SPJIMR and Standard Chartered Bank Partnership for HIV AIDS Awareness

"DOCC Committee of SPJIMR and HIV Champions had organized the Living with Aids Program, in association with Standard Chartered Bank on 11 September, 2009. The occasion marked the forging of a new alliance between SPJIMR and Standard Chartered Bank; a first in India. The Honorable Dean Dr M L Shrikant and Geraldine Matchaba, Head of Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered, signed a pledge to further the spread of HIV/AIDS awareness among the youth. The pledge signing ceremony and initiation was followed by an interactive session and games.

Affecting over 33 million people the world over, HIV/AIDS remains a global killer, with no cure or vaccine. 6,800 new infections are reported each day, with 15-24 year-olds accounting for 45% of all new HIV infections. India is highly vulnerable to this threat. Keeping the magnitude of the problem in mind, the HIV Champions aim to create awareness among 8000 students in and around Bhavans Campus. For this initiative, the Champions shall involve volunteers from SPJIMR, BCIDS, Bhavans College, SPIT and SPCE.

Working closely with the Clinton Global Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank aims to educate over a million people on the topic by 2010. They have already educated half a million people. Globally, Standard Chartered Bank has two key partners – AIESEC and Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. Additionally to take the commitment forward, the Bank has signed on 23 partners across the globe, who are targeting educating over 375,000 people.

SP Jain Institute of Management and Research is the Bank’s 24th partnership and India’s first partnership. They will train a number of students - HIV Champions – on HIV/AIDS. The HIV Champions will invest 16 hours a year towards educating their peers. Also, these HIV Champions will deliver face-to-face workshops supplemented by a range of HIV education materials that cover the basic facts about the virus and are easily adapted to suit the needs of different audiences and cultures. Through this, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and Standard Chartered Bank have joined hands and volunteered for the noble cause of fighting the deadly disease together."