SPJIMR and Standard Chartered Join Hands for a Cause
September 10, 2009

The DOCC Committee and HIV Champions organised the 'Living with Aids' Programme in association with Standard Chartered Bank. The occasion marked forging of a new alliance between SPJIMR and Standard Chartered Bank - the first in India. Hon. Dean Dr. M.L. Shrikant and Ms Geraldine Matchaba, Head Corporate Affairs (India) signed a pledge to further the spread of HIV/AIDS awarenessamongthe youth.

Affecting more than 33 million people the world over, HIV/AIDS remains a global killer, with no cure or vaccine. About 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 participants in and around Bhavans Campus. For this initiative, they intend to involve volunteers from SPJIMR, BCIDS, Bhavans College, SPIT and SPCE.

Working closely with the Clinton Global Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank aims to educate more than a million people on the topic by 2010. It has 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. To take the commitment forward, the Bank has signed 23 partners across the globe, whose target is to educate over 375,000 people.

SPJIMR is the Bank's 24th partner and India's first one. The Bank wi l l train SPJIMR participants who are nomenclatured HIV Champions. These HIV Champions will create awareness as peer educators through face-toface sessions. The training and material will be provided by the Bank and time required for conducting sessions is 16 hours. This contribution would be part of the commitment made by Standard Chartered Bank to Clinton Global Initiative to educate one million people on HIV/Aids by 2010.