Policy for Identifying and Engaging with Local Stakeholders

Policy for Identifying and Engaging with Local Stakeholders

Policy for Identifying and Engaging with Local Stakeholders
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 Identifying and Engaging with Local Stakeholders” 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. The purpose of this policy is to establish a clear framework for how the University identifies, communicates with, and engages local stakeholders including communities, government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant groups affected by or interested in its activities. The goal is to build trust, promote transparency, and ensure that local perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes, contributing to social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
  3. Scope
    1. All departments, projects, and operations of Swami Rama Himalayan University that interact with or impact local communities or stakeholders.
    2. All staff, students, contractors, and partners involved in planning, construction, research, or outreach activities.
    3. Both ongoing operations and new projects that may have environmental, social, or economic implications for the local area.
  4. Goals
    1. Identify and map key stakeholders in local communities and regions of influence.
    2. Build and maintain constructive, respectful relationships with local stakeholders.
    3. Ensure that community voices are considered in project planning and decision-making by the University Committee.
    4. Promote shared responsibility and collaboration for environmental and social sustainability.
    5. Support local development initiatives that align with University’s sustainability values.
  5. Guidelines
    1. Identifying all relevant local stakeholders in areas where we operate.
    2. Establishing open, transparent, and continuous communication channels.
    3. Considering stakeholder feedback in policy, program, and project decisions.
    4. Strengthening partnerships that contribute to mutual benefit and community well-being.
    This approach aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 17.
  6. Implementation Measures
    1. Stakeholder Identification and Mapping
      1. Identify all relevant local stakeholders, including:
        • Community members and leaders
        • Local government authorities
        • NGOs, civil society groups, and environmental organizations
        • Indigenous and marginalized populations
        • Academic institutions and local businesses
      2. Maintain a Stakeholder Register that is regularly updated with contact details, roles, and engagement history.
      3. Use stakeholder mapping tools to assess the influence, interests, and potential impacts of the organization’s operations.
    2. Stakeholder Engagement Planning
      1. Develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) for each major project or initiative.
      2. Tailor engagement methods to suit different groups—public consultations, workshops, surveys, focus groups, or digital platforms.
      3. Communicate clearly about the purpose, potential impacts, and benefits of organizational activities.
      4. Ensure that information is accessible, transparent, and provided in local languages when necessary.
    3. Continuous Communication and Collaboration
      1. Maintain regular dialogue with stakeholders through meetings, updates, and progress reports.
      2. Provide mechanisms for stakeholders to share concerns, suggestions, and feedback (e.g., grievance redress system or feedback portal).
      3. Foster partnerships with local institutions and community groups for co-management of environmental or social initiatives.
      4. Encourage participatory decision-making wherever feasible.
    4. Inclusion and Equity
      1. Ensure that all engagement processes are inclusive, gender-sensitive, and culturally appropriate.
      2. Give special consideration to vulnerable or underrepresented groups, including indigenous peoples, women, youth, and low-income communities.
      3. Avoid tokenism by ensuring that stakeholder participation leads to meaningful input in decision-making.
    5. Capacity Building and Support
      1. Support local stakeholders through training, education, and resource-sharing where relevant.
      2. Build internal capacity within the organization to conduct effective stakeholder engagement.
      3. Encourage staff and students to participate in community development programs, volunteering, and environmental initiatives.
  7. Monitoring and Reporting for Compliance
    1. Maintain documentation of all engagement activities, including minutes, feedback, and outcomes.
    2. Evaluate the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement annually using indicators such as:
      1. Number and diversity of stakeholders engaged;
      2. Frequency and type of engagement activities;
      3. Stakeholder satisfaction and responsiveness;
      4. Implementation of stakeholder feedback in decision-making.
    3. Report engagement outcomes and community impact in the Annual Sustainability Report.
    All departments, employees, contractors, and project teams must comply with this policy. Failure to engage appropriately with local stakeholders may result in project suspension, corrective actions, or contract termination, depending on the severity of non-compliance.
  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 provision 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.