Policy for Divestment

Policy for Divestment

Policy for Divestment
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
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Divestment” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    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
    1. To ensure that the institution’s investments align with principles of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance, by divesting from industries or entities that contribute to environmental degradation, human rights violations, or unethical practices, and redirecting funds toward sustainable and socially responsible alternatives.
  3. Scope
    1. All institutional investments, endowments, and financial portfolios
    2. Subsidiary and affiliate investment entities
    3. Partnerships with external fund managers, banks, or corporations
    4. Decisions regarding procurement, sponsorships, and corporate partnerships
  4. Goals
    1. Align investment decisions with the institution’s sustainability, ethics, and governance principles.
    2. Phase out investments in industries harmful to people or the planet (e.g., fossil fuels, arms manufacturing, tobacco, exploitative labor).
    3. Promote reinvestment in sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible ventures.
    4. Enhance transparency and accountability in all financial and investment activities.
    5. Support global climate and social justice efforts in line with the SDGs.
  5. Implementation Measures
    1. SRHU is committed to ethical investment practices that uphold environmental stewardship, human rights, and good governance.
    2. The University shall divest from companies or sectors that:
      1. Engage in fossil fuel extraction and production or have no clear transition plan.
      2. Are involved in arms trading, human rights abuses, or corruption.
      3. Produce or market tobacco, single-use plastics, or environmentally harmful products.
    3. Investment portfolios shall be periodically reviewed to ensure compliance with sustainability and ethical standards.
    4. Reinvestment shall prioritize renewable energy, green technology, circular economy initiatives, education, and community development.
  6. Strategic Actions
    1. Screening and Assessment
      1. Conduct Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) screening for all current and future investments.
      2. Identify and categorize investments that conflict with institutional values or SDG principles.
      3. Develop a divestment timeline to phase out harmful investments responsibly.
    2. Divestment and Reinvestment Process
      1. Establish clear criteria for divestment, including risk, environmental impact, and human rights records.
      2. Redirect divested funds into sustainable and ethical sectors, such as:
        1. Renewable energy and clean technologies
        2. Sustainable agriculture and green infrastructure
        3. Education, social enterprises, and community initiatives
      3. Collaborate with ethical investment partners to identify and monitor new investment opportunities.
    3. Transparency and Accountability
      1. Publish an annual report on investment activities, including divestment progress and reinvestment outcomes.
      2. Ensure stakeholder participation in decision-making, especially from students, staff, or shareholders.
      3. Disclose all investment holdings to maintain transparency and build public trust.
    4. Capacity Building and Advocacy
      1. Train finance and governance teams on sustainable investment principles.
      2. Promote awareness campaigns about the social and environmental impacts of unethical investments.
      3. Collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and other institutions pursuing responsible investment initiatives.
  7. Monitoring and Evaluation
    1. Conduct annual ESG performance reviews of all investment holdings.
    2. Maintain a divestment registry documenting phased withdrawals and reinvestment actions by the concerned officer.
    3. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as:
      1. Percentage of portfolio aligned with SDG targets
      2. Amount divested from high-risk sectors
      3. Reinvestment in sustainable or social impact ventures
    4. Present progress reports to the Board and Sustainability Committee annually.
  8. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  9. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel, or withdraw any or all provisions mentioned herein above in this policy without any notice.
  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.