17 Jul 2019
Vets from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka received International Awards, while others were honoured, at RCVS event in London on 12 July.
Holly Kernot
Job Title
Abdul-Jalil Mohammadzai receiving his International Award from Amanda Boag.
A vet who has helped improve animal welfare in one of the most challenging parts of the world has been honoured at Royal College Day.
Abdul-Jalil Mohammadzai received an RCVS International Award in recognition of the groundbreaking work he has done in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Dr Mohammadzai qualified as a vet in the Afghan capital and left for London when the Taliban came to power.
However, it was always his aim to improve animal welfare in his home country – which, following the fall of the Taliban, came to fruition when the Mayhew animal welfare charity was registered as a non-governmental organisation in Afghanistan in 2016.
In his role as country director for Mayhew, Dr Mohammadzai has been responsible for ending the culling of street dogs in Kabul via poisoning.
On accepting his award, he said: “Thanks to everyone who voted for me, and to my family and colleagues who helped me on this journey.”
The second International Award was given to Sam Thevasagayam in acknowledgement of his extensive career in animal health and veterinary medicines research.
He is deputy director for global development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and has been instrumental in supporting interest in many neglected animal diseases.
Dr Thevasagayam said: “When I studied veterinary medicine in Sri Lanka 30 years ago… never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day the royal college would recognise my contribution to the profession, and I stand here very grateful. Thank you.”
Other awards and their winners were:
The day also comprised a meeting of RCVS council, where the new officer team for 2019-20 was confirmed, comprising Niall Connell as president, Amanda Boag as senior vice-president, Mandisa Greene as junior vice-president and Christopher (Kit) Sturgess as treasurer.
