India steps into cooperative education era as Amit Shah lays base for first national university
by Utsav RoyUnion Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday laid the foundation stone for Tribhuvan Sahkari University, India’s first national cooperative university, located in Gujarat’s Anand district.
The ceremony took place on the premises of the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and Union Ministers of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar and Muralidhar Mohol. Shah also performed a traditional pooja and unveiled a commemorative plaque.
The university is named in honor of Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, a pioneer of India’s cooperative movement and a founding figure behind Amul. Born on October 22, 1903, in Kheda, Anand, Patel passed away on June 3, 1994.
Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU) is envisioned to equip the cooperative sector with skilled professionals and aims to train nearly 20 lakh individuals from cooperative bodies such as Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy unions, and fisheries over five years.
TSU will offer academic and training programs focused on cooperative management, finance, law, and rural development. The institution aims to foster innovation, improve governance, and strengthen grassroots cooperatives to drive inclusive rural growth.
Plans include launching flexible multi-disciplinary courses, establishing specialized schools across states, and linking over 200 cooperative institutions to build a nationwide cooperative education network. A dedicated R&D council will also be established to drive innovation tailored for rural cooperative ecosystems.