Karachi, The Aga Khan University (AKU) recently hosted a significant meeting of its Board of Trustees at the University’s Stadium Road campus, marking the first gathering in Karachi since the onset of the pandemic. This meeting, attended by distinguished leaders from various global regions, including Princess Zahra Aga Khan, underscores AKU’s steadfast commitment to advancing education and healthcare in Pakistan and beyond.
According to The Aga Khan University, the 13-member Board of Trustees, appointed by AKU’s Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, comprises current and former leaders from renowned institutions across the world. President Sulaiman Shahabuddin commended the Board’s role in AKU’s four-decade journey, highlighting their strategic guidance in navigating changes across multiple sectors, which has been instrumental in shaping the university’s evolution.
In Pakistan, AKU has made significant contributions in healthcare and education, awarding 14,500 diplomas and degrees, with recent expansions to include the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The University’s Hospital annually treats 1.4 million patients and provides significant patient welfare to ensure access to advanced medical care for low-income patients. AKU’s response to last year’s floods in Pakistan, through medical camps providing free health services to over 400,000 people, exemplifies its commitment to community welfare.
A celebratory dinner in honor of the Trustees was attended by representatives of the Government of Sindh, diplomats, AKU donors, and partners, as well as leaders from Pakistan’s business and legal sectors. At this event, Princess Zahra Aga Khan acknowledged the contributions of the Board members, university supporters, and senior leaders, expressing gratitude on behalf of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Zakir Mahmood, and Trustee Naguib Kheraj spoke of AKU’s achievements and future aspirations, emphasizing the university’s growing capacity for impact. Trustee Afaf Meleis reflected on the significant advancements of AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, a testament to the university’s broader influence.
The meeting also previewed a forthcoming report by a commission of global leaders, appointed by His Highness the Aga Khan, to guide AKU’s future direction. Princess Zahra highlighted the Commission’s optimistic outlook for AKU’s continued contributions to a more peaceful, prosperous, and pluralist world.
This gathering of the AKU Board of Trustees not only celebrated past achievements but also set the stage for the university’s ongoing commitment to education, healthcare, and enlightened leadership in the years ahead.