Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH

Why in News?

The Ministry of AYUSH recently has rolled out several initiatives to foster the growth of Ayurveda products.

• It is a Central Sector Scheme for promotion of International Cooperation (IC Scheme) with the mandate to promote and strengthen awareness about Ayush Systems of Medicine.
• Objectives – To facilitate international promotion, development and recognition of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy).
• To foster interaction of stakeholders and market development at international level.
• To support international exchange of experts and information.
• To give boost to Ayush products/ services / education/ research/ training globally.
• To promote academics and research through establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries

At present 260 students from following 32 countries are taking Ayush education in different institutes under Ayush Fellowship Scheme.

AYUSH chairs

• Aim – To advance academic exchange, research, and public awareness of AYUSH, leading to its recognition & acceptance in the host country.
• Establishments – It results either from bilateral efforts or the willingness of a foreign institution to host the AYUSH Chair.
• A Chair MoU is then signed between the foreign university and an institute under the Ministry of Ayush.
• Subsequently, an AYUSH expert with the requisite qualification is selected.
• The Chair is then deputed to the foreign university.
• Responsibilities
  • Ministry of AYUSH – Provides the salary and travel costs
  • Host foreign university – Provides rent-free accommodation and local hospitality to the Chair.
• Duration – The chair is deputed initially for 1 year, and extendable up to 3^rd year.
• Functional academic AYUSH Chairs – Bangladesh, Australia, Mauritius, Latvia, and Malaysia.

Reference

PIB| Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH