The Gujarat Ayurved University (GAU) and International Ayurveda Foundation (IAF) have entered into an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and popularise ayurveda internationally.

The MoU, signed a few weeks ago, is to ensure the growth and application of ayurveda in a manner, which is consistent with the foundational principles of ayurveda, and at the same time, documented and validated such that it sets to rest any doubts about the actual utility of ayurveda in creation of health. The MoU will help the two institutions to work complementing each other to fulfil the mutual interests in the resurgence of ayurveda as mainstream medical system in its own right.

Further, the two institutions will try to ensure globalisation and global recognition of ayurveda in its original form. The university will be benefited by the MOU in the form of getting support from various groups and stakeholders interested in ayurveda and secure their support to develop the infrastructure of GAU. IAF will help the university to standardise ayurveda education in India and abroad.

According to Praful Patel, general secretary, IAF "The MoU envisages to promote Ayurveda in its classical form by pursuing ethics and regulations in practice and production of standard, safe and efficacious drugs and formulations. Efforts will be made to evolve evidence based clinical data commensurate with ayurvedic principles and practices. IAF through its world wide chapters will focus its efforts in collaboration with GAU towards globalisation of ayurveda as an independent system of medicine and human health care through exchange of experts."

IAF India is affiliated with The International Ayurveda Foundation, headquartered in UK.

Sources said IAF India would open its offices at Jamnagar, with the administrative office at Mumbai. Soon more offices would be started in other states. The first Indian chapter was started recently in Gujarat. IAF, which has offices at London, Mumbai and Jamnagar, will soon open another office in Geneva, Switzerland to liaison with international organisations, NGOs, permanent mission's accredited to the United Nations in Geneva etc.