinary college.

Dr. Robert Cooper, director of MSU's Animal Health Center, conducted tours throughout the facility.

"We appreciated the opportunity to get feedback on the facility at MSU from international professionals and look forward to possible academic interactions in the future," Cooper said.

"We saw how MSU houses large and small animals in the clinic. The organization of stables and how the plan is working at MSU confirmed some of our ideas," Pisula said.

The individuals in the group were not first-time visitors to the United States. In the past, members of the group have visited other universities including Ohio State, Iowa State, Washington State, Purdue, Rutgers, Oklahoma, Missouri, Connecticut and Wisconsin. This was there first visit to a university in the South.

Contact: Dr. Randy Buddington, (662) 325-7580