Impact Investing

"Impact investing" is defined as investing with the intent to generate positive, measurable social and/or environmental benefits alongside a financial return. This represents a radical departure from "traditional investing" which is focused exclusively on (risk adjusted) financial performance. Interest in impact investing is growing around the world; Singapore has highlighted impact investing among the core set of competencies for professionals in the financial sector. To this end, this course provides students with a hands-on experience of impact investing as it is practiced in the market today.

The course has been developed in collaboration with leading impact investors who will support the course through guest lectures. To simulate the impact investing environment, student groups will work on an investment project spanning most of the course that requires applying concepts such as impact measurement and structuring investments. Broadly speaking, in the first half of the course we develop our understanding of the tools and frameworks used by impact investors; in the second half we apply those tools by examining case studies for potential investments.

Finally, there is a field trip to a farm in Johor during Recess Week, usually on rvlonday, to learn about nature-positive investments.