The Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) was founded in 1979 to provide professional management solutions to the problems of the economically underserved sectors of society. It was established to prepare managers to handle managerial issues in cooperatives and development organizations.
To fulfil its objectives, it offers a post-graduate program in rural management and conducts several training programmes for managers from the development sector and government. A doctoral-level Fellow programme in rural management is also offered to promote rural management research.
In addition to teaching and capacity building, it engages in research and consulting. In this regard, it collaborates with the government and several non-governmental organizations of national and international repute. These organizations include the Department of Science and Technology (Government of India), Government of West Bengal, Government of Gujarat, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), and Pradan.
Furthermore, the IRMA Water Center was established as a Center for Excellence to focus on current issues related to water policy, institutions, and management. The center’s objectives are to perform research and consulting, provide education and training, and construct a resource repository on water. The IRMA Water Centre undertakes various tasks, including impact assessments, social cost-benefit analysis, institutional performance analysis, and business model development.