Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 7AM - 7PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM
About the Punjab Institute of Cooperative Studies (PICS), Formerly Cooperative Government College Faisalabad
Welcome to the Punjab Institute of Cooperative Studies (PICS), a leading institution dedicated to cooperative education and development in Pakistan. Building on a rich legacy, PICS was formerly known as the Cooperative Government College Faisalabad. For decades, we have been at the forefront of fostering the cooperative movement through specialized education, training, and community empowerment.
Our Enduring Vision: The Power of Cooperative Education
At PICS, we firmly believe in the transformative power of cooperative education. It’s the bedrock for a thriving cooperative sector, essential for the socio-economic uplift of communities across Punjab and beyond. We understand that sustainable growth within cooperative societies hinges on the enlightened participation of their office-bearers, members, and the wider public.
Our programs are meticulously designed to instill the core principles of cooperation: “friend, philosopher, and guide” and the philosophy of “one for all and all for one.” Through continuous education and motivation, we empower individuals to understand and embody these ideals, driving positive change within their cooperative units.
Our aim is not only to create awareness on these particular subjects, rather it develops the personality, positive attitudes, self- confidences, improve wider knowledge, high degree of managerial skills, problem solving skills, financial handling strategies, plans drafting skills, Human Resource managerial skills and enhance Government relational tactics in the fast-changing world.
Our Mission: Empowering Communities Through Cooperative Excellence
The mission of the Punjab Institute of Cooperative Studies (PICS) is to cultivate highly competent human capital. We achieve this through:
Quality Education & Training: Delivering specialized courses and classes that blend theoretical knowledge with practical insights.
Applied Research & Innovation: Conducting impactful research to identify best practices and foster innovative cooperative models.
Demonstrating Cooperative Success: Showcasing successful cooperative models that can be replicated on the ground for tangible socio-economic transformation.
Comprehensive Skill Development: Educating and training members of various cooperative societies, alongside cooperative functionaries, to form and manage effective cooperative units.
Key Objectives of PICS
In Consonance with the motives of the IYC 2025, the PICS aims to play an important role in the revival of the cooperative sector in Punjab through the following initiatives:
- Continuous review of the curriculum of all classes & courses to include the latest innovations in the cooperative sector around the globe.
- Upgradation of teaching methodologies & techniques of PICS Faisalabad through integration of the latest digital means & equipment.
- Establishment of Distance Learning classrooms to enhance the outreach of PICS Faisalabad to include remote and underserved areas.
- To promote Learning through case studies of successful cooperatives around the globe.
- Continuous refinement of educational content, guided by course assessments and evaluation’s
- Practical training through study tours of cooperative societies all over Pakistan. Through Simulation Exercises.
- To get the subject/topics of cooperation included in the curriculum of educational institutes in the light of Malaysian, Brazilian and Eswatini experience.
A Legacy of Learning: Our History
The journey of this esteemed institution began in 1960 when the Cooperative Training College Faisalabad was first established in Lahore. Recognizing the strategic importance of Faisalabad as a hub, the college was relocated to its present site in Faisalabad in 1961. This move solidified its role as a central pillar for cooperative development in the region.
Academic Excellence: Our Affiliation
Demonstrating our commitment to academic rigor and recognized standards, the Cooperative Training College (now PICS) proudly affiliated with the prestigious University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) in 2014. This affiliation enables us to offer the comprehensive “Diploma in Community Development through Cooperatives” (CDC). This six-month specialized training program is crucial for direct Assistant Registrars and Direct Inspector training classes, equipping them with advanced skills for leadership and effective management within the cooperative landscape.