Policy for Addressing Poverty

Policy for Addressing Poverty

Policy for Addressing Poverty

Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025–26
Swami Rama Himalayan University Swami Ram Nagar, Jolly Grant – 248016, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
  • 1. Short Title & Commencement
    • 1.1 This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Addressing Poverty” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    • 1.2 This Policy shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of approval of the Board of Management of the University.
  • 2. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure that poverty does not become a barrier to accessing and benefiting from higher education. The University acknowledges its social responsibility to promote equity, inclusion, and sustainable development by supporting economically disadvantaged students and engaging with communities to reduce poverty.This policy aims to:
    • 2.1 Strengthen institutional mechanisms for financial and social support.
    • 2.2 Encourage educational and economic empowerment of marginalized sections.
    • 2.3 Align university activities with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty) and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  • 3. Scope This policy applies to:
    • 3.1 All students, faculty, and staff within the University.
    • 3.2 University-led community engagement and outreach programs in rural or economically weaker regions.
    • 3.3 Institutional collaborations with government, NGOs, and industries aimed at social upliftment.
    The policy is relevant to academic, administrative, and extension activities that contribute directly or indirectly to poverty alleviation and social inclusion.
  • 4. Goals
    • 4.1 To provide equitable access to quality education for students from low-income backgrounds.
    • 4.2 To promote skill development, employability, and entrepreneurship among disadvantaged groups.
    • 4.3 To strengthen the University’s role as a catalyst for social transformation.
    • 4.4 To foster research, innovation, and outreach focused on poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods.
  • 5. Strategic Actions
    • 5.1 Educational Access and Equity
      • 5.1.1 Offer need-based and merit-cum-means scholarships.
      • 5.1.2 Implement flexible payment schemes and financial counseling.
      • 5.1.3 Conduct bridge and remedial courses for first-generation learners.
      • 5.1.4 Ensure non-discriminatory admission and academic practices.
    • 5.2 Economic Empowerment and Employment
      • 5.2.1 Organize skill development, vocational, and entrepreneurship programs.
      • 5.2.2 Create on-campus employment opportunities for needy students.
      • 5.2.3 Collaborate with industries for training, internships, and placement of underprivileged learners.
    • 5.3 Research and Innovation
      • 5.3.1 Encourage research projects addressing poverty, inequality, and sustainable livelihoods.
      • 5.3.2 Promote innovation and social entrepreneurship as tools for community empowerment.
      • 5.3.3 Publish and disseminate findings to influence local and national policy-making.
    • 5.4 Community Outreach and Extension
      • 5.4.1 Implement extension activities in rural and marginalized communities.
      • 5.4.2 Partner with local bodies, NGOs, and self-help groups to deliver social impact programs.
      • 5.4.3 Include service-learning components in academic curricula.
    • 5.5 Institutional Mechanisms
      • 5.5.1 Establish a Social Responsibility and Inclusion Cell (SRIC) under IQAC/Dean Student Welfare.
      • 5.5.2 Allocate institutional funds and seek CSR or donor contributions.
      • 5.5.3 Maintain a database of beneficiaries and program outcomes.
  • 6. Implementation
    • 6.1 The SRIC will oversee execution, monitoring, and evaluation.
    • 6.2 Departments and schools will integrate poverty-related initiatives into academic and extracurricular planning.
    • 6.3 Annual action plans and reports will be submitted to the University Academic Council or Governing Body for review.
  • 7. Monitoring and Evaluation
    • 7.1 Periodic assessment of the effectiveness of scholarships, skill programs, and outreach activities.
    • 7.2 Collection of feedback from students and community partners.
    • 7.3 Regular review meetings to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • 8. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required.
  • 9. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel or withdraw any or all provisions mentioned herein above.
  • 10. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.
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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.