It would not be an exaggeration to state that despite the consistent advance of western medicine, affordable and effective health care is still beyond the reach of vast sections of the world’s population, particularly those residing in developing world. A few decades ago, it was generally assumed by the scientific community that medicinal plants, homoeopathic doses, acupuncture needles, yoga etc, could be safely relegated to no more than a footnote of medical history. But this assumption has indeed turned out to be a very premature one. During the past two decades, the upsurge in herbology, acupressure, acupuncture and yoga etc. across the world has been phenomenal. This renewal interest has generated an international awareness on the richness and importance of the subject. It is to cater to this interest and the need for trained practitioners in the field of alternative medicines that the Open International University for Alternative Medicines offers a variety of multi level courses in alternative medicines.

Established under the Charter of the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines, the Open International University, through the Indian Institute of Alternative Medicines, it’s leading educational academy, offers a high standard of academic programmes, via regular classes and means of distance education, in the various alternative therapies. With a past and present student strength of around 60,000, the University’s courses – diploma, degree and post graduate on acupressure, acupuncture, aroma therapy, biochemic medicines, indo allopathy, electro homoeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, reiki etc. are pursued in increasing number by students from all over the country and worldwide.

The syllabus of the various courses of the university are as per standard of and based on the syllabus prescribed by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of India and various other national and international universities. The lessons provided by the Institute are written in simple and lucid fashion so that they can be followed by beginners as well as experienced practitioners.

The courses are of great practical relevance to one and all. They enable one to maintain his or her health, reduce medical bill by following simple and cost effective procedures/remedies and render medical service.

Through its courses, the university offers one the opportunity to earn whilst serving ailing humanity using benign and cost effective methods of healing. They are an ideal springboard to the world of alternative medicines allowing one to be an active participant in its development and proliferation. Besides lay people, doctors of established system such as allopathy, homeopathy, ayurveda, unani, and siddha can supplement and expand their knowledge through the study of various alternative therapies, which is precisely what these courses provide. Through the judicious and conscientious integration of alternative practices, they can obtain better results and break the limitations imposed by any single or particular.

The university places equal emphasis on its distance education programmes as it does on its regular classes. Distance education allows students from all over the world to pursue these courses and receive accepted certification on its completion. Besides, education by means of correspondence has its own advantages, particularly for working people or those with other preoccupations, as the students can study at their own pace and in their own environment, thus making it a very convenient process.

An annual convocation is held by the university at which its students are presented their diplomas and degrees by dignitaries and outstanding students are commended for their performances with medals and awards.