On 11 March, a delegation from the Department of Cooperation, Gandhigram Rural Institute (GRI), visited the ICA-AP office in New Delhi. The delegation, led by senior faculty member & former Head of the Department (HoD) Dr. C. Pitchai, comprised 15 M. Com. (Cooperative Management) students and a research scholar. The visit was part of the students’ institutional exposure program aimed at deepening their understanding of cooperative structures and governance at the national and international levels.

GRI, established in 1956, is a renowned institution dedicated to rural higher education and operates under the Ministry of Education, Government of India as a deemed university. It has expanded over the years to include eight schools, 19 departments, and nine centers, offering over 60 academic programs. The Department of Cooperation at GRI, one of the oldest in India, has been instrumental in fostering cooperative education, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in cooperative management.

The visiting delegation engaged in a stimulating session with. Ms. Shivali Sarna, Lead – Communication and Membership Development, Mr. Ganesh Gopal, Lead – Agriculture & Environment, and Mr. Naveen Kumar Singh, Program Officer – Research engaged. The ICA-AP team  delivered a presentation on ICA-AP’s structure, functions, and key initiatives in promoting cooperative development across the Asia-Pacific region. The session facilitated an interactive dialogue, allowing students to explore cooperative trends, governance models, and the role of international organizations in strengthening the cooperative movement. Several of the GRI student delegates had been part of previous ICA-AP events including the Youth Summits, Coop Pitch competitions, and the research conferences.

The students also discussed various activities of the ICA-AP office and its committees, particularly relating to youth and education. The visit to cooperative institutions in New Delhi provided an opportunity for students to witness the application of cooperative principles beyond their academic curriculum. Discussions revolved around cooperative innovations, youth engagement in the sector, and ICA-AP’s initiatives supporting sustainable cooperative enterprises. Reflecting on the interaction, the ICA-AP team shared the enthusiasm and curiosity of the students from GRI to explore more about the world of cooperatives, underscoring the importance of bridging academic learning with practical exposure.

ICA-AP looks forward to continued engagement with academic institutions like GRI to nurture cooperative thought leadership and capacity-building among students.