Tribhuvan Sahakari University Holds First Convocation in Anand, 304 Students Awarded Degrees

India’s first national university dedicated exclusively to cooperative education celebrated a landmark achievement with the first convocation ceremony of Tribhuvan Sahakari University (TSU) at the NDDB campus in Anand. A total of 304 students, including 302 MBA (Rural Management) graduates and two PhD scholars, were awarded degrees in the presence of Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Gujarat Cooperation Minister Jitu Vaghani.

The convocation not only marked the university’s academic journey but also highlighted the growing importance of professionally trained leaders for India’s cooperative sector. The institution also announced a 100% placement record, with the highest international package touching ₹40.68 lakh.

India’s First National Cooperative University Celebrates Historic Milestone

Named after cooperative movement pioneer Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, Tribhuvan Sahakari University became India’s first national university dedicated to cooperative education after Parliament granted it the status of an institution of national importance in 2025.

The first convocation ceremony was organised at the NDDB campus in Anand, the birthplace of India’s White Revolution. Students from the MBA (Rural Management) programme and doctoral research scholars received their degrees before senior government leaders, industry representatives, faculty members and parents.

Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol Highlights Cooperative Growth

Addressing the graduates, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol congratulated the university on achieving 100% placements and urged students to contribute towards nation building through the cooperative movement.

He recalled the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Tribhuvandas Patel and Dr. Verghese Kurien, whose leadership transformed India’s dairy sector and established the cooperative model that continues to benefit millions of farmers.

The minister also highlighted the progress made after the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021. According to him, the Government aims to establish two lakh new PACS societies over the next five years, with more than 35,000 already created.

He further stated that the National Cooperative Development Corporation has extended financial assistance of over ₹4 lakh crore to cooperative institutions during the last eleven years.

Jitu Vaghani Encourages Graduates to Lead Rural Development

Gujarat Cooperation Minister Jitu Vaghani described Gujarat’s cooperative ecosystem as more than an economic model, calling it a way of life that has transformed rural communities for decades.

Interacting directly with graduating students, he encouraged them to apply their education in strengthening rural development, agriculture, dairy management and cooperative institutions.

According to the minister, earning a university degree is not the end of education but the beginning of greater responsibility towards society and the nation.

Gujarat’s Dairy Ecosystem Continues to Expand

Vaghani also highlighted the state’s digital dairy payment infrastructure, stating that more than 16,000 villages are now connected through micro-ATM facilities.

He said nearly ₹26,000 crore is directly transferred into the bank accounts of dairy farmers and livestock owners, making Gujarat’s cooperative dairy payment model one of the country’s strongest examples of rural financial inclusion.

University Reports Strong Academic and Placement Performance

Vice Chancellor Dr. J. M. Vyas presented the university’s annual academic report, highlighting several achievements during the 2025-26 academic year.

The university organised 32 Management Development Programmes covering 157 training days, benefiting nearly 875 participants from government departments, cooperative organisations and development agencies across India.

Placement performance remained one of the institution’s biggest achievements.

According to the university:

100% placement achieved
135 organisations participated in campus recruitment
383 placement offers made
13 pre-placement offers received

The average annual salary package reached ₹16.34 lakh, while the highest international package stood at ₹40.68 lakh. Students in the top 10% of the graduating batch secured an average annual package of ₹28.01 lakh.

Major recruiters included:

GCMMF-Amul
ICICI Bank
Mother Dairy
NDDB Dairy Services
IDBI Bank
NCDC

Outstanding Students Receive Academic Awards

The university honoured several students for exceptional academic and field performance during the convocation.

Nalla Senapathi V. received the prestigious Kuchibhotla Vasanti Gold Medal for overall academic excellence.

Atharva Gundawar and Mit Lalwani jointly received the Best Village Fieldwork Segment Award, while additional honours were presented for excellence in Financial Management and Operations Management.

A New Chapter for Cooperative Education

The first convocation of Tribhuvan Sahakari University marks an important milestone for India’s cooperative education ecosystem.

With complete placement success, growing industry participation and strong government support, the university is expected to play a significant role in preparing future leaders for India’s cooperative, rural development and agri-business sectors.

As the country’s first national university dedicated exclusively to cooperative education, the institution aims to strengthen professional capacity while supporting the long-term growth of India’s cooperative movement.