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History
Hindu University of
America was incorporated in the State of Florida in 1989.
It started offering classes in October 1993. Many prominent
people were approached for their advice, guidance and blessings.
A large number of well wishers contributed during the development
concept. Initially, the university operated out of temporary
offices in Orlando (Florida) and then from Tarpon Springs
(Florida) area. In 2000, the university acquired a 9.7 acre
property with two buildings on it. The buildings were renovated
and turned into offices, class rooms, a library and a residential
facility. The university received an additional donation
of the adjacent property of 2.5 acres from Edith and Robert
Grimm. In 2004, a part of the land was cleared to add roads,
a parking lot, Library, Class Rooms, Yoga & Mediation
Hall, recreation area, residential complex.
A number of academic
programs have been developed for HU students. The first
full time residential faculty was added beginning August
2002, another two in late 2003 and early 2004. A large number
of adjunct faculty members and visiting faculty have supported
growth of the various academic programs from throughout
the USA, Canada and other countries. A number of collaborative
efforts with other institutions have been established to
compliment the offerings of HU. The list continues to grow.
The very first extension center of HU was established in
2002 in Bangalore, India. The first batch of fourteen graduates
came out of that Extension Center in December 2003. Another
extension center has been added in Indore, India.
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Nature & Purpose
Hindu University (HU)
of America is an educational institution established to
serve mainly people of North America by providing a unique
dimension in learning and growth. It is a broad-based institution
providing many thought provoking insights into all aspects
that encompass human existence. The unique insights are
derived from the age old accumulated systems of knowledge
and practices from what is popularly known as Sanatan, Vedic
thought, tradition and culture. The word “Hindu”
in the name of this university signifies an all inclusive
and acceptable term by which people adhering to the traditions
of rich Bharat, i.e. India, settled anywhere in the world,
associate and are called by others. It is not the intent
of the university to promote any one aspect or any one view
or any one practice over the others. HU strives to present
all that is authentically available under such broad terms
as Hindu, Vedic, Sanatan, and other similar names or under
specific terminology such as Saivism , Vai??aivism, Buddhism,
Jainism, and Sikhism etc. Thus the words “Hindu”
and “Hinduism” as used in the university’s
name and its various documents, have the broadest possible
connotation.
The primary purpose
of the university is to fulfill an ever increasing demand
and thirst in the West, as well as in the rest of the world,
to learn from what Hinduism and its various systems have
to offer in a rigorous, healthy and authentic way. There
has been a long felt need for such an institution in the
West, and this university meets this pent-up demand..
In its broad scope
the university provides Hindu perspectives on the existing
frameworks of human endeavors in the fields such as religion
and spirituality, natural and social sciences, political,
economic, educational activities, arts and literature and
so on.
The university is also
meant to provide everyone with a place to look for guidance
in understanding difficult issues of the modern global society
by examining, researching and studying culture, languages
and literature, Yoga, Ayurveda, Jyoti?h, music and spiritual
disciplines.
Hindu University welcomes
all qualified students seeking to learn from highly qualified
faculty in different areas of studies. Student will find
IVHU to be an excellent source to get an enhanced understanding
of their own heritage and identity.
The university provides
opportunities at various levels of study. It offers Master’s
and Doctoral programs to those who hold at least a Bachelor’s
Degree. It offers Diploma and Advanced Diploma, and Fellow
programs in select disciplines to all including those who
do not hold a Bachelor’s Degree but have a requisite
background otherwise. It also offers seminars, workshops
and intensive courses, varying from a few hours to few days,
to all who want to learn and grow without enrolling in any
specific degree program. The university undertakes research
in areas of its interest. It establishes collaborations
with institutions world wide with similar objectives and
mission.
The university develops
views and articulates them, shedding light on contemporary
issues of national and international importance. Other educational
institutions, policy making bodies and media will find the
university a rich source of information.
The university is
guided by its mission to provide each student with a liberal
education, which unfolds an unlimited potential within the
individual. Students of HU become citizens of the world
shaped in universal values and oriented towards a complete
life.
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Hinduism
It is rather well known
that Hinduism is a highly philosophical religious tradition
with universal outlook, appeal and values. It is the 'Religion
of Man' to borrow a term from Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath
Tagore. Called 'Vedic' and ‘Veda’ meaning knowledge,
the foundations of Hindu tradition are truly knowledge based.
Hinduism is repository
of a large mass of knowledge base in secular and sacred
disciplines of human knowledge - language, literature, grammar,
sciences, health sciences, mathematics, humanities, social
sciences, political thought, state-craft, philosophy, religion,
etc. This system has the unique privilege of building perfect
harmony amongst apparently conflicting things. - secular
versus sacred, science verses religion, etc.
Although Hindu traditions,
in their origin, are identified with India, Hindu interactions
with and influences over other societies and traditions
in the world can be seen throughout the human history. There
have been universities - Takshila, Nalanda, Kashi, Koshambi,
Kapilvastu, and others, in ancient India that were the seats
of highest learning and research. These universities produced
world scholars, like Panini, Kautliya and Varah Mihir, Kalidas,
Abhinav Gupta, whose works are greatly reckoned and attracted
students from all over the world then. In the present
phase, Hindus are spread almost all over the world. In USA
they are a group of intellectuals, academics, researchers,
doctors, professionals, industrialists, businessmen, engineers,
IT-professionals, venture capitalists, etc. Many Hindu ashrams
and traditions like yoga are well known to people all over
the world. Hinduism is a living religion with its
own distinctive features and contributions, much for service
of man today.
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Mission
The mission of the
Hindu University of America is to provide for learning,
research and training in a broad spectrum of topics related
to the Hindu/Vedic culture including religions, philosophies,
practices and other related areas. The University aims to
promote the universality of Hinduism, and to establish harmony
among Eastern religious thoughts and modern sciences and
technologies, thereby contributing to better human understanding
and global peace.
The University is committed
to a comprehensive and liberal education with a broad curriculum
at baccalaureate, master and doctoral levels in various
areas related to Hindu religions, philosophies and culture
providing the students with a practical Vedic base for their
spiritual growth.
The University fulfills
the growing needs of modern western society to obtain authentic
and unbiased understanding of the vast and rich heritage
of Hindu culture, traditions, and philosophy.
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Accreditations & Affiliations
Hindu
University has been awarded full accreditation by the
National Private Schools Accreditation Alliance (NPSAA).
HU has been enjoying various
levels of business relationships with a number of institutions.
The number of institutions with which HU has some level
of affiliation has grown over the years and more affiliations
are being formed.
Right from its inception,
HU has affiliated with the following two institutions:
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Hindu Society of Central Florida, based
in Orlando, Florida
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Hindu Temple Society of Florida, based
in Tampa, Florida.
In addition to the above,
HU enjoys the excellent business relationship with the following
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SVYASA (Bangalore, India) for the HU
Extension Center
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Schiller International University (Miami,
FL)
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Valencia Community College (Orlando,
FL)
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American Council of Vedic Astrology
(ACVA), Sedona, AZ
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European Institute of Vedic Studies
(EIVS - France)
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Florida International University (Miami,
FL)
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Amrit Yoga Institute (Salt Springs,
FL)
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Indian Council for Astrological Sciences
(ICAS)
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Ayurvedic Academy (Seattle, WA)
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