IIM-A to design curriculum for Assam's university

GUWAHATI: Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad will design the curriculum of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Co-operative Management in Assam. The state government is setting up a first of its kind co-operative management university on a 250-bigha plot in Sibsagar district of Upper Assam.

The state government will soon ink an MoU with IIM Ahmedabad for devising the course of the university. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, on Saturday, said that a team of professors from the IIM visited Assam recently and has discussed the various types of management courses that can be offered by the university.

He informed, "This university will strengthen co-operative movements in the region. New courses will be introduced. We will also set up a Small and Marginal Farmers Development Corporation to provide incentives and skill upgradation."

In the election year 2011, Gogoi announced a slew of schemes. He added that the state government will set up a rehabilitation authority for erosion-affected people. "As Arunachal Pradesh is opposing setting up of a Northeastern Water Resources Authority (NEWRA), we have decided to set up the Assam Water Resources Management Authority for taming the annual floods in the state.

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge over river Brahmaputra."

The chief minister also announced the setting up of a new Employment Generation and Skill Development Corporation and creation of 15 new sub-divisions.

The state government has decided to set up old age and orphan homes in all district headquarters, while a special care home will be established for HIV-affected children.