Hindu University Of America Press Release

March 21^st 2003

HU Launches Master’s Degree Program in Ayurveda.

Hindu University (Orlando, Florida) and Ayurveda Academy (Seattle, Washington) have joined hands to implement a program for Master’s Degree in Ayurvedic Sciences. This joint venture was formally launched in an event held at the HU Campus in Orlando on March 21, 2004

Braham Aggarwal, Chair of the Board of Directors of Hindu University, Professor K.C. Gupta President of Hindu University, and Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, Director of Ayurveda Academy, lighting the ceremonial lamp to mark inauguration of Ayurveda degree program

Mr. Braham Aggarwal, Chair HU Board of Directors welcomed the guests for this event held at the newly constructed yoga-meditation hall which is also used as a lecture theater. HU President Professor K.C. Gupta summarized the Ayurveda program at HU and reported briefly on the other current activities of HU. Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, Director of the Ayurvedic Academy in Seattle outlined the Ayurveda educational activities of the Academy. The formal inauguration of the joint program was carried out by lighting a ceremonial ghee deepam (a lamp using cotton wick and clarified butter).

Dr. Shanbhag delivering the seminar on “Ayurveda for Wellness.”

This introduction and inauguration was followed by an informative talk by Dr. Shanbhag on “Ayurveda for Wellness.” Dr. Shanbhag is Medical Director of a team of six health care practitioners at AYU Natural Medical Clinic, Seattle. His clinic, teaching and research experience spans over sixteen years. He is director of AYU Academy and author of Beginners Introduction to Ayurveda. During 1991-96, he was Chairman of Ayurvedic Medicine Department at Bastyr University of Naturopathic Medicine, Seattle. During 1985-88, he was head of Institute of Research in Ayurvedic Medicine, Poona, India. Dr. Shanbhag’s 14 years of Ayurvedic and Naturopathic clinical training includes Ayurvedic graduation (BAMS) at Karnataka University, post-graduation (MD-Ayurved) at Poona University and Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND) at Bastyr University. Dr. Shanbhag was awarded the prestigious I.I.M. Gold Medal for his MD- Ayurved research thesis. Dr. Shanbhag is an Adjunct Professor at Hindu University.

In his talk, Dr. Shanbhag explained that according to Ayurveda, health is a participatory ongoing process of achieving and maintaining dynamic balance in all aspects of life through means of comprehensive natural therapies customized to suit the individual’s psychosomatic constitution and the current imbalance if any. The goal of this process is not only to heal disease and to reestablish balance, but also to prevent disease and to promote positive health.

What makes Ayurveda special?

• It respects the uniqueness of the individual,
• It considers all levels of the individual,
• It offers natural ways of treating diseases and promoting health,
• It emphasizes prevention, and
• It empowers everyone to take responsibility for their own well-being.

The science of Ayurveda is based on recognition of the three types of bio-energies or doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Dr. Shanbhag explained how to recognize the dosha type of an individual, and how this recognition can help us in building up the positive health and preventing diseases.

A section of audience at the Ayurveda event

The joint Master’s degree program in Ayurvedic Sciences consists of the following components:

• 15 academic credits of courses in Ayurvedic medicine,
• Two courses on Sanskrit and Ayurvedic philosophy (Principles of Hinduism)
• Thesis research report (12 credits), and
• Practice (10 credits).