ABVP-JNU meets UGC Chairman, demands ayurveda biology as separate subject in UGC-NET

NEW DELHI: A delegation of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) unit of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) met the chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC). The delegation demanded inclusion of Ayurveda Biology as a separate subject in the UGC-NET, for Joint Research Fellowship (JRF) and issues related to recently introduced BSc, MSc courses in Ayurveda Biology at JNU.

BSc in Ayurveda Biology was introduced at JNU in 2020 to integrate ayurveda and medical biology and to create researchers in the field of ayurvedic pharmaceuticals. ABVP discussed the unique aspects of the course with the UGC chief.

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The delegation included ABVP-JNU unit secretary Vikas Patel, the student union’s Delhi state working committee member Manoj Uniyal, and students of Ayurveda Biology.

Patel said, “Ayurveda has metamorphosed into a multibillion-dollar industry. The students will immensely benefit from the increased employment opportunities. The UGC chairman assured the delegation that he would look into the matter and take needful steps.”

President of School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies Mukund said the five-year integrated BSc-MSc programme is a one-of-a-kind in the country and it aims to blend the ayurvedic principles with modern biology. The demand of making Ayurveda as a separate subject in the UGC-NET, JRF examination will enable the students to avail themselves of junior research fellowships and render them eligible to pursue various PhD programs across the country, he added.