Speaking during a national webinar organized by NCUI, Jamia University VC Ms Najma Akhtar advocated the establishment of a Co-op University and said that cooperative universities will be better than traditional universities.
At a time when cooperatives are being neglected, setting up a cooperative university will fill a big void in the cooperative education system benefitting the members and the wider community. She further said that a cooperative university will give a big boost to social justice, cooperative principles and values.
Presided over by the NCUI President Dileep Sanghani, the webinar was attended by key representatives of the cooperative sector along with educationists, researchers and academicians working in the cooperative sector.
Dr Yashwant Dongre, Vice-Chancellor, Chanakya University, Bangalore in his keynote address said that ideally a cooperative university should be started by cooperatives, but in the changing scenario with the creation of a separate Ministry of Cooperation, a cooperative university may be set up by the government as a centre of excellence in which cooperative organizations may be the partners. He said that the cooperative university must assure jobs to the youth.
Dileep Sanghani, President, NCUI, Chairman, IFFCO in his presidential address said that setting up a Cooperative university is in accordance with the government’s thrust on ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi”. Sanghani said diplomas offered by cooperative training organizations are not valued much and thus setting up a Co-op University will go a long way in brightening job prospects for students.
GH Amin, former President, NCUI and Chairman, COBI said that as cooperatives have to compete in the market economy, they need to have a strong HR policy, for which the setting up of cooperative universities is pivotal.
Dr K.K. Tripathy, OSD to the Union Minister of Cooperation in his presentation highlighted the fact that at a time when there is a lack of quality research in the cooperative sector, the cooperative university will take up this field as its prime focus. He said that before setting up the university, a proper assessment needs to be made of the education and training needs of cooperative organizations.
Prof Shailendra from IRMA in his presentation said that the cooperative at a time when the study of cooperation is neglected in universities, setting up a cooperative university dedicated to the cause of cooperatives in accordance with cooperative principles and values is very important.
Ms Mallika Kumar, Associate Professor, Shriram College of Commerce in her presentation said that cooperative universities will bridge a knowledge gap in the field of cooperatives. She said that while the university should design innovative courses according to the needs of cooperatives, it must lay focus on experiential learning to attract youth to the cooperative sector.
Ms Palak, Research Manager, SEWA gave an overview of SEWA federation activities and said cooperative universities should aim to provide a platform for informal women workers.
Dr. Sudhir Mahajan, Chief Executive, NCUI in his opening remarks highlighted the new initiatives of NCUI like starting off the NCUI Haat, Incubation Centre, Entrepreneurship Development Cell, signing of MoUs with NIESBUD, Rainmatter Foundation of India, National Association of Street Vendors of India, training more than 7000 students under Coop Connect Program, etc. The webinar was coordinated and anchored by Sanjay Verma, Director, Pub/PR, NCUI