Construction Mirror Article detail

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), a premier global management Institute, will establish the country’s first research chair in ESG in collaboration with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF), India’s sovereign linked alternative assets manager.

The newly formed ‘NIIF Chair in ESG at IIMA’ will work closely with the Arun Duggal ESG Centre for Research and Innovation at IIMA. It will function as the principal hub of knowledge and insights that allows businesses and policy makers incorporate ESG principles in their long-term business and governance decisions.

Some of the activities of the NIIF Chair in ESG at IIMA include -

·         Conducting research on crucial, globally relevant ESG issues

·         Engaging with Industry to create long-term ESG oriented business strategies and practices

·         Acting as a knowledge partner to Government(s) in relation to policy formulation

·         Engaging with international think tanks and agencies to create knowledge and experience sharing opportunities and platforms

Commenting on this decision and elaborating on the growing importance of ESG as a fundamental element for the industry, Professor Errol D’Souza, Director, IIMA said, “We are delighted to set up a Research Chair for ESG with NIIF. The industry is increasingly realizing the importance of recognising and incorporating ESG in their operations. There is a need for extensive research in the area and the designing of a frame of reference that can help Indian companies integrate ESG fundamentals in their business strategies and decisions in the long run. The research chair for ESG will work towards structuring and crafting a strategic roadmap for policy makers, practitioners, and students at the Institute to help plug in gaps in research and development in the area.”

NIIF believes it is crucial for fund managers tocreate a sustainable and responsible investment community to unlock significant value for stakeholders as well as the broader society. The setting up of the NIIF Chair in ESG at IIMA will help build an ecosystem of stakeholders and shape the future of adopting best practices in ESG in the country.

Commenting on this association and its long-term implications in supporting a climate sensitive, green economy, Mr Sujoy Bose, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NIIF, noted, “We are delighted to collaborate with IIM Ahmedabad in the area of ESG, which is core to our investment and asset management activities and approach. This collaboration complements NIIF’s ability to influence and activate a large ecosystem of infrastructure investors and partners, growing companies of national importance and Indian fund managers, with IIMA’s strong alumni network, rigorous academic approach and research capabilities. As India marches towards its Net Zero goals, we believe that the next leaders of industry will rise from a sound foundation of adopting best-in-class ESG practices. Strengthened by our partnership with IIMA, we hope to lead the conversation and actions around climate preservation and sustainable development.”

The appointment for the ‘NIIF Chair in ESG at IIMA’ position will be initiated through a public announcement inviting applications with details of eligibility criteria and process.  

IIMA recently inaugurated the Arun Duggal ESG Centre for Research and Innovation with the objective of establishing a Centre of Excellence to help Indian industries design and implement development strategies that are equally mindful and responsible towards societal prosperity and environment sustainability.

This collaboration between IIMA and NIIF has been facilitated by the IIMA Endowment Fund (IIMA EF) – the institute’s unified fundraising and philanthropic arm that facilitates all donations given to IIMA.

On facilitating the setting up of the country's first academic Chair in ESG at IIMA, Ms Chhavi Moodgal, CEO, IIMA EF said, “We are delighted to be a part of this process at IIMA. The ‘NIIF Chair in ESG at IIMA’ is a step towards the Institute’s efforts in furthering ESG awareness and consciousness in the Indian business landscape, and at the same time, exploring new and meaningful collaborations with important stakeholders such as the NIIF in the country.”