Due to practical practical training in preparation of Ayurvedic drugs, a large number of students will be motivated to do research
National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has directed the Ayurvedic colleges of the country to compulsorily create a Central Research Laboratory and an Animal Experimentation Laboratory. As per the rules of NCISM, the colleges will have to comply with the provisions specified under ‘Minimum Standards of Undergraduate Ayurveda Education’, in which Ayurveda graduates should have sound knowledge. Ashtanga Ayurveda With the contemporary advances in the field of Ayurveda, supplemented with the knowledge of scientific and technological advances in modern science so that Ayurveda becomes a hybrid system of health care, encompassing the salient features of all the fields. In order to make the research methodology qualitative in nature, NCISM is also training postgraduate teachers in ‘Scientific Writing and Publication Ethics’.
Speaking to Education Times, Sanjeev Sharmathe director, National Institute of AyurvedaJaipur, says, “This decision of NCISM will expand the research ecosystem within the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Most of the Ayurvedic colleges have a central research laboratory and some of them which do not have such facilities will compulsorily need to create infrastructure for setting up research laboratories. There is a need to establish animal houses in the campus of each college along with laboratories if the research ecosystem is to grow qualitatively. There are three levels of research laboratories: basic level laboratories, mid level laboratories and advanced laboratories. In order to enhance the credibility of research in Ayurveda, NCISM has mandated setting up of Central Research Laboratories and Animal Experimentation Laboratory. We have already set up an advanced animal house and drug discovery development unit at our institute.”
“In the beginning, the area of ayurvedic medicine Was struggling but now due to increasing awareness among students and teachers good quality research publications are getting published. During the COVID pandemic, several studies were conducted by Ayurvedic students to develop new remedial methods through Ayurveda. Presently 50 research projects related to animal experiments are going on in our animal house. In addition, our students are enrolled in a number of research programs. We also have Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) National Innovation Research Foundation ,NIRF), Academy of Scientific and Innovation Research (ACSIR) and various State Medical Colleges. An e-learning program has been launched for the students and meaningful learning workshops, seminars, conferences and webinars are organized to train the students in various areas of Ayurveda.
“High-end simulation labs and virtual simulation labs have also been set up to provide a conducive research environment to the students,” says Sharma.
Yamini B Tripathi, Former Dean, Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) says, “Establishment of research laboratories and animal experimental laboratories is essential for the development of Ayurveda. However, to ensure that students get the right guidance while doing their research, there are good programs like PhD in Biochemistry, Zoology and Chemistry. Mentors with academic credentials are required to lead these laboratories. Students pursuing MD in Ayurveda will now compulsorily have to publish at least one research paper. This research published in any peer reviewed journal on principles of Ayurvedic medicine The papers are essential for their scientific validation at the international level.
National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has directed the Ayurvedic colleges of the country to compulsorily create a Central Research Laboratory and an Animal Experimentation Laboratory. As per the rules of NCISM, the colleges will have to comply with the provisions specified under ‘Minimum Standards of Undergraduate Ayurveda Education’, in which Ayurveda graduates should have sound knowledge. Ashtanga Ayurveda With the contemporary advances in the field of Ayurveda, supplemented with the knowledge of scientific and technological advances in modern science so that Ayurveda becomes a hybrid system of health care, encompassing the salient features of all the fields. In order to make the research methodology qualitative in nature, NCISM is also training postgraduate teachers in ‘Scientific Writing and Publication Ethics’.
Speaking to Education Times, Sanjeev Sharmathe director, National Institute of AyurvedaJaipur, says, “This decision of NCISM will expand the research ecosystem within the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Most of the Ayurvedic colleges have a central research laboratory and some of them which do not have such facilities will compulsorily need to create infrastructure for setting up research laboratories. There is a need to establish animal houses in the campus of each college along with laboratories if the research ecosystem is to grow qualitatively. There are three levels of research laboratories: basic level laboratories, mid level laboratories and advanced laboratories. In order to enhance the credibility of research in Ayurveda, NCISM has mandated setting up of Central Research Laboratories and Animal Experimentation Laboratory. We have already set up an advanced animal house and drug discovery development unit at our institute.”
“In the beginning, the area of ayurvedic medicine Was struggling but now due to increasing awareness among students and teachers good quality research publications are getting published. During the COVID pandemic, several studies were conducted by Ayurvedic students to develop new remedial methods through Ayurveda. Presently 50 research projects related to animal experiments are going on in our animal house. In addition, our students are enrolled in a number of research programs. We also have Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) National Innovation Research Foundation ,NIRF), Academy of Scientific and Innovation Research (ACSIR) and various State Medical Colleges. An e-learning program has been launched for the students and meaningful learning workshops, seminars, conferences and webinars are organized to train the students in various areas of Ayurveda.
“High-end simulation labs and virtual simulation labs have also been set up to provide a conducive research environment to the students,” says Sharma.
Yamini B Tripathi, Former Dean, Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) says, “Establishment of research laboratories and animal experimental laboratories is essential for the development of Ayurveda. However, to ensure that students get the right guidance while doing their research, there are good programs like PhD in Biochemistry, Zoology and Chemistry. Mentors with academic credentials are required to lead these laboratories. Students pursuing MD in Ayurveda will now compulsorily have to publish at least one research paper. This research published in any peer reviewed journal on principles of Ayurvedic medicine The papers are essential for their scientific validation at the international level.