By Abhinay Deshpande
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will on Saturday (July 5, 2025) lay the foundation stone for India鈥檚 first national-level cooperative university, 鈥楾ribhuvan Sahkari University鈥 (TSU), in Anand, Gujarat. The ceremony will be attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, along with Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Muralidhar Mohol, and Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani.
The university aims to address the growing need for skilled professionals in India鈥檚 cooperative sector by offering specialised education, training and research programmes in cooperative management, finance, law and rural development. It will provide multidisciplinary academic programmes ranging from PhDs to managerial degrees, supervisory diplomas and operational certificates.
Officials say the institution plans to train approximately 20 lakh personnel from various cooperative societies, including Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy cooperatives and fisheries, over the next five years. The government described the university as a crucial step in strengthening the cooperative movement through education and skill development.
During his visit, Mr. Shah will also participate in the 鈥楨k Ped Maa Ke Naam鈥 tree plantation campaign and unveil an NCERT-developed educational module designed to introduce school students to cooperative principles and India鈥檚 cooperative movement history.