People : Dr Bhanu Prakash Joshi

Dr. Bhanu Prakash Joshi is a faculty member in Yoga and Human Consciousness Science, who has been successfully leading the Department of Yoga at Uttarakhand Open University since 2010. He holds an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Human Consciousness and Yogic Science from Dev Sanskriti University, Haridwar, and a B.Sc. in Biology from Kumaun University Campus, Almora.

He began his professional journey in 2004 as a Assistant Professor (Guest) at M.B. Government Post Graduate College, Haldwani, and later served as a guest lecturer in various colleges under Kumaun University. From 2010 to 2012, he served as Academic Counselor (Coordinator) at Uttarakhand Open University, after which he assumed the charge of Head of the Department of Yoga in 2012.

His academic and research specializations include Human Anatomy & Physiology, Yoga Philosophy, Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Psychology, Research Methodology, Shatkarmas, and Hatha Yoga. He has successfully conducted more than 150 ten-day Yoga workshops under the Department of Yoga. He has played a key role in curriculum development, self-learning material preparation, and editing for Certificate, Diploma, B.A. Yoga, M.A. Yoga, and Ph.D. Yoga programmes.

Within the university, he has efficiently handled several administrative responsibilities, including Assistant Controller of Examinations, Assistant Regional Director of Student Services, and In-charge of the Alumni Cell. He has also served as a member of Boards of Studies and Research Degree Committees at various institutions such as Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi; Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora; Kumaun University, Nainital, and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Delhi.

In terms of research guidance, he has supervised three Ph.D. scholars to completion and is currently guiding three more. He has overseen more than 100 dissertation projects of M.A./M.Sc. students at M.B. Government Post Graduate College, Haldwani. As an external examiner, he has been associated with several Ph.D. evaluation committees across various universities in India.

He has participated in nearly 100 national and international seminars and webinars. He has over 20 research papers to his credit and has contributed to the writing and editing of more than 35 self-learning material units for Uttarakhand Open University and other open universities in the country.

Dr. Joshi’s mission is to make Yoga education accessible to every section of society with a scientific foundation, and to establish its relevance in modern lifestyle. Owing to his dedicated efforts, the Department of Yoga at Uttarakhand Open University has earned a distinct recognition at the national level.