Sustainable Investment Policy

Sustainable Investment Policy

Sustainable Investment Policy
Approved 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 Sustainable Investment” 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:
    The purpose of this policy is to:
    1. Ensure that SRHU’s investments support sustainable development and responsible business practices.
    2. Incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decision-making.
    3. Mitigate financial, environmental, and reputational risks.
    4. Promote transparency, accountability, and long-term financial stability.
  3. Scope:
    This policy applies to all financial investments made by SRHU, including but not limited to:
    1. Endowment and reserve funds.
    2. Fixed deposits and bonds.
    3. Equity and mutual fund investments (where applicable).
    4. Infrastructure and capital investments.
    5. Partnerships, joint ventures, and sponsored projects.
  4. Guiding Principles:
    SRHU’s sustainable investment approach shall be guided by the following principles:
    1. Financial Responsibility: Ensuring safety, liquidity, and reasonable returns on investments.
    2. Environmental Responsibility: Preference for investments that minimize environmental harm and promote climate-positive outcomes.
    3. Social Responsibility: Supporting entities that respect human rights, labor standards, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    4. Good Governance: Investing in organizations demonstrating ethical conduct, transparency, and strong governance structures.
    5. Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and statutory guidelines.
  5. Sustainable Investment Strategies:
    1. ESG Integration:
      SRHU shall consider ESG factors alongside financial metrics while evaluating investment opportunities, including:
      1. Environmental impact, energy use, emissions, and resource efficiency.
      2. Social impact, employee welfare, occupational health and safety, and community engagement.
      3. Governance practices, board structure, compliance, and ethical standards.
    2. Positive Screening:
      SRHU may give preference to investments in sectors or organizations that:
      1. Promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green technologies.
      2. Support healthcare, education, sustainable infrastructure, and social development.
      3. Demonstrate strong sustainability performance and disclosures.
    3. Negative / Exclusionary Screening:
      SRHU shall avoid or restrict investments in entities that are primarily involved in:
      1. Activities causing significant environmental degradation.
      2. Production or trade of hazardous substances banned under law.
      3. Violations of human rights, child labor, or forced labor.
      4. Corruption, fraud, or unethical business practices.
  6. Responsible Management of University Assets:
    1. Capital investments and infrastructure development shall incorporate life-cycle costing, energy efficiency, and environmental impact considerations.
    2. Preference shall be given to green buildings, sustainable materials, and low-carbon technologies.
    3. Investments shall align with SRHU’s Climate Action Policy and other sustainability policies.
  7. Governance and Oversight:
    1. The Finance Committee / Investment Committee of SRHU shall oversee the implementation of this policy.
    2. Sustainability considerations shall be incorporated into investment proposals and approval processes.
    3. Expert advice may be sought, where required, to assess ESG risks and opportunities.
  8. Risk Management:
    SRHU shall identify, assess, and manage financial and sustainability-related risks by:
    1. Diversifying investments to reduce exposure.
    2. Periodically reviewing investment performance and ESG compliance.
    3. Avoiding high-risk investments that may adversely impact the University’s reputation or sustainability commitments.
  9. Monitoring, Reporting, and Disclosure:
    1. Investments shall be reviewed periodically for financial performance and sustainability alignment.
    2. The University may disclose relevant sustainability-related investment information in its annual report, AQAR, or sustainability reports.
    3. Corrective actions may be taken in case of material non-compliance with this policy.
  10. Capacity Building and Awareness:
    SRHU shall encourage awareness and capacity building among relevant stakeholders by:
    1. Sensitizing decision-makers on sustainable finance and ESG principles.
    2. Promoting best practices in responsible investment.
    3. Encouraging research and academic engagement in sustainable finance.
  11. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.