O.P. Jindal varsity launches online course in 'Impact investment'

O.P. Jindal Global University has launched a 4-week long online course in 'impact investment', aiming to train people in how to invest in companies to generate measurable social and environmental gains and at the same time earn from it too.

The course was launched on Thursday on FutureLearn (https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/impact-investing) -- Europe's leading online social learning platform -- by the Jindal Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship (JSiE) of the university.

"The power of impact investing lies in its ability to deliver both a positive social or environmental impact and a financial return. The objective of this online course is to offer virtual education to financial and social sector professionals or anyone interested to learn about the potential of impact investing without the restraints of a physical institution," the centre said in a statement.

One of the purposes of the course is to teach how to "make the world a better place in measurable ways", Jeremy Wade, one of the two who will conduct the course, said in a video on the centre's website.

The course has been co-created by JSiE & Asha Impact, one of India's leading impact funds and development think tanks and will carry video interviews with leading investors in the field like the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Acumen Fund, Omidyar Network, Grameen Capital, Aavishkaar and more, according to the centre.

Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, founding Vice Chancellor of the university, said: "JGU fosters and encourages a strong foundation for training programmes for social enterprises and social entrepreneurs. Universities have the social responsibility to make education more accessible."

Kartik Desai, Executive Director of Asha Impact, said: "What makes impact investing compelling is its potential to scale market-based solutions to social problems in partnership with government and industry."

Nigel Smith, MD of Courses and Learning at FutureLearn, said: "Positive social impact and strong financial returns don't always go hand-in-hand so it's important to celebrate examples of their harmony where they do coexist."

--IANS

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