High-level efforts promote rapid development

The India-China Yoga College, the first school in China dedicated to the popular activity, provides undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It is the first such institute to be jointly established by China and India, and is aimed at strengthening mutual relations via yoga.

The governments of the two countries took the establishment of the college very seriously, signing a memorandum of understanding on May 15, 2015. The event was also mentioned as item 21 in a joint statement made by the two governments in the same year.

The governments' joint efforts allowed the college to develop quickly. The Chinese government provided the budget for the first stage and also allocated extra funding to provide high-quality facilities.

The college explored methods of cooperation with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in India, and won support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indian government and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

In March 2016, Yunnan Minzu University signed a memorandum of understanding with India's Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana university for cooperation on yoga teaching and research.

Both sides have high expectations of the college, which is expected to act as a platform for cooperation on mutual Sino-Indian education and aid a range of initiatives.

In September 2017, the college enrolled its first batch of 40 undergraduates to study under the social sports guidance and management program. Last year, the number had risen to 60.

It plans to establish 50 branches and 100 teaching centers around China in the near future.

In December, the first branch was founded at Yunnan University's Tourism and Culture College.

Employing the services of professional instructors from China and India, the college is fitted with professional-level equipment for yoga teaching and training.

In terms of nonacademic tuition that is aimed at the diversified needs of society, the college offers training courses for both beginners and advanced participants.

It also offers free yoga classes for members of the public, and encourages people from all walks of life to participate in the discipline.