The Bill was recently introduced in Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Cooperation.

• About the Bill: The new university will be established on the campus of IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand) in Gujarat, will be India’s first dedicated cooperative university.
• Purpose of the University: Currently, IRMA offers specialised courses in rural management and cooperative sector training.

oThe university aims to provide technical and management education in the co-operative sector.

oIt will promote co-operative research and development to achieve global standards of excellence.

• Global Perspective: Similar cooperative universities exist in Germany, Kenya, Colombia, and Spain.
• How is it Different?

oSpecialised University for co-operative education, training, research, and development.

oEstablishes sector-specific schools in dairy, fishery, sugar, banking, rural credit, co-operative finance, co-operative marketing, laws, audit, and multi-state co-operatives.

oIntegration with e-learning platforms like SWAYAM.

• Why a Cooperative University?