More than 730 students in four countries graduated from the Aga Khan University on Saturday at ceremonies attended by, among others, Princess Zahra Aga Khan.
At ceremonies in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Pakistan, the graduates were awarded degrees in almost two dozen fields in nursing, medicine, education, journalism and the study of Muslim civilisations. Almost 70 percent of the members of the Class of 2023 are women.
In Uganda, a total of 106 students graduated from the Aga Khan University on Saturday at a ceremony that featured remarks by Princess Zahra and Jan Sadek, Ambassador of the European Union to Uganda
“It is a great pleasure to add my voice to the chorus of congratulations you are receiving today,” Ambassador Sadek said. “Today, Uganda is gaining men and women who will serve their fellow citizens as dedicated, ethical and compassionate leaders. This is a therefore a proud day not only for the graduates but for their country,” he said.
“On graduating, you return to a world that is full of daunting challenges but also of endless possibilities,” Princess Zahra Aga Khan said in Nairobi, speaking on behalf of AKU’s founder and Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan. “Continue to strive with courage and optimism to grasp opportunities to serve your communities and contribute to a more pluralistic and peaceful world.”
The graduates received degrees from AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery and Institute for Educational Development.
On March 16, 2023, AKU celebrated its 40th anniversary. Princess Zahra detailed some of the many achievements that have made the University’s 40th anniversary year one of the most consequential in its history. In Kampala, construction began on the University’s new 60-acre campus, which will feature an academic centre, student housing and a new Aga Khan University Hospital. Four new academic programmes welcomed their first students, increasing total enrollment to more than 3,600 for the first time in the University’s history.
These are the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme in Nairobi, the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing programmes in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in Karachi. In Tanzania, the University launched the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre. In Nairobi, the Aga Khan University Hospital implemented East Africa’s first integrated electronic health records system.
“We are hopeful that these new and continuing programmes and facilities will make AKU an increasingly powerful platform for the education of leaders, the creation of relevant knowledge and the delivery of world-class education and health care,” said Princess Zahra, who thanked the Government of Uganda for creating an enabling environment for the University.
AKU President and Vice Chancellor Sulaiman Shahabuddin called the day a “crowning moment” for the graduates, noting that the University has awarded nearly 20,000 diplomas, degrees and postgraduate certificates to date.
AKU President and Vice Chancellor Sulaiman Shahabuddin called the day a “crowning moment” for the graduates, noting that the University has awarded nearly 20,000 diplomas, degrees and postgraduate certificates to date.
He outlined the University’s plans for the future, which are contained in its new five-year strategic plan. They include launching close to a dozen new degree programmes in fields ranging from data science to teacher education; enhancing research capacity in mental health, climate change and other disciplines; expanding the AKU health system; deepening the University’s partnerships with public and private institutions at home and abroad; and continuing to earn new forms of academic and health care accreditation from leading international organizations.
“That AKU has been able to achieve so much across its four decades is above all thanks to its founder, Chancellor and chief benefactor, His Highness the Aga Khan,” President Shahabuddin said. “His Highness’s vision continues to guide us and continually inspire us with the strength to make bold decisions that keep AKU at the forefront of innovation, quality and impact.”
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“That AKU has been able to achieve so much across its four decades is above all thanks to its founder, Chancellor and chief benefactor, His Highness the Aga Khan,” President Shahabuddin said. “His Highness’s vision continues to guide us and continually inspire us with the strength to make bold decisions that keep AKU at the forefront of innovation, quality and impact.”
Mr. Alex Atuhaire, who received a distinction award for best student for exhibiting the Aga Khan University spirit of community service and impact, focused his research on new media business models based on content development and monetisation.
“We are looking to give leadership to media in the region to deal with sustainability in face of digitisation that has created new routes to the market, new challenges as well as massive opportunities,” said Mr Atuhaire, also a Media Viability Consultant.
Mr. Atuhaire says the www.thekampalareport.com start-up, a content creation media business model, was birthed in the EMMLI programme, during a module on leading media enterprises in a digital era taught by Aga Khan University journalism professors — Joseph Odindo, and Mark Briggs.
“Now that I have graduated, I will focus on implementation of my research findings through the www.thekampalareport.com news and content creation digital platform, but also focus on training more people as I am a already a tutor in the the Journalism and Media Department of Victoria University,” he said.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery conferred its Award of Excellence on Nabagereka Fauza, from the Post-RN Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Apio Eunice and Orishaba Catheline, from the Post-RM Bachelor of Science in Midwifery; and Chekwoti Stella, from the Diploma in General Nursing.
The Nairobi graduation was also attended by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and other dignitaries, including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Honorable Ezekiel Machogu, who read a speech by President of Kenya, His Excellency William Ruto.
“On graduating, you return to a world that is full of daunting challenges but also of endless possibilities,” Princess Zahra Aga Khan said in Nairobi, speaking on behalf of AKU’s founder and Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan. “Continue to strive with courage and optimism to grasp opportunities to serve your communities and contribute to a more pluralistic and peaceful world.”
I have great faith in this group of men and women,” Cabinet Secretary for Kenya’s Education Ministry Hon. Machogu said in remarks he shared on behalf of President Ruto. “The reason for my faith is simple: I know what the Aga Khan University stands for. It stands for high standards, access based on merit and service to society.”
