IUC for yogic sciences to come up at S-VYASA university

An Inter-University Centre (IUC) for Yogic sciences will be set up at the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA) deemed-to-be University in Bengaluru.

The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry approved the establishment of the proposed body under the University Grants Commission on Thursday, with a budgetary outlay of about Rs 100 crore.

Achieving “standardisation” of yoga courses offered by various institutions across the country, research and providing inputs on evidence-based benefits of yoga will be the key mandate of the IUC.

It is also expected to “unearth” yoga techniques from Hindu scriptures and other ancient texts for their “adoption” in yogic practices “for the benefit of modern society,” an official said.

“I have sanctioned Inter-University Centre for Yoga in S-VYASA University in Bengaluru. #UGC accepted the recommendation of the committee appointed for this purpose,” HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted.

The move comes about a year after a committee, set up by the UGC, submitted “a feasibility report”.

The UGC panel was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's yoga coach H R Nagendra, who also happens to be the chancellor of the S-VYASA deemed-to-be University.

“The upcoming IUC would serve as a resource centre in the field of yogic sciences, catering to the academic and research interest of the institutions, faculty and students engaged in the field of yogic science,” an HRD ministry official said.

Growth engine

It will act as “a fulcrum” for the development and growth of yoga in the country and abroad.

The “broad functions” of this centre include the development of curriculum and textbooks for the teaching of yoga as well as resource books for the yoga teachers.

“It will also provide training and conduct continuous professional education programme, seminars and conferences in the field of yoga education,” the official added.