Manulife Investment Management and Concordia University have signed a five year agreement that will allow a small group of top students each year to better understand the principles of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and how they work in a capital market environment.

The new Sustainable Investing Practicum, reportedly the first of its kind in Canada, runs from May to April, beginning in May 2020. The program will teach about 12 candidates each year. Participants will be part of an investment management committee that will take part in practical labs where they will interact in real time with Manulife’s Canadian fundamental equity team, making fund management recommendations based on ESG fundamentals. The group will also present in front of a supervision committee multiple times per year to get a sense of what it would be like to experience real life fund supervision.

In addition, the company says it will sponsor up to 12 Manulife Investment Management scholarships each year for top performers. Possible internships with Manulife will also be available through the program.

“We are very happy to partner with the John Molson School of Business, one of Canada’s top business schools, to bring the first comprehensive Sustainable Investing practicum to its students,” adds Richard Payette, president and CEO of Manuvie Québec. “We believe that our partnership will help these students become top performers in their field.”