In a few dates, the main events in the history of Dr. Simone Hunziker and of Ayurveda – in Switzerland and internationally – that have made possible the existence of an academic concept of the dimension of MedVaidya.
Creation of a professional school for Ayurvéda in 2004, under Kalaguna-Sadhana, first Ayurveda center in French speaking Switzerland. Conceptualisation and coordination of programmes that will train more than 150 therapists and practitioners in Ayurveda.
Kalaguna-Sadhana professional school
@ VEVEY
Since 2005, Dr. Simone Hunziker, recognized expert and director of a leading pilot school, is a major activist in the process of regulation of Ayurveda in Switzerland. Under her presidency from 2008 to 2014, the ASMTA regulates Ayurveda under the aegis of the SEFRI, within the framework of new professions in complementary therapy and alternative medicine.
SEFRI – State Secretariat For Education, Research And Innovation
ASMTA – Swiss Association Of Practitioners And Therapists Of Ayurveda
Creation of a new structure and collaboration with India
In 2009, a new structure is created to consolidate the development of training courses, under the name SAMA – Swiss Ayurvedic Medical Academy. Working part-time in India, Dr. S. Hunziker will launch several close partnerships with major Indian institutions in order to develop a high-level clinical practice and training in ayurvedic medicine. SAMA is offering training seminars in India at the partner institutions.
SAMA – Swiss Ayurvedic Medical Academy
@ VEVEY
In early 2012, Dr. U. Indulal joins Dr. Simone Hunziker in the conception of a training program in Ayurveda medicine. Their common vision is to contribute to the promotion of Ayurveda as a medical system by an elite trained according to authentic principles and equipped to work in contemporary health systems. In order to provide Swiss and international students with access to a high level of training, they rely on Swiss regulations and WHO guidelines, as well as on reference institutions in India.
MedVaidya
@ VEVEY
@ COIMBATORE
After being nominated in 2009 as a member of the Steering Committee for the International Working Groups of Ayurveda (IWGA) by AYUSH, Dr. S. Hunziker and the ISA Foundation, created in 2013, do promote the Swiss regulatory model for the institutionalization of Ayurveda internationally. The model is recognized by the Indian gouvernement in 2016. In 2017, on the recommendation from AYUSH, Dr. Simone Hunziker becomes the first foreigner and the first woman to receive the high distinction from India for the promotion of Ayurveda, in the form of the Pandit Shive Sharma Oration & Award by IASTAM at Benares Hindu University. In 2018, she is nominated as an expert by WHO and as a Rapporteur for the editing of global guidelines by WHO during the two historic Working Group Meetings in India dedicated to the WHO benchmarks for training and clinical practice in Ayurveda.
AYUSH – Ministere Pour Les Medecines Traditionnelles De L’inde
IASTAM – International Association For The Study Of Traditional Asian Medicine
WHO – World Health Organisation
In 2015, after three years of preparation, the first batch of students for the MedVaidya training in Ayurveda medicine is launched. This professional training program prepares students for the federal diploma, allowing them to officially practice Ayurveda medicine in Switzerland and to be reimbursed by health insurance companies. it distinguished itself from other training programs in Europe by its density and volume, inspired by the university curriculum of ayurvedic medicine in India, as well as by its quest for authenticity and its close collaboration with India.
MedVaidya
@ VEVEY
@ COIMBATORE
Starting in the fall of 2018, as the first students reach the end of their training, an assessment of the pilot phase of the MedVaidya training is conducted. It concludes to the possibility of transmitting Ayurveda according to its authentic traditional principles, without shortcuts, while creating bridges towards the West and modernity. On this basis, important work is initiated to improve the structure of the academic concept and enrich its content. An innovative didactic and pedagogical approach – including the introduction of student assistance through mentoring and coaching or the use of state-of-the-art technological and computer tools – characterize the new MedVaidya training. It is spread over several modules covering Ayurveda and the foundations of modern medicine.
MedVaidya
@ VEVEY
@ COIMBATORE
The challenge of launching a class in the context of the global health scenario of Covid was taken up by the students and the school. While evolving at the pace of confinements and adaptation to the new program, the experience shows that the original vision and its development over time, as ambitious as they are, are achievable and bear the expected fruits in terms of quality, level, involvement and satisfaction.
MedVaidya
@ VEVEY
@ COIMBATORE
Starting in 2019, a working group, under the direction of Charles Elie Nicollerat, is working not only on the reform, consolidation and development of the MedVaidya training, but also on the creation of a school structure able to meet the challenges ahead. Thus, in a vision of integrative medicine, Charles Elie Nicollerat, Dr. Simone Hunziker and Dr. U. Indulal are co-founding SwissMed School in August 2021, with a new faculty of Ayurveda that will lead the MedVaidya training.
SwissMed School
@ LAUSANNE
@ COIMBATORE
As the new MedVaidya concept has proven itself and the health scenario is stabilizing, the SwissMed School announces the launching of two annual MedVaidya courses starting from 2023, with new leading partner institutions in India and in addition the possibility to join the program throughout the year. A flexible preparatory course that helps students to bridge the scientific, mental, linguistic and cultural gap, allows them a smooth start into the first year.
MedVaidya
@ LAUSANNE
@ COIMBATORE – BELAGAVI – SHORANUR – PUNE