Congratulations to Veterinary Medicine Faculty student Violet Adeline Wierbos on being elected as the next IVSA President
Violet Adeline Wierbos, a student of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has been elected President-Elect of the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) Global for the 2025/2026 term. She will assume the role of President in September 2026, representing veterinary students worldwide and leading the largest veterinary student association globally.
The International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) connects more than 20,000 veterinary students from over 80 countries, creating opportunities for international collaboration, professional development, and academic and cultural exchange within the global veterinary community.
This achievement highlights the growing international engagement of students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and reflects the faculty’s commitment to supporting students who take active roles in international academic and professional communities. The Faculty actively encourages students to participate in global initiatives, helping them develop leadership skills, broaden their perspectives, and build connections within the international veterinary field.
Her journey within the IVSA began five years ago as a member of IVSA Latvia within our faculty. Through active involvement in the organisation’s initiatives and activities, she gained experience in international collaboration, leadership, and student representation.
"Five years ago, I joined the IVSA as a student from a small Member Organisation, IVSA Latvia, unsure whether my voice truly carried equal weight," she explains. "Over time, I came to see what this association can become when people are encouraged, supported, and trusted to contribute. That belief shaped my journey and ultimately led me to step forward for this responsibility. To me, leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It is about being reliable when judgement, integrity, and direction matter most."
She emphasises that the support received along the way played an important role in this achievement. "I am truly grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from my faculty and from IVSA Latvia throughout this journey," she says. "Their belief in me motivated me to take this step further and pursue this opportunity."
During the coming year as President-Elect, she will work closely with the current IVSA Global leadership to ensure a smooth transition before assuming the Presidency in 2026. Currently, she also serves as Committee Coordinator and Vice President within IVSA Global, roles she will continue in the coming months to support ongoing initiatives and ensure a smooth transition.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine congratulates her on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to seeing her represent the faculty and Latvia within the international veterinary student community.

