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Picture Courtesy: Opinion Express

Context:

The Union Government has introduced the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha to establish a new university dedicated to the cooperative sector.

Key Highlights of the Proposal

Establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University:

The university will be set up on the campus of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) in Gujarat.
It will be declared an institution of national importance.
The university will focus on technical and management education, training, and research in the cooperative sector.

Objectives:

To strengthen the cooperative movement in India by imparting specialized education and training.
To promote cooperative research and development and achieve global standards of excellence.
To establish sector-specific schools such as dairy, fishery, sugar, banking, rural credit, cooperative finance, marketing, accounting, laws, and audit.

Structure:

The university will have 4-5 affiliated colleges or institutions in states with a high concentration of cooperative societies and 1-2 affiliated colleges in states with fewer such societies.
It will leverage existing e-learning platforms like SWAYAM for mass education.

Role of IRMA:

IRMA, currently a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, will be dissolved and integrated into the new university.
It will become a Centre of Excellence for Rural Management within the university, retaining its autonomy and identity.

Why a Cooperative University?

The cooperative sector plays a essential role in economy, contributing to:
- - Agricultural credit (19%),
  - Fertilizer distribution (35%),
  - Sugar production (31%),
  - Milk production and procurement (10%),
  - Wheat and paddy procurement (13% and 20%, respectively),
  - Fish production (21%).

Need for Standardized Education and Training:

The current education and training infrastructure in the cooperative sector is fragmented, inadequate, lack of standardization and quality monitoring mechanisms.
The university aims to address these gaps by providing a comprehensive, integrated, and standardized structure for education, training, and research.

Capacity Building:

The university will focus on building the capacity of employees and board members in cooperative societies across India.
It will ensure a steady supply of professionally qualified manpower for managerial, supervisory, administrative, technical, and operational roles.

IRMA’s Legacy and Transition

IRMA was founded in 1979 by Dr. Verghese Kurien, the architect of India’s White Revolution.
It was established with support from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), and the governments of India and Gujarat.
IRMA has been a pioneer in rural management education and training, particularly in the cooperative sector.
With the establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University, IRMA will transition into a Centre of Excellence within the new university, continuing its legacy while expanding its scope.