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Centre of Excellence for Sustainability

Centre of Excellence for Sustainability

Centre of Excellence for Sustainability

The Centre of Excellence for Sustainability at Swami Rama Himalayan University serves as a university-wide hub advancing sustainability across education, research, healthcare, governance, and community engagement in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Centre functions as a nodal coordinating platform for sustainability initiatives, promoting evidence-based solutions, inclusive practices, and community-focused programmes relevant to the Himalayan ecosystem.

Vision

To foster a sustainable and resilient University ecosystem that harmonizes education, research, and community engagement with environmental stewardship.

Mission

To embed sustainability across academics, research, campus operations, and outreach through resource efficiency, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, circular economy, and ethical governance.

What We Do

  • Promote sustainability in teaching and learning through interdisciplinary approaches and capacity-building programmes
  • Advance research for regional and global impact through the Research Centre for Environmental Sustainability
  • Strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) driven social sustainability initiatives
  • Translate knowledge into action through outreach projects and collaborative partnerships

Governance

The Centre of Excellence for Sustainability is guided by structured committees ensuring sustainability is integrated across academic, operational, and outreach priorities.

Role: Strategic leadership, policy integration, monitoring, and reporting

Key Functions:

  • Sustainability strategy and action planning
  • Cross-departmental coordination
  • Monitoring outcomes and institutional reporting
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration and capacity building

View Core Committee

Role: Promoting inclusive institutional practices and equitable participation

Key Functions:

  • Inclusive policies and sensitisation programmes
  • Equity-driven research and outreach initiatives
  • Inclusive pedagogy and community engagement

Research Centre for Climate Resilience and Sustainability

The Research Centre for Climate Resilience and Sustainability is committed to driving impactful sustainability education, research, and action within and beyond Swami Rama Himalayan University. The Centre offers interdisciplinary academic programmes addressing environmental stewardship, climate adaptation, natural resource governance, social equity, and sustainable development.

A distinctive feature of the Centre is its emphasis on experiential learning through field exposure, applied research, and real-world sustainability interventions, fostering systems thinking and practical solutions to complex challenges.

Vision: To establish SRHU as a leading institution in climate resilience and sustainable development in the Himalayan region and beyond.

Mission: To integrate sustainability across academics, research, campus operations, and community outreach through resource efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, biodiversity conservation, and environmental & social governance.

The Research Centre aims to:

  • Promote interdisciplinary research on climate change, water security, renewable energy, and biodiversity
  • Integrate sustainability into curricula and pedagogy
  • Encourage behavioural change through training and student-led initiatives
  • Conduct regional environmental and livelihood impact studies
  • Strengthen partnerships with government, industry, NGOs, and communities
  • Contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Research Themes:

  • Climate change and Himalayan ecosystems
  • Environmental and planetary health
  • Sustainable healthcare systems
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Water, waste, and energy sustainability
  • One Health and environment–health interfaces

SDG-wise Research Publications

View Research Centre Report (2024–25)

   Admissions Form         

Admission Open For 2025

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.