AIIA, Western Sydney University launch joint academic chair in ayurveda

NEW DELHI : The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Western Sydney University announced the appointment of a joint academic chair in ayurveda. The new position aims to build capacity for the scientific validation of ayurvedic medicine and aligned inventions such as ayurveda herbal medicine, yoga and meditation.

Associate professor Shrikrishna Rajagopala from AIIA has been appointed as the academic chair in ayurvedic medicine through a competitive process. Associate professor Rajagopala is currently the head of the department of Khaumarabhritya (paediatric department) at AIIA.

The professor has 28 years of experience and expertise in clinical and pharmacological research of ayurveda interventions for asthma, cerebral palsy, COVID-19, anaemia and muscular dystrophy. In addition, Rajagopala has developed and led important international collaborations of the AIIA, including an agreement with Western Sydney University and clinical research on long COVID with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

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The Ministry of Ayush has established a programme for ayush academic chairs in foreign institutions to foster research collaboration and strengthen cultural ties. The Chair, which is jointly funded by the ministry and Western Sydney University, will be based at Western Sydney University’s NICM Health Research Institute.

“The Chair will provide leadership to develop collaborative research strategies to advance the scientific base of Ayurveda and promote the translation and integration of evidenced-based Ayurveda interventions into conventional healthcare,” said Professor Barney Glover AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University.

Professor Dr Tanuja Manoj Nesari, Director of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) said, “It is a matter of pride for us that the Ministry of Ayush has selected and debuted one of our senior faculty members, Associate Professor Rajagopala, as Chair for this important mission and we are sure that this initiative will pave new milestones in the India – Australia bilateral relationship through the efforts of the Ministry of Ayush in Globalization of Ayurveda for the benefit of mankind.”

The Academic Chair from the AIIA is the first of its kind to be established and will focus on fostering collaborative research projects, developing short and medium-term academic courses, providing tutorials to students, conducting sensitization programs, workshops and seminars and serving as a credible source of Ayush related information for Australia.