A four member delegation under the aegis of National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF/N) headed by Ms. Om Devi Malla, Vice-Chair of NCF of Nepal and Board Member of International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) visited India recently to study the development of cooperative curriculum in the formal education system in India.
Om Devi Malla was accompanied by Dr. Diliraj Sharma, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Management of Tribhuvan University, Mr. Dipak Khadka, Under Secretary of Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation and Mr. Khilanath Dhamala, Officer of the Curriculum Development Centre in the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, Government of informs a press release issued by NCUI.
On the first day of the visit, the NCFIN team met with the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific team to acquaint themselves with the cooperative curriculum in Asia-Pacific Region, ICA-AP Regional Director Mr. Balu Iyar presented some examples of the formal cooperative education system run by different countries in the Asia Pacific Region.
On the second day, an interactive meeting with the delegation & NCUI officials was held on 21st May 2019 in NCUI, where N. Satya Narayana, Chief Executive of NCUI appreciated the efforts of the visiting Napalese delegation for giving due priority to preparation of cooperative curriculum in schools/colleges and universities in Nepal.
He hoped this would enable the youth to be actively involved in the functioning of the cooperative movement in Nepal.
Ms. Om Devi Malla, Vice-Chair, NCF/N expressed her happiness that NCUI & Mysore University are extending their whole-hearted support to NCF/N for introducing cooperative curriculum in the formal education system in Nepal. She also mentioned that the Government of Nepal has recognized cooperatives as one of the three pillars of national economy and set up a target of 25% share of cooperatives in the National GDP.
While briefing about the objectives of the study exposure visit to India, Dr. Diliraj Sharma, Professor and Dean of Tribhuvan University informed that concepts of cooperative management are mentioned briefly in the course curriculum of BBA & MBA courses in Tribhuvan University which has enrolled 4 lakh students at present.
Sharma expressed his keen desire to launch one year cooperative management course in the university as well as in other educational institutions in Nepal with the active support of the government. He, however, discussed the two major issues viz. lack of trained faculty and job placements which are the major challenges.
Ritesh Dey, Director (International Relations) of NCUI made a brief presentation on Indian Cooperative Movement and the role of NCUI with specific reference to youth and women in the field of cooperative development.
Sanjay Kumar Verma, Deputy Director, COOP Connect made a detailed presentation on the present status of curriculum development of cooperatives in the formal education system in India with special emphasis on school education and the active role of NCUI in this endeavor.
Ms. Sandhya Kapoor, Deputy Director & Faculty NCCE shared the details of the diploma program run by NCCE, and suggested that there should be an active participation of faculty members of Tribhuvan University in the faculty development program organized in NCCE every year. Dr. K.N. Sinha, Executive Director (International Relations) of NCUI proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion.
NCUI in collaboration with the Mysore University arranged a study exposure visit of the Nepalese delegation to Mysore University and other educational institutions in Bangalore where cooperative management is a part of the curriculum of formal education.
The Nepalese team also visited Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University, Gadag, where the delegation was briefed about the courses of M.Com in Cooperative Management and one year diploma course in Cooperative Management.
In another meeting held at Karnataka Souhardha Federal Cooperative, the members of the Nepalese delegation were briefed about the successful running of Diploma Program in Cooperative Management.