17/06/2026
π We're celebrating an incredible achievement by three of our veterinary students!
Congratulations to Francesca Haldane, Shreya Patel and Rudi Bruijn-Yard, who have won the inaugural Worldwide Veterinary Service - WVS Global Veterinary Challenge Award and secured funding of up to Β£100,000 for their innovative project in Uganda.
Their proposal aims to tackle Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a devastating disease affecting goats and sheep, through a sustainable programme combining vaccination, education and community engagement.
The project impressed judges with its focus on creating lasting impact for smallholder farmers and will now be implemented by Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), working alongside the winning team to bring their vision to life.
We're incredibly proud to see our students developing solutions to global animal health challenges and making a difference far beyond Cambridge.
Congratulations, Francesca, Shreya and Rudi! πππ
π Massive congratulations to the winners of the WVS Global Challenge Award: Francesca Haldane, Shreya Patel, and Rudi Bruijn-Yard, final-year veterinary students at the University of Cambridge! π
The winners were announced on 11th June at the BVA Awards in Birmingham
The studentsβ proposed project aims to tackle Pests des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in goats, through a vaccination and education campaign in Uganda.
PPR is a highly contagious disease affecting small ruminants, primarily goats and sheep, with a morality rate of over 90%. This disease poses a serious threat to food supplies and incomes across Africa, Middle East and Asia.
The Cambridge students have developed a project aimed to protect goats and reduce the economic burden on smallholders in Uganda, which has experienced recent outbreaks across the country.
This winning proposal will now be allocated funding of up to Β£100,000 to be implemented by WVS, working alongside the Cambridge students to bring this vision to life.
Huge congratulations Francesca, Shreya, and Rudi π π π
Also a special thank you to all our finalists for being part of the Global Veterinary Challenge.
βThe Global Veterinary Challenge Award, in partnership with British Veterinary Association - BVA, is designed to empower veterinary students in the field of global animal welfare, encouraging them to design bold, innovative solutions. Applications for this challenge will be opening again soon, students interested in getting involved can register their interest at wvs.org.uk/globalchallenge β