Nepal is all set to establish a new university focussing on
Ayurvedic study and research as part of promoting the ancient health care
tradition being practised in the Himalayan country for centuries.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology recently
registered the ‘Yogmaya Ayurveda University Bill’ at the National Assembly.
Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel said the initiative
will also help in producing skilled human resources in Ayurvedic practice.
The Bidushi Yogmaya Ayurveda University will facilitate integrated
teaching besides medicine research and development. It will also make ayurveda
education timely and relevant.
As per the bill, the university may operate schools on
Ayurveda, Ayurveda nursing, medicinal plants, yoga education and natural medicines.
It is also allowed to establish and operate teaching hospital in accordance
with the standards set by the Nepal Ayurvedic Medical Council. The university
may grant scholarship to meritorious and poor students.
The government has allocated Rs 100 million in the budget for
the current fiscal year for formation of the university. Currently, the Nepal
Sanskrit University offers various courses in Ayurveda.
A programme has been also incorporated in the budget
statement to make arrangements for providing health services by integrating alternative
medical practices such as ayurveda, homeopathy, acupuncture, sowa rigpa and
naturopathy with the allopathic medicine.
Nepal is rich in terms of various medicinal herbs and
traditional medical practices.
