In a major push to strengthen cooperative education and capacity building in India, the foundation stone for the new academic building of Tribhuvan Sahkari University was laid at the campus of Institute of Rural Management Anand. The Bhoomi Poojan ceremony marks a significant milestone in the development of India’s first national-level cooperative university under the aegis of the Ministry of Cooperation.
The ceremony was led by Vice Chancellor Dr J.M. Vyas in the presence of prominent dignitaries including Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of National Dairy Development Board; Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Amul; and Dr Saswata Narayan Biswas, Director of IRMA. The event also featured a symbolic tree plantation, underlining the institution’s commitment to sustainability alongside academic expansion.
Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU), recently established as an institution of national importance, is envisioned as a hub for cooperative education, research, and policy development.
TSU seeks to professionalise the cooperative sector by offering specialised academic programmes, training, and leadership development tailored to the needs of cooperatives across agriculture, dairy, banking, and rural industries.
The university draws inspiration from India’s long-standing cooperative movement, which has played a transformative role in sectors such as dairy, credit, fertilisers, and rural development.
Institutions like IRMA have historically contributed to building managerial capacity for cooperatives, and the establishment of TSU is expected to further strengthen this ecosystem by creating a dedicated academic and research framework.
Officials noted that TSU will focus on multidisciplinary learning, integrating management, technology, governance, and grassroots development. It is also expected to collaborate with leading cooperative organisations and global institutions to bring best practices and innovation into the sector. The university will cater to students, professionals, and cooperative leaders, thereby bridging the gap between theory and field-level implementation.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (prosperity through cooperation), aimed at revitalising and modernising the cooperative sector. By investing in education and capacity building, TSU is poised to become a cornerstone institution in shaping the future of India’s cooperative movement.
The foundation-laying ceremony at IRMA signifies not just the construction of a new academic building, but the beginning of a transformative phase in cooperative education in India.
