John McCormack

The international community of students on John McCormack's course inspired his own far reaching career in veterinary medicine.

Your time at the University

After having graduated from University College Galway (B.Sc 79) and University College Dublin (B.Ag.Sc-86), Ireland in Science (Zoology and Microbiology) and Agriculture Science (1986) respectively and teaching and then working with Irish Department of Foreign Affairs on their Development Aid program in Lesotho Southern Africa for a number of years where I was fortunate to work on a nationwide breed improvement program for the famed Basotho Pony, I decided to complete a Masters Degree program at the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine which had a very strong reputation. I spent a very enjoyable year there and learnt not only from the experience of the teaching staff but also from the wide experience of the class participants from around the world.

Tell us about your Experiences since leaving the University

I am presently a senior adviser to the United States Agency for International development (USAID) in agriculture and alternative livelihoods and have spent over twenty plus years in the international development arena, working in a variety of countries, among them Southern Africa, Eastern Europe, former CIS and more recently covering USAID Afghanistan and Pakistan portfolio (The largest portfolio in USAID) of agriculture sector programming for USAID under their Office for Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs.

Develop your gifts and talents and contribute to a better world.

The contribution of the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine to my education and career and particularly to my work in the livestock sector has been invaluable and enabled me to make a variety of contributions at various levels (Policy, strategy, Ministerial, regional and community and producers) to the development of agriculture and livestock sectors in various countries. I am currently on leave of absence from USAID and contributing to the development of an EU funded program supporting the development of a National Extension and Advisory service in Kosovo.

Alumni wisdom

Make the most of the educational opportunities available to you and the wide range of experience of teachers and students to enable you to develop your gifts and talents and contribute to a better world.