The new facility, located on the first floor of the library at the Higher Technical School of Agrifood and Forestry Engineering and Veterinary Medicine (ETSEAFiV), features immersive technologies such as mixed reality 3D glasses, cow and piglet simulators, microscopes, wooden models, and plastinated anatomical models. These tools allow students to practice complex procedures like rectal exams, artificial insemination, or blood extractions before dealing with real animals.
“"It is very useful because here you don't have as much pressure or an animal that might be nervous. On the farm there is a lot of noise, you want to make it as painless as possible, and here you remove that burden."
SIMVET also incorporates a clinical simulation consultation room connected to a teaching observation room, allowing students to practice real situations, such as communicating a patient's death to its owner. The Deputy Director of Veterinary Medicine, Irina-Garcia-Ispierto, highlighted that the use of these simulators meets a requirement from European agencies that promotes reducing contact with healthy live animals.
“"the infrastructures surrounding this degree are increasingly important and incorporate technological advances that make us very competitive and pioneers in the training of our students."
The Director of ETSEAFiV, Jordi Graell, noted that the double degree in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and Production is celebrating ten years with consistently full enrollment. The SIMVET space involved an initial investment of 40,000 euros, and the Diputació de Lleida has committed an additional 130,000 euros for a second expansion phase that will include horse and small ruminant simulators.
