Karachi, 17 Oct 2023:The Aga Khan University (AKU) in Karachi has embarked on a significant expansion of its academic offerings with the inauguration of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). AKU’s Vice Provost, Dr. Anjum Halai, underscored the value of this initiative at a media roundtable, emphasizing that graduates from FAS are poised to be highly sought after in the job market.

Historically known for its medical and nursing programs, AKU’s FAS signals a transformative move into a broader educational domain, aiming to equip students with a world-class interdisciplinary education. Dr. Halai shared the University’s vision, stating, “Our students won’t search for jobs, but the job market will search them instead.”

Dean of FAS, Professor Stephen Lyon, provided insights into the curricula which span four major disciplines: Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Human and Environmental Biology; Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; and Social Development Studies. He emphasized that the curriculum promises to deliver an education that will seamlessly integrate diverse fields of study, preparing students for a dynamic and multifaceted job market.

The vision behind FAS’s creation is clear: to offer students in Pakistan an international-standard education without the need to go abroad. Dr. Halai highlighted the university’s unwavering commitment in securing a globally recognized teaching faculty and creating top-tier curricula for the FAS. With an advisory board that includes academic professionals from esteemed institutions like MIT and Brown University, the FAS is poised to maintain world-class educational standards.

In addition to undergraduate programs, Dr. Halai revealed that FAS’s faculty, which boasts a roster of Doctoral professionals, is also prepared to teach at the graduate and research levels, expanding opportunities for students in their academic journeys. This information was provided by the Aga Khan University.