IRMA Requests National University Status through the Ministry of Cooperation

The Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), the premier rural management institute founded by Dr Verghese Kurien, has requested for the Institute of National Importance (INI) or the national university status through the Ministry of Cooperation.

IRMA, which is currently an independent, self-supporting institution, promises to soon provide a wide range of programmes in addition to expanding from its current two diploma and one fellow programme.

In addition, this will be Gujarat's fourth institute to get the INI status. Three Gujarati institutions — Rashtriya Raksha University Gandhinagar, National Forensic Sciences University Gandhinagar, and Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Jamnagar — received the designation of Institute of National Importance in 2020.

According to IRMA Director Dr. Umakant Dash, an application was made in January this year for the national university designation.

IRMA is a rural management institute, Dr. Dash argued that the Rural Development Ministry already has the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) and numerous State Institutes of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRDPR) under it, whereas the Cooperation Ministry does not.

During the IRMA's 41st convocation ceremony on June 12, Union Minister for Home and Co-operation Amit Shah stated that the IRMA must contribute even more in strengthening and developing the co-operative sector.

Dash continued saying that the Central Government sensed the necessity and need for a National University, so the recommendation originated from the Ministry. Earlier, in 2021, Shah had announced the establishment of a National University in the Lok Sabha.

According to the Societies Registration Act of 1860, the renowned Institute of Rural Management Anand was founded in the year 1979 as a society.

As per the section 2(13) of the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, it is registered as a deemed public trust. The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) recognizes its flagship Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) Rural Management (RM) as being equivalent to a Masters degree (AIU).

Dr. Dash discussed the plans and preparations for IRMA's expansion and stated that the institute is "mentally prepared".

Although this growth will be gradual and dependent on the assistance of other state governments, it is anticipated to have a pan-Indian presence in two to three years.

Further, he added that mentally they are set up and consulting with different stakeholders to comprehend the requirements is underway.

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