Dr. J.M. Vyas, Padma Shri awardee and the Founder Vice Chancellor of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), has been appointed as the Officiating Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU), an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India.

The announcement was made public by the National Forensic Sciences University via an official statement on social media. The NFSU community celebrated this latest achievement, highlighting Dr. Vyas’s continued service in the higher education sector and his commitment to institutional excellence.

“The NFSU family proudly celebrates his latest achievements, adding yet another distinguished feather to his cap.”

Dr. Vyas has been instrumental in transforming forensic education in India through his leadership at NFSU, the world’s first university dedicated solely to forensic sciences. Under his guidance, NFSU earned global recognition, contributing significantly to law enforcement, criminal justice, and forensic research in India and abroad.

About Tribhuvan Sahkari University

Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU) was established with the primary aim of promoting education, research, and capacity-building in the cooperative sector. The Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 3, passed by both Houses of Parliament in March and April respectively, and enacted into law soon after. TSU is headquartered in Anand, Gujarat—widely recognized as the birthplace of India’s cooperative movement.

The university is named after Shri Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, the founding chairman of AMUL and a pioneering figure in India’s cooperative sector. TSU seeks to carry forward his legacy by creating a structured ecosystem for cooperative education and development.

Objectives and Scope

Tribhuvan Sahkari University is envisioned to become a national center of excellence for cooperative learning and innovation. Its core objectives include:

  • Offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs focused on cooperative management and governance.
  • Providing distance and online education to reach cooperative professionals across India.
  • Establishing schools and centers of excellence to address key themes such as rural development, agriculture, dairy, finance, and social entrepreneurship.
  • Promoting international collaborations and establishing affiliated institutions globally.

Integration of IRMA

One of the most significant features of the university’s structure is the integration of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) as a constituent school. IRMA will retain its autonomous academic and administrative functions but will operate under the academic umbrella of TSU.

Founded by Dr. Verghese Kurien in 1979, IRMA has played a pivotal role in training rural managers and strengthening cooperative institutions. As part of TSU, IRMA is expected to contribute significantly to the university's academic and research output.

Government’s Vision: “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”

The establishment of TSU is aligned with the Union Government’s broader vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation). The university is intended to address the acute shortage of skilled professionals in the cooperative sector, with plans to train over 800,000 individuals annually.

Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has described the university as a “game-changer” in strengthening the cooperative movement and enhancing rural economic development through professional education and training.

Future Outlook

Dr. J.M. Vyas’s appointment is expected to provide strong academic and administrative leadership during the university’s formative years. With a proven track record in institution-building, he is expected to lay a strong foundation for TSU and ensure it achieves its national and international objectives.

Tribhuvan Sahkari University, under his stewardship, is poised to become a hub for innovation, leadership, and sustainable development in the cooperative sector—an initiative that may redefine the landscape of cooperative education in India.