Puducherry: Pondicherry University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of AYUSH, Puducherry, marking a significant step towards strengthening interdisciplinary research in traditional Indian healthcare systems.

The MoU, signed on June 9, aims to facilitate collaborative projects in research, curriculum enhancement, and validation of AYUSH practices—comprising Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. It also opens doors for departments across the university to engage with AYUSH professionals and access government funding for research.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. Prakash Babu said the collaboration would empower stakeholders to address pressing healthcare challenges, especially in light of rising antimicrobial resistance. “This alliance seeks to create scalable, alternative healthcare solutions that hold both national and global relevance,” he noted.

Director of AYUSH and CEO of the State Medicinal Plants Board, Dr. R. Sridharan, called the MoU a crucial bridge between scientific research and the practical application of traditional medicine. He pointed to various government initiatives designed to mainstream India's rich heritage of traditional healthcare systems.

Prof. S. Victor Anandkumar, Dean of International Relations at the university, termed the partnership a milestone for academic-government cooperation, stating it would foster cross-disciplinary learning.

Dr. V. Thillai Sekar, Associate Professor of Microbiology and coordinator for the MoU, said the agreement was the result of a year-long strategic dialogue. “This collaboration enables the fusion of traditional knowledge with modern scientific methodologies to explore new healthcare pathways,” he added.

The pact underlines the university's forward-looking approach in integrating traditional healthcare with academic and regulatory frameworks, aiming to strengthen the public health ecosystem.