SVKM’s NMIMS has signed an agreement with Societe Generale, an European banking and financial services company, to jointly conduct research in the area of impact-based finance solutions. As a part of PhD research sponsorship programme, scholars from NMIMS’ School of Business Management (SBM) will receive support from Societe Generale to research on developing blended finance as a tool to support various social enterprises. Societe Generale will bring its expertise in delivering sustainable solutions.
The objectives of this industry-academia collaboration will be to study the value chains providing access to healthcare, water, energy, and professional training. After a rigorous selection process, Swati Sisodia from SBM, NMIMS, has been selected as the first PhD scholar to work on the research project with Societe Generale. The project will focus on long-term revenue-generating solutions to help the country achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable finance models
Speaking on the collaboration, Dr Ramesh Bhat, Vice-Chancellor, SVKM’s NMIMS, said, “NMIMS is ensuring focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Through the partnership with Societe Generale, we have taken a step to further strengthen our PhD programme and offer scholars an opportunity to make a distinctive contribution to society.”
Toby Lawson, Chief Executive and Chief Country Officer, Societe Generale India, further added, “Through this partnership, we will explore how blended finance can help support various social enterprises and be used to make a bigger positive impact. Societe Generale is recognised for its ability to deliver sustainable solutions to its clients, whether corporates or financial institutions, and we’re delighted to partner with NMIMS, a leading university, to build together the solutions of tomorrow.”