SIVASAGAR, March 3 � As a part of the University Reform Proposal backed by the European Union, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Economic Forum (WEF), UNESCO and the World Bank, Catherine Butcher of the University of Roehampton, London, UK is engaged on a search for an alternative model of universities, i.e., heterodox vis-�-vis orthodox universities around the world. Catherine has chosen �Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management (ARGUCOM), Sivasagar as one for indepth study to understand its socio-economic agenda. Her other universities of interest are Mondragon University, Spain; New-University Cooperative, Canada and Berea College, USA whose primary objectives are to put the need of students and society ahead of profits. Her stay in Assam was for 12 days i.e., from February 16-28.
During her visit to Assam, Catherine Butcher had a detailed interaction with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on February 17. In her two-day programme at Guwahati on February 17-18, she interacted with the managing director and advisor of Fishfed followed by an interaction with fish farmers and also visited the Assam Polyester Cooperative Society Limited (APOL) unit at Tulshibari, Rangiya. Dr Rafiquz Zaman, Vice-Chancellor of Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management, also organised a visit to different cooperative societies in Kamrup district to highlight the scenario of cooperatives in Assam.
During her journey to Sivasagar from Guwahati, she visited Sitajakhala Milk Society at Jagiroad, Bholaguri Satra Multipurpose Society, Assam Jute Mill (Apex cooperative) at Silghat and Duwarbagori Multipurpose Society.
The entire programme of visiting ARGUCOM by Catherine Butcher comprised of different interactive sessions with different officials, faculties, focus group and visits to cooperative societies etc. On February 20 Dr Zaman inaugurated the interactive session of Catherine Butcher with the students of ARGUCOM. In a focus group discussion with the students, Ms Butcher tried to understand the perception of the students about education in cooperative management.
On February 21, a field visit to Dhekial Cooperative Society, Golaghat and Numaligarh Refinery Consumer Society was organised in order to highlight the grassroot scenario of cooperative societies in Golaghat district. Ms Butcher was accompanied by Sangita Borah, faculty of ARGUCOM.
In the interactive session with the faculty members of ARGUCOM, Ms Catherine Butcher presented her research model of heterodox university system highlighting the case studies of Deepsprings College (California) and Mondragon University which are following a heterodox model of higher education in terms of ownership, pattern and fees structure for the students. Ms Butcher expressed her expectations on Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management, Sivasagar in paving the path of a heterodox model of higher education in India.
The Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management, Sivasagar organised a two-month students internship programme in Kolhapur, well-known as a hub of cooperatives and also executed an innovative concept of developing case studies and research papers based on practical experiences in operational and management function of different cooperatives in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. Faculties of ARGUCOM from different schools developed a total of 16 case studies and three research papers which will be utilised as study material for the students in further classroom practices.
In an interactive session with Ms Catherine Butcher, faculty members of ARGUCOM presented these case studies and research papers highlighting the overall real cooperative scenario in India. Mridushmita Das, Assistant Professor, ARGUCOM presented about the training programmes for farmers organised by the university, highlighting its role in creating awareness on development of cooperatives as an economic reform.
On February 25, Ms Butcher visited the Sundarpukhuri Milk Cooperative Society, Nazira accompanied by Sangita Borah and Pallavi Devi, faculties of ARGUCOM. An interactive session between Ms Butcher and the focus group of different cooperative societies from Sivasagar was organised with an object to strengthen the grassroot linkage of the university to enhance awareness on cooperative as a source of economic development in the region.
The visit of Ms Catherine Butcher to the Assam Rajiv Gandhi University is likely to open up the door of global networking of ARGUCOM in future particularly with the specialised universities of Europe/ USA/Canada, etc.