at Pune University, Faculty of Ayurved (Pune, India)
Six Week and Twelve Week Programs

Next: January 12 to February 20 2009 (6-week) or
January 12 to April 3 2009 (12-week)

The National Institute Of Ayurvedic Medicine offers students the opportunity for advanced study with several of India’s most venerated teachers of Ayurvedic Medicine. Our faculty includes full professors of Ayurveda, the current Dean, Faculty of Ayurved (Pune University), the current Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Panchakarma (Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya), and other carefully selected senior members of the Pune Ayurvedic academic community. All faculty members have extensive experience in teaching to both Indian and foreign students at both the professional and lay levels.

This is an extraordinary and unsurpassed educational opportunity for the serious student of Ayurveda.

What This Program Is Not

This program is not the full five and one half year BAMS degree program. Although it cannot cover every Ayurvedic subject, is a shortened selection of important selected topics which are covered in depth.

Although shortened, these six- and twelve week programs are not watered-down, simplified programs but rather include some of the same material covered in the curriculum for all Ayurvedic medical students. Dr. Gerson has studied Ayurveda for most of his adult life throughout India. He knows the expectations of the Western student, what constitutes a valuable educational experience, and what does not.

Nor is this program a money-making scheme aimed at providing a cursory introduction to only the most basic and common Ayurvedic principles while charging a king’s ransom. This is not an “Ayurvedic Tour” put together by a commercial group, cosmetologist or chiropractor but rather an effort by a group of Ayurvedic professors, experienced vaidyas, and research scientists who want to carefully convey a devout body of knowledge which they have found to be so enlightening and valuable to mankind.

What This Program Is

What this program represents is a response. A response to the many requests we have received over the years, mainly from physicians, who know some of the theoretical principles of Ayurveda and now desire a more detailed and practical Ayurvedic education. While a full Ayurvedic education requires at least five years, most who contact us cannot commit this amount of time away from their careers and families. This program, then, is our genuine and practical response to the situation. These short programs cannot teach you everything. What they are designed to do is to augment your book knowledge and complement it with selected key aspects of practical Ayurvedic training.

This program is Dr. Gerson’s way of beginning to give back. He has carefully questioned if he could offer a truly authentic and meaningful educational experience in a condensed period of time. He has met this challenge by painstakingly developing a specific curriculum for this purpose and by choosing for instructors, not his cronies, but men and women of superior knowledge and teaching ability. He has approached this Program as if he were the student again—in search of a deep understanding of Ayurveda. The purity and integrity from which this program arises will no doubt manifest and be known in the experience of the students.

Finally, this program is conducted under the auspices of The University of Pune Faculty of Ayurved. Each lecture has been critically reviewed by University designees and meet the academic standards set forth by the Department of Ayurved. The University of Pune insignia appears on the Certificate granted upon completion of the program and passing grade of the final examination.

Outline of Six-Week Curriculum

Main Features of the Program

Depending on the length of time a student chooses for his/her program, the material will be modified accordingly. Students may currently choose Program durations of either six or twelve weeks. Dr. Gerson is committed to providing an authentic Ayurvedic education for those dedicated and earnest about learning the principles and practice of Ayurvedic Medicine. Longer periods of study may become available in the future.

The Ayurvedic Studies Certificate Program is described below.

• The Program will commence in mid-January--January 12, 2009--and continue through mid-February--ending February 20, 2009--(six week program) or early April--ending April 3 (twelve week program).
• Students will spend approximately eight hours per week in lectures and participate in approximately ten to twelve hours each week in clinical training at one of several Ayurvedic hospitals and clinics.
  
• Lectures will be conducted Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday are free for study and the enjoyment of Pune’s many attractions. Pune has a vibrant cultural heritage as well as being very comfortable for Westerners visiting India for the first time. There are several world-renowned Yoga Centers nearby, musical performances, theater, excellent restaurants, and an astounding variety of interesting places to visit.
  
• As part of the Program, each student is given the opportunity to receive one personal medical consultation with Dr. P.H. Kulkarni, the senior Ayurvedic figure in all of Pune. Dr. Kulkarni is the father figure, academic guide, and Guru of many professors who teach and practice Ayurveda in the city. This is an opportunity to enhance your experience by applying Ayurvedic treatments to yourself. If additional consultations with Dr. Kulkarni are desired, there is a small additional fee for each office visit.
  
• A maximum of twelve students will be selected to participate in the Program.
• If less than six students register for either the six-week or the twelve-week program, that specific Program will be cancelled for that academic year and any fees paid will be fully refunded.
  
• Tuition for the NIAM Ayurvedic Studies Certificate Program is as follows:
  Six-Week Program: $US 1850
  Twelve-Week Program: $US 3400
  There is also an obligatory $US 300 University Foreign Student Registration Fee payable at the time of registration
• In addition, students will be responsible for their own:
  
  Roundtrip airfare (approx. $1200)
  
  Accomodations (see below)
  
  Meals (very inexpensive; may be included with some of the room packages)
  
  Textbooks (There are no compulsory texts. Students will take classnotes. However, Pune has two of the very best Ayurvedic medicine bookstores in the world and you may want to purchase books)
  
  Ayurvedic Medicines prescribed as part of their medical consultation.
  
  Any additional Ayurvedic treatments which you decide to have (e.g. massage, shirodhara, yoga tutorials, etc)
• Upon completion of the Program, students will be granted a Certificate of Completion which signifies their training in specific noted aspects of Ayurveda.
• Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Application Review Board, which includes:
  Dr. V.V. Doiphode, Dean, Faculty of Ayurved, Pune University
  Scott Gerson, M.D., Ph.D. (Ayu), Director, The National Institute Of Ayurvedic Medicine
  Dr. Professor S.V. Deshpande, HOD, Kayachikitsa and Panchakarma, TAMV
• Preference will be given to the following individuals:
  Applicants who have completed the NIAM Correspondence Course
  Applicants who hold one of the following professional degrees: M.D., M.B.B.S., D.O., D.C., R.N., P.A., R.D., P.T.
  Applicants who hold one of the following para-professional degrees: LMT, L.A.C., M.S., O.T.
  Applicants who can provide evidence of study and understanding of the basic concepts of Ayurvedic Medicine.
• Accommodations in Pune can be arranged at several different price ranges from extremely luxurious four-star hotel accommodations (approx. $75/night) to simpler but very comfortable two-star rooms (approx. $150-200/week). Interested students will be given complete details when they apply.

  If you wish further information or assistance please contact Rakesh Sharma, NIAM Administrator at ayurveda@niam.com or call (845) 278-8700.

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