Dr. Hema Yadav is serving as the Director at Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management, Pune. She has contributed in the area of implementation of Schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare by preparing action plans and awareness programmes and has also been an advisor on agriculture policies to States like Rajasthan, Odisha, Sikkim and Assam. As a panel member of Doubling farmers Income (2017), she has contributed to preparing Volume 3&4 on Agri-logistics and Post Production Management. Also, she has handled international assignments on Market Infrastructure Design and layout of Rural and wholesale markets. 

VAMNICOM Pune

Can you elaborate on the functioning of your institute?

“Strengthening youth through training and education”

VAMNICOM is a premier National institute for Cooperative Management in India that organizes international and national level training programmes to enhance the knowledge, skills, the attitude of cooperative members and personnel. We enable them to accomplish the jobs assigned to them, motivate the workers, build effective organizations and strengthen the capabilities of human resources in co-operatives. Understanding that the cooperative business requires specific education and training for those who wish to operate it, VAMNICOM has taken a leadership role in designing and delivering need based training. The institute has six centres that work in synergy towards the conduct of management and collaborative programmes adding value to the training and education in the cooperative sector. I believe the operational excellence of an institute can be achieved through a proper academic and administrative environment. 

What makes VAMNICOM students distinct?

“Multiple skill enhancement and broader approaches”

Majority of the students taking admission in PGDM ABM Programme are graduates of agricultural and allied subjects. The orientation of rural background makes them comfortable in working any job relating to agri-business including in remote areas. Further, the subjects like managing collectives, rural development, agri finance and rural credit make them well aware of the rural sector, especially cooperatives, Self-help Groups & Farmer producer organizations. Education and training help students to acquire knowledge and to develop skills that enable them to implement decisions effectively. 

What activities are undertaken by your institute for career growth of students?

“Industry Mentorship Programmes and Projects”

The Industry Interface activities for students aim at achieving the objective of providing industry exposure to the students and are equally important as the classroom sessions. Hence, the institute promotes these activities as a part of industry observation and rural development exposure and also prepares the students to face the industry post academics with many strides. The Summer Internship programme where the students get attached with an organization to get hands-on experience of the industry is provided as well. Apart from this, live projects, case studies, etc. are undertaken by students. Also, industry experts are expected to give handholding support to the identified students so as to become industry ready before their completion of the programme as well as joining their organization. Moreover, the institute is very active on the various online tools in today’s world which keeps the alumni network intact and opens a window of opportunities. 

What are the facilities you provide to the students on campus?

“Adding comfort in true sense with latest amenities”

Our Campus is situated in the heart of the city, surrounded by greenery and natural beauty, giving the perfect ambience for enhancing skills and knowledge. The campus is well equipped with all the latest equipment including digital boards in the classroom, smart podiums and a fully Wi-Fi enabled structure. The optic fibre internet connection of 100 Mbps through the National Knowledge Network of National Informatics Centre is made available to the students. VAMNICOM is blessed with excellent e-library service for which around 6 databases are subscribed such as Commodities by CMIE, Ebsco Business Source Elite Plus, Indiastat, DELNET, Economic & Political Weekly Database, and e-Research Business School Platform. We also have a huge collection of 50,000 books on various subjects such as Cooperation, Banking, Management, Economics and Agriculture etc. VAMNICOM as an educational institution promotes various events to cater to the community spirit, to equip the students with practical skills and knowledge and add value both socially and academically.

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In context to the Ministry of Cooperation, how is VAMNICOM going to play an important role?

“Manifold responsibilities to uplift the quality of training”

VAMNICOM, which deals in the unique area of cooperation since its inception in 1947 in the country, has expanded its focus to the Agri-business sector from 2004. Further, the focus has been enlarged now to collectives- in addition to Co-operations, Self Help Groups and Farmer producer organizations. In order to meet the training mandate of the Government of India in the areas of FPOs, livelihood missions and skill & entrepreneurship development, the Institute envisages further diversification of training programmes through the introduction of relevant certificate/diploma programmes in the referred areas. To meet the objectives, the institute has created a full-fledged centre for entrepreneurship development in July 2021 as well. VAMNICOM also plans to continue its work with the same effectiveness and plans to reach enviable heights in future by reaching PACS. The institute is gearing up for the same and envisions reaching out to the 3 million cooperatives worldwide and serving 8 lakh co-operatives in India. The institute also offers consultancy services both at the State and National Level, viz Recruitment of Personnel for co-operatives, Information Technology support through formulation IT & Cyber Security Policy, and conduct of system audit, support to computerize cooperative organizations. 

How is VAMNICOM orienting youth towards cooperative?

“Diverse leading examples and alumni in the field”

VAMNICOM students are willing to take managerial positions and lead agribusiness activities at the grass-root level. Our VAMNICOM students are working with various national level cooperative institutions such as Indian Farmer Fertilizer Cooperatives, National Cooperative Development Corporation, Krishak Bharati Cooperative, Land Development Bank Federation, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF)-Amul to name a few. Also, VAMNICOM has a very strong and prosperous alumni network who are successful and working at good positions in different Agri input companies as well as banking, microfinance and other sectors. 

How is VAMNICOM contributing to sustainable development goals?

“Adapting to alternate and non-polluting sources of energy”

The SDGs of the UN focus on the promotion of renewable energy activities in rural areas. VAMNICOM regularly conducts national and international level sensitization programmes on renewable energy sources. The institute has already installed solar-powered street lamps on the residential campus. Further efforts are now in progress to set up a model biogas and waste management plant in association with IREDA. The institute has installed a natural gas pipeline in association with Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited supplying cooking gas to the residential quarters and student hostel.

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Tell us about the latest programs you’re offering in your institute?

“Well recognized at national level”

The institute has four long-duration programmes:

(a) PGDM – Agri-Business & Management (ABM) which is equivalent to an MBA degree for fresh graduates 

(b) DCBM programme for in-service officers working in cooperatives 

(c) Diploma in Management of Computer Operations for middle level and operational level personnel’s in the cooperatives 

(d) International Online programme on Agri-business Entrepreneurship offered as a weekend programme for in-service personnel 

PGDM-ABM, a two-year full-time residential programme, is one of the most popular among the youngsters which is approved by AICTE and recognized by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to an MBA degree & it has got accredited by the National Board of Accreditation, New Delhi. The programme has got industry acceptance which is reflected in our 100 per cent campus placements. As per the guidelines of AICTE, the institute accepts national level test scores for taking admission in the PGDM ABM program and has 24 hours broadband and wireless connectivity.