GRI Students Visit ICA-AP Office for Institutional Exposure on Cooperative Development

On 8 April 2026, a delegation from the Department of Cooperation at The Gandhigram Rural Institute (GRI) – Deemed to be University, visited the International Cooperative Alliance – Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) office in New Delhi. The group comprised 25 M.Com. students specializing in Cooperative Management, who participated in the institutional exposure programme, designed to deepen understanding of cooperative structures and governance at national and international levels.

The visiting delegation engaged in an interactive session with Ms. Shivali Sarna, Head of Communications and Membership Development, Mr. Ayushman Madhwal, Communications and Events Officer, and Ms. Monalisa Kashyap, Programme Coordinator and Policy Advocacy Officer under the ICA-EU Partnership Programme. The ICA-AP team delivered a comprehensive presentation on the organization’s structure, strategic priorities, and key initiatives advancing cooperative development across the Asia–Pacific region.

The session fostered an engaging exchange, enabling students to explore contemporary cooperative trends, governance models, and the role of international organisations in strengthening the cooperative ecosystem.

The students also learned about ICA-AP’s thematic committees and ongoing work in areas such as youth, policy advocacy, and sustainable development. The visit provided a meaningful opportunity to connect academic learning with real world practice, while encouraging students to critically engage with the cooperative sector beyond the classroom.

ICA-AP looks forward to strengthening its engagement with academic institutions such as GRI, with the aim of nurturing informed, skilled, and motivated future leaders of the cooperative movement.