Dr. Suva Kanta Mohanty, a distinguished academician with over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership, has been appointed as the new Director of the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune.
He is set to assume charge today on Friday, succeeding Dr. Hema Yadav, whose tenure was marked by notable innovations in cooperative education and training.
Dr. Mohanty’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for India’s cooperative sector. With increased emphasis from the Ministry of Cooperation, under the leadership of Union Minister Amit Shah, on strengthening cooperative education and training, his leadership at VAMNICOM is expected to play a vital role.
The recent passage of a bill in Parliament to establish a national-level cooperative university, along with the proposed upgradation of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), signals a renewed national focus on capacity building in the cooperative space.
Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol recently underscored VAMNICOM’s key role in the upcoming university, emphasizing its importance in the evolving cooperative education landscape.
Mohanty served as the Director of the School of Management at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT University), Bhubaneswar before his deputation to the Vamnicom. He brings a rich academic background. He holds a PhD in Applied Economics and Marketing from the University of Reading, UK, under the prestigious GRiSP scholarship awarded by CGIAR.
Though Mohanty has not worked with cooperatives in the past, his close association with the rural economy and his stint at IRMA are said to help him learn the sector faster than expected.
His global exposure includes teaching and research assignments in India and the United States, enhancing his perspective on international academic practices.
Dr. Mohanty has previously held prominent positions including HDFC Chair Professor, Associate Professor, Chairperson of the Marketing Department, and Associate Dean at IRMA. His research interests span retailing, consumer behaviour, and services marketing.
His appointment to VAMNICOM, on a three-year contractual basis, is seen as a significant development for the institute and the broader cooperative movement in India. The sector remains hopeful that under his leadership, VAMNICOM will continue to expand its influence and remain a cornerstone of cooperative management training in the country.
Indian Cooperative joins the community in wishing Dr. Mohanty great success in his new role.
