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Wisdom glistening everywhere

It is with great pleasure that I am writing these few words as the Director, Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM), University of Colombo. In the present times, Indigenous Medicine has become indispensable because of its unique approach and the IIM remains one of the country’s traditional health care systems in the field of Medical education by maintaining high standards and values. The Institute of Indigenous Medicine is the one and only institute which teaches indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka and produce Ayurveda Medical doctors and Unani Medical doctors. Hence, the IIM provides a brilliant opportunity for our undergraduate students who enter the university to expand the knowledge and skills on indigenous medicine with hands on experience on Ayurveda system of medicine or Unani system of medicine. My prime objective is to establish the State-of-the-Art educational Institute in Ayurveda, Unani and traditional systems of medicine through conducting teaching and research to disseminate the knowledge to up lift the traditional medical systems in Sri Lanka. The IIM is committed to excellence in teaching and research in Ayurveda, Unani and Indigenous systems of medicine to reinforce the recognition of Indigenous Medicine, services related to Indigenous Medicine and public outreach globally. It is very important to know that once the degree program is completed successfully, students are given an exposure for a highly diverse and nourishing environment with clinically-based study programs as top-priority and therefore there is no competition for job market. The activities of the IIM are empowered through the skills and creativity of the academic staff members who have completed their postgraduate degrees in multi-disciplinary areas related to Indigenous Medicine. They offer quality services in teaching and research activities of the institutes. The research activities in Ayurveda and Unani systems of Medicine are been performed using new advances in science and technology to obtain global recognition for all the specialized areas in Indigenous Medicine. Therefore, the Institute has a dynamic, vibrant and highly stimulating clinical based teaching and research environment which is achieved through a blend of high quality academic staff members who are committed to disseminate knowledge in all the areas of Ayurveda and Unani systems of Medicine.  I have been witnessing the efforts of the staff members of the IIM towards the improvement of the health and overall wellness locally and within the international community. Our institute is committed to provide evidence-based quality education of Indigenous Medicine and we are proud to integrate use of advanced technology in academics to uplift the quality of standards of the IIM. This has been a motivation for many people to contribute for the change that we all want to see in our planet for a better way of being. Our institute is affiliated with the Ayurveda Teaching hospital Colombo to provide clinical based healthcare systems in a holistic way and students are given a clinical based exposure before complete their degrees. The teaching hospital is armed with consultants, expert physicians, surgeons and supporting staff, competent facilities like IPD services with around 15 wards, IPD services with Kayachikithsa Unit, Ayurveda Surgery unit, Ayurveda Gynecology and Pediatric units, and special OPD services with traditional medical units such as eye treatments, traditional orthopedic treatments and snake bite treatments, Yoga unit, and Korean Acupuncture and Physiotherapy unit. Ultimate goal of our institute is to produce knowledgeable skilled doctors in Ayurveda or Unani systems of Medicine. I am also proud of the status of our current students as well as the alumni. The institute also actively conducts various diploma courses, certificate courses and postgraduate diploma courses related to different disciplines in Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine.

 I welcome you all to this esteemed institute and wish well for your future aspirations!

Prof.Priyani A. Paranagama

Director.