The 15-day Transitional Curriculum Programme – “Bhishagaytanam” for First Professional BAMS students was successfully organized by Ayurvedic College and Hospital, RK University from 4th to 22nd November, with its inauguration on 4th November. This curriculum aimed on bridging the gap between diverse 10+2 backgrounds and the complex, Sanskrit-heavy BAMS syllabus, providing essential foundational orientation, language skills (Sanskrit), and acclimatization to institutional culture and Ayurvedic principles, ensuring smooth integration and success for new students entering the traditional yet modern medical field. Various sessions under different themes were conducted by resource persons from Ayurvedic College & Hospital and various RKU schools, and external Ayurveda institutions and hospitals. The details as follows,

1. Institutional Orientation & Campus Integration

Key Themes: Institutional identity, academic structure, campus rules, support systems.

Sessions & Resource Persons :

• Know Your College – Dr. Manoj Pande, Director, ACH, RKU
• Academic Orientation – Dr. Niketa Soni, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Kriya Sharir
• Administrative Structure & Discipline – Dr. Shivangi Malaviya, Associate Professor, Dept. of Agadatantra
• Overview of Curriculum – Dr. Niketa Soni, Assistant Professor
• Orientation on University Committees (SOAC, ICC, NCC) – Mrs. Bhavana Patel, Head SOAC & ICC Chairperson
• Library Orientation – Dr. Bhargav Mehta, Associate Professor, Dept. of Kaumarabhritya & Mr. Jagdishbhai, Librarian

2. Foundations of Ayurveda – Philosophy, History & Literature

Key Themes: Ayurvedic principles, Darshana, classical texts, global scope.

Sessions & Resource Persons:

• Basic Principles & Tri Sutra – Dr. Adityarajsinh Jadeja, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Roganidana
• Introduction & History of Ayurveda – Dr. Vedanti Pandya, Assistant Professor, Samhita Siddhanta
• Ashtanga Ayurveda – Dr. Ashwini A, Associate Professor, Samhita Siddhanta
• Padartha Vigyana & Tantrayukti – Dr. Ashwini A, Associate Professor
• Darshanas – Dr. Avinash Kanasagara, Associate Professor, Samhita Siddhanta (Sanskrit)
• Bruhatrayi Overview – Dr. Vedanti Pandya, Assistant Professor
• Laghutrayi & Ashtanga Hridaya – Dr. Avinash Kanasagara, Associate Professor
• Glory of Ayurveda – Dr. Gaurang Joshi, Director, Atharva Multispeciality Ayurveda Hospital, Rajkot

3. Sanskrit Orientation & Language Foundation

Key Themes: Devanagari basics, pronunciation, grammar, chandas, terminology.

Sessions & Resource Persons: Total 8 sessions were conduted by Dr. Avinash Kanasagara, Associate Professor, Samhita Siddhanta (Sanskrit), session mainly

• Alphabet & Pronunciation
• Spoken Sanskrit / Terminology
• Grammar (Noun/Verb drills)
• Chandas & Recitation

4. Clinical & Pre-Clinical Foundations

Key Themes: Anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical discipline, emergency skills.

Sessions & Resource Persons:

• Rachana Sharira Orientation – Dr. Hemant Bamane, Associate Professor
• Kriya Sharir Orientation – Dr. Bhavin Dubal, Associate Professor
• Dosha–Dhatu–Mala – Dr. Niketa Soni, Assistant Professor
• Nidana Panchaka – Dr. Arunraj, Associate Professor, Roganidana
• BLS Training – Dr. Parth Devmurari, Associate Professor, School of Physiotherapy
• First Aid Training – Dr. Sreekanth P, Assistant Professor, Shalyatantra

5. Personal, Ethical & Professional Development

Key Themes: Professional ethics, life skills, soft skills, self-reflection, discipline.

Sessions & Resource Persons:

• Ayurveda & Me – Dr. Ravikumar, Assistant Professor, Rachana Sharir
• Soft Skills & Empathy – Prof. Mansi Patadiya, Assistant Professor, School of Management
• Time Management skills - Prof. Hitesh Manek, Assistant Professor, School of Management
• Goal Setting – Prof. Priyanka Suchak, Associate Professor, School of Management
• Sadvritta & Ethics – Dr. Divya R, Associate Professor, Swasthavritta
• Good Vaidya (Charaka’s View) – Dr. Shreekant Mundada, Associate Professor, Kayachikitsa
• Ayurveda in Media – Dr. Hetal Ramani, Assistant Professor, Panchakarma
• Pride in Becoming a Healer – Dr. Vishakha Kheradiya, Assistant Professor, Panchakarma

6. Public Health, Community Exposure & AYUSH Systems

Key Themes: Public health mission, national health programmes, Ayurveda’s societal role.

Sessions & Resource Persons:

• Public Health & Community Ayurveda – Dr. Divya R, Associate Professor
• National Health Programmes – Dr. Bhargav Mehta, Associate Professor
• Environmental Hygiene & Janapadodhwamsa – Dr. Divya R, Associate Professor
• Tobacco Control Programme – Dr. Nimmi A N, Assistant Professor, Swasthavritta
• Village Outreach (Arogya Mitra Abhiyan) – Dr. Ketan Bhimani, Professor & HOD Panchakarma; Dr. Bhavin Dubal, Associate Professor; Dr. Akhila, Assistant Professor

7. Technology Integration, Digital Literacy & Biomedical Safety

Key Themes: Digital tools, AI in medicine, ICT skills, safety norms.

Sessions & Resource Persons:

• AI in Diagnostics & Academics – Dr. Amit Sharma, Director, School of Physiotherapy
• Digital Competence (MS Office, PPT) – Prof. Chhaya Patel, Asst. Professor, School of Engineering
• LMS & Digital Literacy – Prof. Alpa Makwana, Asst. Professor, School of Engineering
• Biomedical Waste Management – Dr. Parth Vyas, Medical Officer, ACH
• Digital Toxicity – Dr. Pankaj Bhange, Professor & HOD, Agadatantra

8. Mental Well-being, Yoga & Mindfulness

Key Themes: Triguna theory, yoga, meditation, emotional intelligence.

Sessions & Resource Persons:

• Triguna & Emotional Intelligence – Ms. Bela Varsani, Vipassana Centre
• Ritucharya & Dinacharya – Dr. Nimmi A N, Assistant Professor
• Concept of Ānanda – BK Vidhi, Rajyog Meditation Teacher
• Ashtanga Yoga & Holistic Living – Dr. Divya R, Associate Professor
• Ayurveda Psychology – Dr. Ruksar Piparvadiya, Associate Professor, Kayachikitsa

9. Career Guidance, Entrepreneurship & Future Pathways

Key Themes: Higher studies, research, entrepreneurship, motivation.

essions & Resource Persons:

• Higher Education Options – Dr. Ragesh T, Professor & HOD, Roganidana
• Ayurveda Entrepreneurship – Dr. Rohitkrishnan G B, Associate Professor, RSBK
• Nation Building & Ayurveda – Dr. Manoj Runghe, Professor, IIA&R
• Ayurveda as Soft Power – Dr. Nimmi A N, Assistant Professor
• Inspirational Talks –
  Dr. Alpesh Sorathiya, Principal, Murlidhar Ayurved College
  Dr. Shreyas Bhalodiya, Principal, Global Institute of Ayurveda
  Dr. Himadree Vyas, Alumna & Consultant, Hitayu Ayurveda Clinic

10. Experiential Learning, Field Visits & Co-Curricular Activities

Key Themes: Hands-on learning, field visits, talent recognition, exposure.

Activities & Resource Persons:

• Herbal Garden Visit – Dr. Shweta, Dr. Swati, Dept. of Dravyaguna
• Pharmacy Visit – Dr. Jigar Vekariya, Asst. Professor, RSBK
• Hospital Visit – Dr. Yatri Narigara, Medical Officer
• Traffic Awareness Programme – RKU Team
• Talent Show – Dr. Vinita Sharma, Asst. Professor & Cultural Coordinator; Dr. Nimmi, SOAC Coordinator
• RKU Book Fair Visit – RKU Library Team

11. Spiritual & Cultural Integration

Key Themes: Havan, recitations, ethical oath, spiritual grounding.

Events & Resource Persons:

• Dhanvantari Havan – Coordinated by ACH Faculty Team
• Charaka Oath – Dr. Ashwini A, Associate Professor
• Stavan, Vandana & Cultural Performances – Student groups

Conclusion

The 16-day Transitional Curriculum Programme successfully introduced students to Ayurveda, institutional culture, clinical orientation, ethics, professional values, and community engagement. Resource persons from Ayurvedic College & Hospital and various RKU schools, and external Ayurveda institutions contributed to a holistic and well-rounded foundation for first-year BAMS learners.