Aga Khan Hospital - Karachi - 4K Ultra HD - Karachi Street View
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBgyBMimBr4
Aga Khan University set to expand
Graduates urged to face challenges with courage and perseverance
Three hundred and fifty graduates celebrated the completion of their programmes at the Aga Khan University’s convocation ceremony on Saturday where they were urged to remember the importance of courage, perseverance and agility in the years to come. ​
The chief guest at the event, Dr Sania Nishtar, special assistant to Pakistan’s prime minister on social protection and poverty alleviation, spoke to the graduating class about integrity, or staying true to one’s moral principles. “The crux of my experience leads me to believe that in order to make lasting and sustainable change you have to root your actions in integrity.”
“It has become a bit cliché but the time-old adage of doing the right thing for the right reasons is something that you must hold very dear to your heart as you walk into the real world,” she stated.
The real world is beset by many challenges: widening inequities, demographic challenges, rapid urbanization and a context in which collusive behaviours are deeply entrenched. But such challenges also offer huge opportunity. For example, advancements in artificial intelligence and pharmacogenetics – the study of how genetics impact an individual’s response to medicine – are transforming medicine and today’s graduates have the opportunity to change the world dramatically.
In his welcome address, AKU President Firoz Rasul called on graduates to make the most of their education by embracing challenges and to never let setbacks hold them back from achieving their goals.
More...
https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Det ... EWS-001999
Three hundred and fifty graduates celebrated the completion of their programmes at the Aga Khan University’s convocation ceremony on Saturday where they were urged to remember the importance of courage, perseverance and agility in the years to come. ​
The chief guest at the event, Dr Sania Nishtar, special assistant to Pakistan’s prime minister on social protection and poverty alleviation, spoke to the graduating class about integrity, or staying true to one’s moral principles. “The crux of my experience leads me to believe that in order to make lasting and sustainable change you have to root your actions in integrity.”
“It has become a bit cliché but the time-old adage of doing the right thing for the right reasons is something that you must hold very dear to your heart as you walk into the real world,” she stated.
The real world is beset by many challenges: widening inequities, demographic challenges, rapid urbanization and a context in which collusive behaviours are deeply entrenched. But such challenges also offer huge opportunity. For example, advancements in artificial intelligence and pharmacogenetics – the study of how genetics impact an individual’s response to medicine – are transforming medicine and today’s graduates have the opportunity to change the world dramatically.
In his welcome address, AKU President Firoz Rasul called on graduates to make the most of their education by embracing challenges and to never let setbacks hold them back from achieving their goals.
More...
https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Det ... EWS-001999
Video: Rays of Light at AKU Karachi
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3W0yOgKfE
The Aga Khan University Karachi hosted the Rays of Light exhibition in 2018.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3W0yOgKfE
The Aga Khan University Karachi hosted the Rays of Light exhibition in 2018.
Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurates Centre for Innovation at AKU
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU7W_o9yaqo
Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurated the Aga Khan University (AKU) Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME), a state-of-the-art facility for technology-based learning for health professionals, on 15 December 2017.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU7W_o9yaqo
Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurated the Aga Khan University (AKU) Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME), a state-of-the-art facility for technology-based learning for health professionals, on 15 December 2017.
https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Det ... EWS-002027
East Africa campuses to introduce new academic programmes
Jan 16, 2020
The Aga Khan University will offer three new degree programmes in Kenya from August 2020: Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation; Master of Science in Advanced Practice Midwifery; and Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing.
The Commission for University Education, CUE, has given approval for these programmes attesting to AKU’s programmatic growth as it seeks to create leaders in professions and communities from where its students are drawn.
AKU’s Graduate School of Media and Communications, GSMC, will offer the Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation, a unique course that will support visionary leadership and enhance capacity to discover innovative solutions to current and future problems.
“Consultations with media leaders across East Africa reveal high level of interest in a master’s level programme, which focuses on capacity building for technology, business acumen, content development and improvement, visual and graphic development, linkages between traditional media outlets and digital platforms, and personnel management and infrastructures,” said Dr Alex Awiti, interim dean at GSMC.
Dr Awiti noted that there are very few programmes offering media management education and training across the globe, despite the real need for education in this area. In Africa, apart from the Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership at Rhodes University in South Africa (which offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Media Leadership), no other university in the continent offers specialised education for media executives.
“The Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation that AKU proposes to offer is designed to address the unique and complex challenges facing media in Kenya, East Africa and Africa,” Dr Awiti added. “The design of the program is informed by complementary programmes and activities offered by the Graduate School of Media and Communications.”
The two new advanced master’s programmes in nursing and midwifery will enable healthcare professionals to develop innovative, practical solutions to complex health problems from a scientific perspective.
“Advanced Practitioner Nurse, APN, roles are expanding globally as health workforces respond to 21st century health needs. As populations expand and age, governments are increasingly looking to the nursing workforce to meet health service demand and population needs,” said Dr Eunice Ndirangu, interim dean at AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. “The Advanced Practice programme we are proposing is a timely response to population health needs, healthcare costs and practitioners’ willingness to expand their scope of practice through enhanced responsibility, accountability and professional autonomy. The APN programme will be responsive to the health needs of the country and contribute towards achieving universal health coverage and the Big Four Agenda in Kenya.”
The proposed programme will be among the first of its kind in the region and will be benchmarked against national and international standards. It will foster and develop nurses who can deliver significant health outcomes for whole communities and contribute to the evidence base for approaches in their given fields of research and practice.
East Africa campuses to introduce new academic programmes
Jan 16, 2020
The Aga Khan University will offer three new degree programmes in Kenya from August 2020: Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation; Master of Science in Advanced Practice Midwifery; and Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing.
The Commission for University Education, CUE, has given approval for these programmes attesting to AKU’s programmatic growth as it seeks to create leaders in professions and communities from where its students are drawn.
AKU’s Graduate School of Media and Communications, GSMC, will offer the Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation, a unique course that will support visionary leadership and enhance capacity to discover innovative solutions to current and future problems.
“Consultations with media leaders across East Africa reveal high level of interest in a master’s level programme, which focuses on capacity building for technology, business acumen, content development and improvement, visual and graphic development, linkages between traditional media outlets and digital platforms, and personnel management and infrastructures,” said Dr Alex Awiti, interim dean at GSMC.
Dr Awiti noted that there are very few programmes offering media management education and training across the globe, despite the real need for education in this area. In Africa, apart from the Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership at Rhodes University in South Africa (which offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Media Leadership), no other university in the continent offers specialised education for media executives.
“The Executive Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation that AKU proposes to offer is designed to address the unique and complex challenges facing media in Kenya, East Africa and Africa,” Dr Awiti added. “The design of the program is informed by complementary programmes and activities offered by the Graduate School of Media and Communications.”
The two new advanced master’s programmes in nursing and midwifery will enable healthcare professionals to develop innovative, practical solutions to complex health problems from a scientific perspective.
“Advanced Practitioner Nurse, APN, roles are expanding globally as health workforces respond to 21st century health needs. As populations expand and age, governments are increasingly looking to the nursing workforce to meet health service demand and population needs,” said Dr Eunice Ndirangu, interim dean at AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. “The Advanced Practice programme we are proposing is a timely response to population health needs, healthcare costs and practitioners’ willingness to expand their scope of practice through enhanced responsibility, accountability and professional autonomy. The APN programme will be responsive to the health needs of the country and contribute towards achieving universal health coverage and the Big Four Agenda in Kenya.”
The proposed programme will be among the first of its kind in the region and will be benchmarked against national and international standards. It will foster and develop nurses who can deliver significant health outcomes for whole communities and contribute to the evidence base for approaches in their given fields of research and practice.
Pakistani healthcare simulation centre becomes South Asia’s first to receive prestigious accreditation
Karachi, Pakistan, 20 January 2020 - Aga Khan University’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education, CIME, has become South Asia’s first simulation-based educational institution to be accredited by the US-based Society for Simulation in Healthcare, SSIH.
The University’s CIME was judged to meet the highest standards in simulation-based education by the SSIH which has accredited over 170 centres in 19 countries around the world. The accreditation means that CIME will join a global community of practice bringing the latest advances in the field to Pakistan.
Simulation-based education represents a significant advance on traditional classroom and theory-based instruction. Designed to be an immersive ‘real world’ experience, simulation, in the field of healthcare, enables medical and nursing trainees and professionals to practice key skills and techniques, using virtual reality and high-fidelity patient mannequins, in a risk-free environment before working with patients.
CIME Director Charles Docherty, the Dr. Robert J. Buchanan Professor in Teaching and Technology, received the award during a ceremony in San Diego. In his speech at the event, he noted: “Healthcare is both an art and a science. While textbooks and teachers can teach concepts, simulation-based education augments the academic experience by challenging students to apply their knowledge and inter-personal skills in realistic settings.
“The result is that students feel more confident when they begin practicing as they are already familiar with the equipment to be used and the processes to be followed. This leads to a much better experience for students and patients.”
As a pioneer in healthcare simulation in Pakistan, the 80,000 square feet CIME is Pakistan’s only facility that enables aspiring doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals to work collaboratively on a range of challenging, technology-enhanced patient scenarios.
“CIME was founded with the vision of introducing state-of-the-art learning technologies to raise overall standards of healthcare education across Pakistan,” said AKU President Firoz Rasul. “There are simulation centres around the world that have been operating for decades without achieving accreditation from the SSIH. We are very proud that CIME has been able to achieve this distinction within two years of its formal inauguration.”
The CIME runs over 200 simulation-based courses, ranging from basic life-support to complex birth scenarios that have improved the skills of thousands of healthcare professionals to date.
“We’re pleased to recognise Aga Khan University’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education for meeting the highest standards in the practice of simulation in healthcare.” said Kristyn Gadlage, director of accreditation at the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. “Aga Khan University now joins the ranks of over 170 institutions from 19 countries.”
The CIME is open to students from other universities and healthcare institutions across Pakistan and is currently working with public sector bodies in the country as well as centres in Kenya, Uganda and Egypt on initiatives to raise the standard of simulation-based healthcare education.
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/paki ... restigious
Karachi, Pakistan, 20 January 2020 - Aga Khan University’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education, CIME, has become South Asia’s first simulation-based educational institution to be accredited by the US-based Society for Simulation in Healthcare, SSIH.
The University’s CIME was judged to meet the highest standards in simulation-based education by the SSIH which has accredited over 170 centres in 19 countries around the world. The accreditation means that CIME will join a global community of practice bringing the latest advances in the field to Pakistan.
Simulation-based education represents a significant advance on traditional classroom and theory-based instruction. Designed to be an immersive ‘real world’ experience, simulation, in the field of healthcare, enables medical and nursing trainees and professionals to practice key skills and techniques, using virtual reality and high-fidelity patient mannequins, in a risk-free environment before working with patients.
CIME Director Charles Docherty, the Dr. Robert J. Buchanan Professor in Teaching and Technology, received the award during a ceremony in San Diego. In his speech at the event, he noted: “Healthcare is both an art and a science. While textbooks and teachers can teach concepts, simulation-based education augments the academic experience by challenging students to apply their knowledge and inter-personal skills in realistic settings.
“The result is that students feel more confident when they begin practicing as they are already familiar with the equipment to be used and the processes to be followed. This leads to a much better experience for students and patients.”
As a pioneer in healthcare simulation in Pakistan, the 80,000 square feet CIME is Pakistan’s only facility that enables aspiring doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals to work collaboratively on a range of challenging, technology-enhanced patient scenarios.
“CIME was founded with the vision of introducing state-of-the-art learning technologies to raise overall standards of healthcare education across Pakistan,” said AKU President Firoz Rasul. “There are simulation centres around the world that have been operating for decades without achieving accreditation from the SSIH. We are very proud that CIME has been able to achieve this distinction within two years of its formal inauguration.”
The CIME runs over 200 simulation-based courses, ranging from basic life-support to complex birth scenarios that have improved the skills of thousands of healthcare professionals to date.
“We’re pleased to recognise Aga Khan University’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education for meeting the highest standards in the practice of simulation in healthcare.” said Kristyn Gadlage, director of accreditation at the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. “Aga Khan University now joins the ranks of over 170 institutions from 19 countries.”
The CIME is open to students from other universities and healthcare institutions across Pakistan and is currently working with public sector bodies in the country as well as centres in Kenya, Uganda and Egypt on initiatives to raise the standard of simulation-based healthcare education.
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/paki ... restigious
Universal health coverage possible if nurses and midwives play their pivotal role
Kampala, Uganda, 8 February 2020 - Evelyne Amulen, a midwifery graduate at Aga Khan University (AKU), went to great lengths to pursue her education. For two years, she travelled over 600 kilometres from Karamoja to Kampala twice a week to pursue undergraduate studies at AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
“If I didn’t get a boda boda, I would risk hitching a lift from trucks that carry marble stones. There was no space for me inside the vehicle so I would hang on for dear life. From Mbale, I would take a bus to Kampala, a journey that lasted another 12-14 hours,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Evelyne managed to complete her Bachelor of Science in Midwifery degree and emerged one of the top students in her class. She was among the 142 graduates who were conferred degrees at the Aga Khan University’s 17th convocation ceremony in Kampala. Sixty-eight graduated with diplomas in nursing, 30 with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, 23 with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and 21 with a Master of Education degree.
The Chief Guest at the convocation ceremony, Prof. Francis Omaswa, who is the Executive Director of the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation said, “The Year 2020 has been declared as the year of the nurse and midwife and so your graduation today makes it very special. This is unlikely to happen again soon.”
Prof Omaswa who was the chief guest at the convocation ceremony called on nurses and midwives to be at the forefront in service delivery and leadership, as part of the movement to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage, UHC.
“I am personally convinced that if this happens, with nurses and midwives leading integrated, people-centered primary healthcare here in Uganda, we will actually achieve UHC that leaves no one behind soonest, and with the currently available resources,” he said.
AKU President Firoz Rasul said the University’s aspiration is to improve the quality of life in Uganda through the provision of relevant education in medical sciences and education that will prepare youth to address the country’s health and education goals.
“The Aga Khan University’s programme to encourage teaching excellence within the University was recently accredited by Advance HE in the United Kingdom. We are the first university in Africa to earn such accreditation,” said AKU President Firoz Rasul.
Construction of AKU’s largest capital project in East Africa is underway in Kampala, Uganda. The 600-bed capacity Aga Khan University Hospital and Academic Centre will transform the country’s health system through delivery of international-quality care and enable access for low- income individuals. As a teaching hospital, it will educate outstanding health professionals and support research that helps solve Uganda’s health challenges.
Graduates applauded AKU for providing quality education and vowed to be change agents in their communities and in the country’s health workforce.
“It is in our mandate to design and create the future of nursing and our creation will be the inheritance of the next generation. In this era, we need to create education policies, systems and structures that are symbiotic and generic to our profession,” said Valedictorian Ndawula Paddy, a nursing diploma graduate.
Academic awards were presented to the best students: Bakkabulindi Patrick, a Bachelor of Nursing graduate was the top student achieving a GPA of 4.93; Everlyne Amulen, a Bachelor of Midwifery graduate had a GPA of 4.91 and Mutoni Suhamu, a Diploma in General Nursing had a GPA of 4.79.
The convocation ceremony was attended by diplomats, families of graduating students, AKU faculty and staff members.
Link to photos and video clips here.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/fold ... YFzOXVJ37q
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/univ ... votal-role
Kampala, Uganda, 8 February 2020 - Evelyne Amulen, a midwifery graduate at Aga Khan University (AKU), went to great lengths to pursue her education. For two years, she travelled over 600 kilometres from Karamoja to Kampala twice a week to pursue undergraduate studies at AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
“If I didn’t get a boda boda, I would risk hitching a lift from trucks that carry marble stones. There was no space for me inside the vehicle so I would hang on for dear life. From Mbale, I would take a bus to Kampala, a journey that lasted another 12-14 hours,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Evelyne managed to complete her Bachelor of Science in Midwifery degree and emerged one of the top students in her class. She was among the 142 graduates who were conferred degrees at the Aga Khan University’s 17th convocation ceremony in Kampala. Sixty-eight graduated with diplomas in nursing, 30 with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, 23 with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and 21 with a Master of Education degree.
The Chief Guest at the convocation ceremony, Prof. Francis Omaswa, who is the Executive Director of the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation said, “The Year 2020 has been declared as the year of the nurse and midwife and so your graduation today makes it very special. This is unlikely to happen again soon.”
Prof Omaswa who was the chief guest at the convocation ceremony called on nurses and midwives to be at the forefront in service delivery and leadership, as part of the movement to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage, UHC.
“I am personally convinced that if this happens, with nurses and midwives leading integrated, people-centered primary healthcare here in Uganda, we will actually achieve UHC that leaves no one behind soonest, and with the currently available resources,” he said.
AKU President Firoz Rasul said the University’s aspiration is to improve the quality of life in Uganda through the provision of relevant education in medical sciences and education that will prepare youth to address the country’s health and education goals.
“The Aga Khan University’s programme to encourage teaching excellence within the University was recently accredited by Advance HE in the United Kingdom. We are the first university in Africa to earn such accreditation,” said AKU President Firoz Rasul.
Construction of AKU’s largest capital project in East Africa is underway in Kampala, Uganda. The 600-bed capacity Aga Khan University Hospital and Academic Centre will transform the country’s health system through delivery of international-quality care and enable access for low- income individuals. As a teaching hospital, it will educate outstanding health professionals and support research that helps solve Uganda’s health challenges.
Graduates applauded AKU for providing quality education and vowed to be change agents in their communities and in the country’s health workforce.
“It is in our mandate to design and create the future of nursing and our creation will be the inheritance of the next generation. In this era, we need to create education policies, systems and structures that are symbiotic and generic to our profession,” said Valedictorian Ndawula Paddy, a nursing diploma graduate.
Academic awards were presented to the best students: Bakkabulindi Patrick, a Bachelor of Nursing graduate was the top student achieving a GPA of 4.93; Everlyne Amulen, a Bachelor of Midwifery graduate had a GPA of 4.91 and Mutoni Suhamu, a Diploma in General Nursing had a GPA of 4.79.
The convocation ceremony was attended by diplomats, families of graduating students, AKU faculty and staff members.
Link to photos and video clips here.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/fold ... YFzOXVJ37q
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/univ ... votal-role
https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National ... index.html
Aga Khan to open modern teaching hospital in Uganda
Monday February 10 2020
In Summary
Aga Khan University is an international university and part of the Aga Khan Development Network with campuses and programmes in three continents.
The university continues to build on its growing reputation for the quality of its programmes in its ability to undertake problem-based planning and its roles as an agent of change through innovation and research.
------------------
By Arthur Arnold Wadero
The Aga Khan University (AKU) President, Mr Firoz Rasul, has revealed plans to open up a hospital in Uganda.
The hospital will provide a wide range of international standard medical services in the country.
“The hospital is AKU’s largest capital project in East Africa. It will be a transformative force in the Ugandan healthcare. It will deliver international-quality care in the fields ranging from obstetrics to oncology.
“Its patient welfare programme will enable access for low income individuals. As a teaching hospital, it will educate outstanding professionals and support research that helps solve Uganda’s health challenges,” he added.
Mr Rasul was speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony at Kampala Serena Hotel, where 142 graduates were awarded degrees and diplomas on Saturday.
“We will also construct an academic building and student housing thanks to the generous support of BMZ, the German ministry for economic cooperation and development, and KFW, the German Development Bank as well as numerous private donors around the world. This will allow us to educate not only doctors, nurses and midwives but also journalists, communicators and teachers,” he said.
“Last year, the Aga Khan University was named one of the 100 universities in the world offering clinical medicine by the Shangai Ranking of World University to greater heights. Last year alone we signed or reviewed partnership agreements with the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary in Canada and the NOVA University of Lisbon in Portugal and the University of Washington and Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Centre in the United States,” he added.
Communication school grows
“Our Graduate School of Media and Communications is partnering with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government to offer a joint course in adaptive leadership.
The AKU institute for the study of Muslim civilisation in London now offers a duo-degree with Columbia University in New York,” Mr Rasul said.
The chief guest at the convocation ceremony, Prof Francis Omaswa, the Executive Director of African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation, welcomed the plan to open up the hospital in Uganda.
He called on nurses and midwives to lead service delivery and leadership as part of the movement to achieve the sustainable development goals and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“I am personally convinced that if this happens with the nurses and midwives leading integrated people-centered primary healthcare here in Uganda, we will actually achieve UHC, that leaves no one behind soonest and with the currently available resources,” Prof Omaswa said.
Mr Paddy Ndawula, who spoke on behalf of the graduating class, asked colleagues and all those present at the convocation ceremony to pay respect to those that had passed away during the course of study.
“…pay respects to Aisha Namutebi, Alex Kinyera, Kyakuhaire Sharon, our classmates and alumna, the commissioner for nursing Mrs Petua Olobo Kiboko who passed away,” Mr Ndawula said.
The convocation had 68 graduates with diplomas in nursing, 30 with Bachelor of science in nursing degrees, 23 with Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and 21 with Master’s of education degrees.
Mr Patrick Bakkabulindi was top of the graduating class with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93 in Bachelor of Nursing. He was followed by Ms Evelyn Amulen with CGPA of 4.91 in Bachelor of Midwifery and Ms Mutoni Suhamu, who scored CGPA of 4.79 in Diploma in General Nursing.
Aga Khan university
Aga Khan University is an international university and part of the Aga Khan Development Network with campuses and programmes in three continents. The university continues to build on its growing reputation for the quality of its programmes in its ability to undertake problem-based planning and its roles as an agent of change through innovation and research.
Aga Khan to open modern teaching hospital in Uganda
Monday February 10 2020
In Summary
Aga Khan University is an international university and part of the Aga Khan Development Network with campuses and programmes in three continents.
The university continues to build on its growing reputation for the quality of its programmes in its ability to undertake problem-based planning and its roles as an agent of change through innovation and research.
------------------
By Arthur Arnold Wadero
The Aga Khan University (AKU) President, Mr Firoz Rasul, has revealed plans to open up a hospital in Uganda.
The hospital will provide a wide range of international standard medical services in the country.
“The hospital is AKU’s largest capital project in East Africa. It will be a transformative force in the Ugandan healthcare. It will deliver international-quality care in the fields ranging from obstetrics to oncology.
“Its patient welfare programme will enable access for low income individuals. As a teaching hospital, it will educate outstanding professionals and support research that helps solve Uganda’s health challenges,” he added.
Mr Rasul was speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony at Kampala Serena Hotel, where 142 graduates were awarded degrees and diplomas on Saturday.
“We will also construct an academic building and student housing thanks to the generous support of BMZ, the German ministry for economic cooperation and development, and KFW, the German Development Bank as well as numerous private donors around the world. This will allow us to educate not only doctors, nurses and midwives but also journalists, communicators and teachers,” he said.
“Last year, the Aga Khan University was named one of the 100 universities in the world offering clinical medicine by the Shangai Ranking of World University to greater heights. Last year alone we signed or reviewed partnership agreements with the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary in Canada and the NOVA University of Lisbon in Portugal and the University of Washington and Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Centre in the United States,” he added.
Communication school grows
“Our Graduate School of Media and Communications is partnering with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government to offer a joint course in adaptive leadership.
The AKU institute for the study of Muslim civilisation in London now offers a duo-degree with Columbia University in New York,” Mr Rasul said.
The chief guest at the convocation ceremony, Prof Francis Omaswa, the Executive Director of African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation, welcomed the plan to open up the hospital in Uganda.
He called on nurses and midwives to lead service delivery and leadership as part of the movement to achieve the sustainable development goals and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“I am personally convinced that if this happens with the nurses and midwives leading integrated people-centered primary healthcare here in Uganda, we will actually achieve UHC, that leaves no one behind soonest and with the currently available resources,” Prof Omaswa said.
Mr Paddy Ndawula, who spoke on behalf of the graduating class, asked colleagues and all those present at the convocation ceremony to pay respect to those that had passed away during the course of study.
“…pay respects to Aisha Namutebi, Alex Kinyera, Kyakuhaire Sharon, our classmates and alumna, the commissioner for nursing Mrs Petua Olobo Kiboko who passed away,” Mr Ndawula said.
The convocation had 68 graduates with diplomas in nursing, 30 with Bachelor of science in nursing degrees, 23 with Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and 21 with Master’s of education degrees.
Mr Patrick Bakkabulindi was top of the graduating class with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93 in Bachelor of Nursing. He was followed by Ms Evelyn Amulen with CGPA of 4.91 in Bachelor of Midwifery and Ms Mutoni Suhamu, who scored CGPA of 4.79 in Diploma in General Nursing.
Aga Khan university
Aga Khan University is an international university and part of the Aga Khan Development Network with campuses and programmes in three continents. The university continues to build on its growing reputation for the quality of its programmes in its ability to undertake problem-based planning and its roles as an agent of change through innovation and research.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJK6npHoYXQ
Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
Mahnoor Ahmed is driven by an insatiable curiosity for the world around her. From her fascination with cloning to the passion with which she educates others, she believes that conceptual learning is the key to success as a student and later in life. Mahnoor’s school is working with the Aga Khan University’s Examination Board to offer the best academic standards to students like Mahnoor.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJK6npHoYXQ
Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
Mahnoor Ahmed is driven by an insatiable curiosity for the world around her. From her fascination with cloning to the passion with which she educates others, she believes that conceptual learning is the key to success as a student and later in life. Mahnoor’s school is working with the Aga Khan University’s Examination Board to offer the best academic standards to students like Mahnoor.
Kenya's first locally-trained digital journalists awarded degrees
AKU’s Master in Digital Journalism is a first in East Africa.
Nairobi, Kenya, 12 February 2020 - Ten journalists have graduated with a master’s degree in digital journalism, the first programme of its kind in Kenya and East Africa at the Aga Khan University’s 16th convocation in Kenya.
A total of 93 students received diplomas and degrees in oncology nursing, nursing, medicine, education and digital journalism at the convocation on Wednesday.
In his opening address at the ceremony in Nairobi, AKU President Firoz Rasul said the University is evolving to meet the demands of a changing world, and to deliver on its mission of improving quality of life in Africa.
“As of today, the number of Kenyans who have graduated from AKU stands at more than 1,500. From Mombasa to Turkana to Nairobi, they are leading change as educators, clinicians, entrepreneurs, advocates, public servants, and policymakers. And now, with the awarding of our first master’s degrees in digital journalism, they will be making their mark in the media sector as well,” Mr Rasul said.
Speaking about the impact of her degree, Julian Kamau, citizen journalism editor at the Standard Group said: “This course has helped open up my mind to the different possibilities in media. I have utilised the different skills acquired during the training and I am looking to better put what I have learned into practice.”
Another graduate, Kenneth Kipruto, news editor at the Standard newspaper added: “As a newspaper editor, I no longer think of the stories as just for print but for the website too. I can proudly say that thanks to the course, I can do a story for TV and radio.”
The Aga Khan University recently introduced three new master’s degrees, in nursing, midwifery, and media leadership and innovation at its campus in Kenya. It is also establishing a Centre for Cancer Research to develop treatments specifically for East Africa’s population, and will soon commence the construction of a Children’s Specialty Hospital in Nairobi to provide advanced paediatric care. Construction of the University Centre in Nairobi is underway and will provide cutting-edge learning and research spaces for students and faculty.
In his speech, chief guest Dr. Rashid Aman, chief administrative secretary at Kenya’s Ministry of Health applauded AKU for being an outstanding institution of higher education and healthcare delivery in Kenya.
“Your expansion of molecular imaging and oncology services in the recent past, are of particular importance to government as they provide an opportunity to increase access to specialised healthcare in this region, making Kenya a medical tourism hub in line with the country’s vision 2030,” Dr Aman said.
A total of 93 graduates were awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines: 12 graduated with a Diploma in Oncology Nursing, 28 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 26 with a Master of Medicine, 17 with a Master of Education, and 10 with a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism.
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/keny ... ed-degrees
AKU’s Master in Digital Journalism is a first in East Africa.
Nairobi, Kenya, 12 February 2020 - Ten journalists have graduated with a master’s degree in digital journalism, the first programme of its kind in Kenya and East Africa at the Aga Khan University’s 16th convocation in Kenya.
A total of 93 students received diplomas and degrees in oncology nursing, nursing, medicine, education and digital journalism at the convocation on Wednesday.
In his opening address at the ceremony in Nairobi, AKU President Firoz Rasul said the University is evolving to meet the demands of a changing world, and to deliver on its mission of improving quality of life in Africa.
“As of today, the number of Kenyans who have graduated from AKU stands at more than 1,500. From Mombasa to Turkana to Nairobi, they are leading change as educators, clinicians, entrepreneurs, advocates, public servants, and policymakers. And now, with the awarding of our first master’s degrees in digital journalism, they will be making their mark in the media sector as well,” Mr Rasul said.
Speaking about the impact of her degree, Julian Kamau, citizen journalism editor at the Standard Group said: “This course has helped open up my mind to the different possibilities in media. I have utilised the different skills acquired during the training and I am looking to better put what I have learned into practice.”
Another graduate, Kenneth Kipruto, news editor at the Standard newspaper added: “As a newspaper editor, I no longer think of the stories as just for print but for the website too. I can proudly say that thanks to the course, I can do a story for TV and radio.”
The Aga Khan University recently introduced three new master’s degrees, in nursing, midwifery, and media leadership and innovation at its campus in Kenya. It is also establishing a Centre for Cancer Research to develop treatments specifically for East Africa’s population, and will soon commence the construction of a Children’s Specialty Hospital in Nairobi to provide advanced paediatric care. Construction of the University Centre in Nairobi is underway and will provide cutting-edge learning and research spaces for students and faculty.
In his speech, chief guest Dr. Rashid Aman, chief administrative secretary at Kenya’s Ministry of Health applauded AKU for being an outstanding institution of higher education and healthcare delivery in Kenya.
“Your expansion of molecular imaging and oncology services in the recent past, are of particular importance to government as they provide an opportunity to increase access to specialised healthcare in this region, making Kenya a medical tourism hub in line with the country’s vision 2030,” Dr Aman said.
A total of 93 graduates were awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines: 12 graduated with a Diploma in Oncology Nursing, 28 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 26 with a Master of Medicine, 17 with a Master of Education, and 10 with a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism.
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/keny ... ed-degrees
Former Tanzanian President calls for servant leadership among youth
Former Tanzanian president His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa has called for decisive and servant leadership among the youth, saying that national service is essential to the unity of the people.
President Mkapa made the remarks at Aga Khan University’s 15th convocation ceremony held at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam. A total of 27 students were conferred degrees: 22 received master’s degrees in education while five received master’s degrees in medicine.
“If there is one thing that I believe has defined my career both within government and outside it, it is concern for the common person. Nothing disturbs me more than to see those who have little victimised by those who have much,” President Mkapa said.
He referred to the Founding Father H.E Julius Nyerere’s leadership style, saying he saw the importance of consulting widely and listening carefully before making decisions.
“We must put the monarchical style of leadership behind us. Its time has passed. Our country is diverse and pluralistic, and our world is even more so. It is only proper that we lead in a consultative manner,” His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa said.
The Aga Khan University has equipped nearly 3,000 educators in East Africa with new strategies for enhancing teaching and learning, which has led to better learning outcomes for more than 100,000 students in public and private schools.
In Mwanza, the University together with other agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) are working with the government to enhance reproductive, maternal and newborn care in 80 public health facilities.
More...
https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Det ... EWS-002047
******
VIDEO: Our Growing Family | Tanzania Convocation 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9vHa0N ... e=emb_logo
Former Tanzanian president His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa has called for decisive and servant leadership among the youth, saying that national service is essential to the unity of the people.
President Mkapa made the remarks at Aga Khan University’s 15th convocation ceremony held at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam. A total of 27 students were conferred degrees: 22 received master’s degrees in education while five received master’s degrees in medicine.
“If there is one thing that I believe has defined my career both within government and outside it, it is concern for the common person. Nothing disturbs me more than to see those who have little victimised by those who have much,” President Mkapa said.
He referred to the Founding Father H.E Julius Nyerere’s leadership style, saying he saw the importance of consulting widely and listening carefully before making decisions.
“We must put the monarchical style of leadership behind us. Its time has passed. Our country is diverse and pluralistic, and our world is even more so. It is only proper that we lead in a consultative manner,” His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa said.
The Aga Khan University has equipped nearly 3,000 educators in East Africa with new strategies for enhancing teaching and learning, which has led to better learning outcomes for more than 100,000 students in public and private schools.
In Mwanza, the University together with other agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) are working with the government to enhance reproductive, maternal and newborn care in 80 public health facilities.
More...
https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Det ... EWS-002047
******
VIDEO: Our Growing Family | Tanzania Convocation 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9vHa0N ... e=emb_logo
Welcome, Karibu and Khush Aamdeed to AKU’s new mascot!
The University family has a new member who’s been living a hidden life on campus for two years. Following the grand unveiling as our mascot, our spotted, four-legged companion is finally able to emerge from under the covers.
Our mascot spared some time for us after munching on a keema samosa and a juicy meatball to open up on the choice of AKU as a new home and habitat.
Where have you been all this time?
I’ve been prowling around your campuses for the last two years. You may have noticed the paw prints or a sudden bulge in your ‘Something Big Is Coming’ banners. That’s where I’d be when I wasn’t in a bush or a tree.
Why did you decide to come to AKU?
I had a lovely life in sunny Nairobi National Park but I’m not like most leopards. My heritage is diverse with my ancestors coming from the mountains of Pakistan, the grasslands of East Africa and even London Zoo!
They say a leopard never changes its spots but that’s not me as I’m always on the look-out for something new. When I heard AKU was looking for a mascot, I was so excited that every part of me: my tail, my ears and even my whiskers stood on end!
It was a chance to visit six countries and see what student life is really like! I’ve never been to Uganda or London and the chance to sample some local antelope and fish and chips was another plus! Another thing: AKU is so green and open that I never miss home.
Tell us something about yourself? Something fun.
I come out green in pictures which means that people at our London campus think I’m Irish. The truth is I’m not Irish, I’m Spottish! Besides that you can certainly trust me, I’m no cheat-ah. Plus, I’m honest so you’ll never catch me li-on.
On a more serious note, like all leopards, I’m fast and always up for a race. What few people realise is that my speed means I quickly get over obstacles and I always strive to move ahead regardless of the odds. Also, I love swimming, running, and all kinds of wildlife.
You’re finally out in the open. How does that feel?
I feel like a celebrity! I’m on caps, shirts, keychains and some people are sticking me on their car bumpers too! It’s great to be the centre of attention after being under wraps for so long. Now I’m looking forward to getting my own name.
Now that you’re famous, what should we call you?
Well, some people call me a trademark, most people a mascot. When I’m around the Office of the Dean of Students, they call me a symbol of the University spirit.
Mostly though people just want to pet me rather than talk to me. I’d like a name that is as vibrant and fun as your students. Just don’t call me Simba or Mufasa, please!
Who brought you here?
You can thank the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) for thinking about me and convincing me to come here. The Office of Communications and Design Office have put up with me and even put me up on every campus and I hear that our President is also a fan.
When will we see you next?
All the sports teams will have me on their back, I’m sure my spirit will push them to even greater heights. I’ll be at all student events and, because I’m one of the most adaptable species, you’ll see me involved in everything relating to the student experience.
If you want to catch a hold of me, just get in touch with ODOS. They usually know where I am.
https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Det ... EWS-001954
******
Unveiling of our mascot: the AKU Leopard
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy7h_jn ... e=emb_logo
The University family has a new member who’s been hiding across all campuses. Following the grand unveiling as our mascot, the AKU Leopard is finally able to emerge from under the covers. Like the AKU Community, the AKU Leopard stand​s for Courage, Agility and Perseverance
The University family has a new member who’s been living a hidden life on campus for two years. Following the grand unveiling as our mascot, our spotted, four-legged companion is finally able to emerge from under the covers.
Our mascot spared some time for us after munching on a keema samosa and a juicy meatball to open up on the choice of AKU as a new home and habitat.
Where have you been all this time?
I’ve been prowling around your campuses for the last two years. You may have noticed the paw prints or a sudden bulge in your ‘Something Big Is Coming’ banners. That’s where I’d be when I wasn’t in a bush or a tree.
Why did you decide to come to AKU?
I had a lovely life in sunny Nairobi National Park but I’m not like most leopards. My heritage is diverse with my ancestors coming from the mountains of Pakistan, the grasslands of East Africa and even London Zoo!
They say a leopard never changes its spots but that’s not me as I’m always on the look-out for something new. When I heard AKU was looking for a mascot, I was so excited that every part of me: my tail, my ears and even my whiskers stood on end!
It was a chance to visit six countries and see what student life is really like! I’ve never been to Uganda or London and the chance to sample some local antelope and fish and chips was another plus! Another thing: AKU is so green and open that I never miss home.
Tell us something about yourself? Something fun.
I come out green in pictures which means that people at our London campus think I’m Irish. The truth is I’m not Irish, I’m Spottish! Besides that you can certainly trust me, I’m no cheat-ah. Plus, I’m honest so you’ll never catch me li-on.
On a more serious note, like all leopards, I’m fast and always up for a race. What few people realise is that my speed means I quickly get over obstacles and I always strive to move ahead regardless of the odds. Also, I love swimming, running, and all kinds of wildlife.
You’re finally out in the open. How does that feel?
I feel like a celebrity! I’m on caps, shirts, keychains and some people are sticking me on their car bumpers too! It’s great to be the centre of attention after being under wraps for so long. Now I’m looking forward to getting my own name.
Now that you’re famous, what should we call you?
Well, some people call me a trademark, most people a mascot. When I’m around the Office of the Dean of Students, they call me a symbol of the University spirit.
Mostly though people just want to pet me rather than talk to me. I’d like a name that is as vibrant and fun as your students. Just don’t call me Simba or Mufasa, please!
Who brought you here?
You can thank the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) for thinking about me and convincing me to come here. The Office of Communications and Design Office have put up with me and even put me up on every campus and I hear that our President is also a fan.
When will we see you next?
All the sports teams will have me on their back, I’m sure my spirit will push them to even greater heights. I’ll be at all student events and, because I’m one of the most adaptable species, you’ll see me involved in everything relating to the student experience.
If you want to catch a hold of me, just get in touch with ODOS. They usually know where I am.
https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Det ... EWS-001954
******
Unveiling of our mascot: the AKU Leopard
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy7h_jn ... e=emb_logo
The University family has a new member who’s been hiding across all campuses. Following the grand unveiling as our mascot, the AKU Leopard is finally able to emerge from under the covers. Like the AKU Community, the AKU Leopard stand​s for Courage, Agility and Perseverance
Event
MAR 26 - The Aga Khan University Research Day
The event is an opportunity to find out more about the wide variety of research currently taking place across the University.
About this Event
Join us for the first Aga Khan University Research Day, hosted by the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) and held in the Aga Khan Centre, London on 26 March 2020.
Research Day is an opportunity to find out more about the wide variety of research currently taking place across the University. The upcoming event focuses on the work of the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. The day will include lectures from our leading scholars, information about our publications and Masters programme as well as the chance to network with scholars and students.
During the day, presentations will address research about Muslim youth, material culture and archaeology, migration and state regulations, access to health care and water, environmental change, digital humanities project KITAB, familialism and religion in Turkey, and cultural creativity.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day.
Register:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-aga- ... 4655002661
MAR 26 - The Aga Khan University Research Day
The event is an opportunity to find out more about the wide variety of research currently taking place across the University.
About this Event
Join us for the first Aga Khan University Research Day, hosted by the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) and held in the Aga Khan Centre, London on 26 March 2020.
Research Day is an opportunity to find out more about the wide variety of research currently taking place across the University. The upcoming event focuses on the work of the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. The day will include lectures from our leading scholars, information about our publications and Masters programme as well as the chance to network with scholars and students.
During the day, presentations will address research about Muslim youth, material culture and archaeology, migration and state regulations, access to health care and water, environmental change, digital humanities project KITAB, familialism and religion in Turkey, and cultural creativity.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day.
Register:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-aga- ... 4655002661
Columbia University & AKU announce a unique dual master’s degree
The MoU was signed by Ira Katznelson, Columbia University’s Interim Provost and Dr Carl Amrhein, AKU’s Provost and Vice President, Academic.
Columbia University’s Middle East Institute in New York and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (ISMC) in London signed an agreement at Columbia University to mark the launch of their dual master’s degree.
The unique two-and-a-half-year degree brings together two of the world’s leading universities and gives students the opportunity to study a topic of global significance while based in London and New York – two of the world’s most diverse and multicultural cities.
“This partnership will foster the development of the theoretical and practical perspectives needed to understand how Muslim societies are responding to pressing global challenges,” said Ira Katznelson, Columbia University’s Interim Provost and Ruggles Professor of Political Science and History. “At this moment in history, such an endeavor is especially important.”
Dr Carl Amrhein, AKU’s Provost and Vice President, Academic, remarked that the world was changing at breakneck speed, and more than ever there was an urgent need to educate our future leaders to have a deep and nuanced understanding of issues that relate to Muslim civilisations. “This master’s degree will shape our students into professionals who can offer society clear and thoughtful insight and guidance on important and complex issues facing this generation,” he said.
At the event, Professor Leif Stenberg, Dean of ISMC, said that the partnership between “two of the greatest authorities on Muslim civilisations” represents the importance of offering broad and in-depth academic experience in this area. “Each institution brings its own history and unique perspective to bear, and students will benefit from studying in two of the world’s greatest and inclusive cities. This programme will challenge and guide our students to develop critical thinking research and leadership skills which will help them make a positive contribution in a wide range of vocations,” he added.
Columbia University and AKU have jointly developed an advanced curriculum for the programme that includes a two-and-a-half-year sequence of reading and research seminars, interdisciplinary electives, and intensive foreign language training. Students will benefit from new cross-disciplinary frameworks and tools to understand Muslim cultures in a comparative and world-historical context, equipping them to engage creatively and critically with the opportunities and challenges faced by Muslim societies today.
The MoU was signed by Ira Katznelson and Dr Carl Amrhein.​​
https://www.aku.edu/news/pages/News_Det ... EWS-002096
The MoU was signed by Ira Katznelson, Columbia University’s Interim Provost and Dr Carl Amrhein, AKU’s Provost and Vice President, Academic.
Columbia University’s Middle East Institute in New York and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (ISMC) in London signed an agreement at Columbia University to mark the launch of their dual master’s degree.
The unique two-and-a-half-year degree brings together two of the world’s leading universities and gives students the opportunity to study a topic of global significance while based in London and New York – two of the world’s most diverse and multicultural cities.
“This partnership will foster the development of the theoretical and practical perspectives needed to understand how Muslim societies are responding to pressing global challenges,” said Ira Katznelson, Columbia University’s Interim Provost and Ruggles Professor of Political Science and History. “At this moment in history, such an endeavor is especially important.”
Dr Carl Amrhein, AKU’s Provost and Vice President, Academic, remarked that the world was changing at breakneck speed, and more than ever there was an urgent need to educate our future leaders to have a deep and nuanced understanding of issues that relate to Muslim civilisations. “This master’s degree will shape our students into professionals who can offer society clear and thoughtful insight and guidance on important and complex issues facing this generation,” he said.
At the event, Professor Leif Stenberg, Dean of ISMC, said that the partnership between “two of the greatest authorities on Muslim civilisations” represents the importance of offering broad and in-depth academic experience in this area. “Each institution brings its own history and unique perspective to bear, and students will benefit from studying in two of the world’s greatest and inclusive cities. This programme will challenge and guide our students to develop critical thinking research and leadership skills which will help them make a positive contribution in a wide range of vocations,” he added.
Columbia University and AKU have jointly developed an advanced curriculum for the programme that includes a two-and-a-half-year sequence of reading and research seminars, interdisciplinary electives, and intensive foreign language training. Students will benefit from new cross-disciplinary frameworks and tools to understand Muslim cultures in a comparative and world-historical context, equipping them to engage creatively and critically with the opportunities and challenges faced by Muslim societies today.
The MoU was signed by Ira Katznelson and Dr Carl Amrhein.​​
https://www.aku.edu/news/pages/News_Det ... EWS-002096
Support AKU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.aku.edu/supportus/Pages/giving-covid19.aspx
​​The COVID-19 pandemic is having an enormous impact on individuals and families in our communities and around the world.
AKU is on the front lines of the response to this unprecedented health challenge. Our dedicated physicians, nurses and other medical staff are working tirelessly to save lives.
You can support our efforts to secure specialised medical equipment, provide testing and life-saving care to the vulnerable through our Patient Welfare Programme, and address the needs of our physicians and healthcare personnel during this extraordinary time.
We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that we have received from​ all our supporters.
The COVID-19 Fund would support the following:
Providing world-class medical care, including for disadvantaged patients through our Patient Welfare Programme;
Securing specialised equipment including ventilators and personal protective gear for our staff;
Changes to our hospital and University facilities to expand our capacity to respond effectively to this emergency;
Research by our infectious disease specialists, and others, that contributes to the global effort to deliver better diagnostics for COVID-19 and care for those infected;
Support for our staff who are working exceedingly long hours, and need accommodation and other essential support.​
Read the latest updates on the University’s action on the coronavirus.​
https://www.aku.edu/Pages/covid-19-updates.aspx
https://www.aku.edu/supportus/Pages/giving-covid19.aspx
​​The COVID-19 pandemic is having an enormous impact on individuals and families in our communities and around the world.
AKU is on the front lines of the response to this unprecedented health challenge. Our dedicated physicians, nurses and other medical staff are working tirelessly to save lives.
You can support our efforts to secure specialised medical equipment, provide testing and life-saving care to the vulnerable through our Patient Welfare Programme, and address the needs of our physicians and healthcare personnel during this extraordinary time.
We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that we have received from​ all our supporters.
The COVID-19 Fund would support the following:
Providing world-class medical care, including for disadvantaged patients through our Patient Welfare Programme;
Securing specialised equipment including ventilators and personal protective gear for our staff;
Changes to our hospital and University facilities to expand our capacity to respond effectively to this emergency;
Research by our infectious disease specialists, and others, that contributes to the global effort to deliver better diagnostics for COVID-19 and care for those infected;
Support for our staff who are working exceedingly long hours, and need accommodation and other essential support.​
Read the latest updates on the University’s action on the coronavirus.​
https://www.aku.edu/Pages/covid-19-updates.aspx
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/new ... index.html
Inside the plan to build a world class Aga Khan University Hospital in Kenya
Friday, March 27, 2020 0:01
As the Aga Khan University Hospital marks its 60th anniversary this year, it has invested in technology and management systems to enable it meet the changing healthcare needs and retain its position in the club of the few hospitals in Africa to be accredited by world renowned bodies such as the Joint Commission and College of American Pathologists.
The Business Daily spoke to Shawn Bolouki, the mechanical engineer who took over as hospital’s chief executive officer five years ago, on the institution's plans to become Africa’s leading research centre and home of quality specialised care and his dream of building a world class centre right here.
HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE US AND KENYAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS?
I ran hospitals in the US for almost 28 years before I joined the Aga Khan University Hospital. In the US the healthcare system is very well regulated. The US has, for instance, anti-kickback law, and there are many checks and balances on how the federal money is spent. The roles, rules and regulations are all clear at all levels. After 2010 — when there was accountable care and reform of healthcare in the US — no physician can own any shares in any hospital because it creates conflict of interest. In Kenya, there is a lot of conflict of interest and grey areas that policymakers need to work on.
SINCE YOU JOINED THE HOSPITAL, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
As a team we have had so many wins. But what can sum it up is the new technology that we have been able to bring on board. For instance, the ultra-modern Positron Emission Tomography (PET) CT scanner and Cyclotron, which we were among the first hospitals to acquire globally, has been in high demand since it was installed. New technology means a reduction in medical tourism to other countries. Notably, the number of foreign patients visiting the hospital for various services and procedures has also grown almost seven times in five years, from 1,868 in 2014 to 8,363 in 2019. This can only mean that we are doing something right.
WHAT IS THE HOSPITAL DOING TO MEET THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING HEALTHCARE NEEDS AND REMAIN A PREFERRED INSTITUTION?
We are putting up a children’s hospital and will be building it within the main hospital. We plan to break ground by the third quarter of the year. The 100-bed hospital will be the first and only university speciality children’s hospital in the East and South African region. It will also come with the capability to be expanded as need arises. We recruited a professor from the University of Alabama and he will be leading the oncology institute.
We will be building a multidisciplinary breasts clinic and Aga Khan University cancer research centre to be operational in May. In fact, we are in negotiations with two pharmaceutical organisations to designate Aga Khan University as the site of clinical trials for cancer. On the university campus we're building in Nairobi, we will have a molecular biology and stem cell laboratory on one floor. We will also set up the centre of 3D printing. We are trying to expand our services, ultimately for the good of the country.
WHAT INFORMED THE HOSPITAL'S DECISION TO BUILD THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL?
We did a market study that showed that the country needs about 1,000 additional paediatric beds. We also noticed a demand spike in paediatric cardiology and oncology, and we will be ready to offer these services on opening since the infrastructure is available too. We will also be looking to include other services like neurology, orthopaedic surgeries and paediatric surgeries. But the services will be reviewed as need arises. Interestingly, for a country with over 47 million people we only have about two paediatric nephrologists. By building the hospital we will also start building capacity; we will start training nurses, and physicians in different specialities so that it can provide the proper services.
WHY IS RESEARCH SUCH AN IMPORTANT ASPECT TO THE INSTITUTION?
The fundamental role of the university is to be at the forefront of knowledge and to disseminate knowledge within the community. When the transfer of knowledge to the wider community and practitioner happens, then the university indirectly improves the care that is being provided to the people. Universities have a talent pool that also likes doing research- there is so much that can be achieved by these institutions.
AND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF DATA?
Data is at the heart of every decision we make, whether it is the research centres, equipment or new service. In fact, we are making a lot of investments in sophisticated electronic medical records and the intention is to put all of our patients on one platform and use the data to analyse trends, see the gaps and ideally to inform service delivery to the patients. Our latest year-long data shows that we attended 8.4 million patients, conducted 28 million lab tests, delivered 36,000 babies and conducted 64,000 surgeries. When you have such big data, it will allow you to start understand how we can best deliver our services when we compare to our affiliate units in Karachi, Pakistan, Kampala, Uganda and Dar es Salaam.
TAKE ME THROUGH THE HOSPITAL'S PLANS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS …
In a nutshell, in the next five years the university will be investing Sh25 billion in the East African region. Some of the funds will be invested in the Nairobi campus currently under construction, procurement of new equipment, building of the research centres and the cancer centres, student housing, and in carrying out renovations. We have plenty of plans in place, including having a fully functional stroke centre by December.
YOU SOUND LIKE YOU WILL NOT BE SLOWING DOWN ANY TIME SOON …
We cannot afford to slow down. Human capacity and technology are complementary to each other. We are building a world class institution right here in Kenya and installing the latest technology in medicine to attract and bring back home some of the best trained Kenyan-born doctors.
Inside the plan to build a world class Aga Khan University Hospital in Kenya
Friday, March 27, 2020 0:01
As the Aga Khan University Hospital marks its 60th anniversary this year, it has invested in technology and management systems to enable it meet the changing healthcare needs and retain its position in the club of the few hospitals in Africa to be accredited by world renowned bodies such as the Joint Commission and College of American Pathologists.
The Business Daily spoke to Shawn Bolouki, the mechanical engineer who took over as hospital’s chief executive officer five years ago, on the institution's plans to become Africa’s leading research centre and home of quality specialised care and his dream of building a world class centre right here.
HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE US AND KENYAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS?
I ran hospitals in the US for almost 28 years before I joined the Aga Khan University Hospital. In the US the healthcare system is very well regulated. The US has, for instance, anti-kickback law, and there are many checks and balances on how the federal money is spent. The roles, rules and regulations are all clear at all levels. After 2010 — when there was accountable care and reform of healthcare in the US — no physician can own any shares in any hospital because it creates conflict of interest. In Kenya, there is a lot of conflict of interest and grey areas that policymakers need to work on.
SINCE YOU JOINED THE HOSPITAL, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
As a team we have had so many wins. But what can sum it up is the new technology that we have been able to bring on board. For instance, the ultra-modern Positron Emission Tomography (PET) CT scanner and Cyclotron, which we were among the first hospitals to acquire globally, has been in high demand since it was installed. New technology means a reduction in medical tourism to other countries. Notably, the number of foreign patients visiting the hospital for various services and procedures has also grown almost seven times in five years, from 1,868 in 2014 to 8,363 in 2019. This can only mean that we are doing something right.
WHAT IS THE HOSPITAL DOING TO MEET THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING HEALTHCARE NEEDS AND REMAIN A PREFERRED INSTITUTION?
We are putting up a children’s hospital and will be building it within the main hospital. We plan to break ground by the third quarter of the year. The 100-bed hospital will be the first and only university speciality children’s hospital in the East and South African region. It will also come with the capability to be expanded as need arises. We recruited a professor from the University of Alabama and he will be leading the oncology institute.
We will be building a multidisciplinary breasts clinic and Aga Khan University cancer research centre to be operational in May. In fact, we are in negotiations with two pharmaceutical organisations to designate Aga Khan University as the site of clinical trials for cancer. On the university campus we're building in Nairobi, we will have a molecular biology and stem cell laboratory on one floor. We will also set up the centre of 3D printing. We are trying to expand our services, ultimately for the good of the country.
WHAT INFORMED THE HOSPITAL'S DECISION TO BUILD THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL?
We did a market study that showed that the country needs about 1,000 additional paediatric beds. We also noticed a demand spike in paediatric cardiology and oncology, and we will be ready to offer these services on opening since the infrastructure is available too. We will also be looking to include other services like neurology, orthopaedic surgeries and paediatric surgeries. But the services will be reviewed as need arises. Interestingly, for a country with over 47 million people we only have about two paediatric nephrologists. By building the hospital we will also start building capacity; we will start training nurses, and physicians in different specialities so that it can provide the proper services.
WHY IS RESEARCH SUCH AN IMPORTANT ASPECT TO THE INSTITUTION?
The fundamental role of the university is to be at the forefront of knowledge and to disseminate knowledge within the community. When the transfer of knowledge to the wider community and practitioner happens, then the university indirectly improves the care that is being provided to the people. Universities have a talent pool that also likes doing research- there is so much that can be achieved by these institutions.
AND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF DATA?
Data is at the heart of every decision we make, whether it is the research centres, equipment or new service. In fact, we are making a lot of investments in sophisticated electronic medical records and the intention is to put all of our patients on one platform and use the data to analyse trends, see the gaps and ideally to inform service delivery to the patients. Our latest year-long data shows that we attended 8.4 million patients, conducted 28 million lab tests, delivered 36,000 babies and conducted 64,000 surgeries. When you have such big data, it will allow you to start understand how we can best deliver our services when we compare to our affiliate units in Karachi, Pakistan, Kampala, Uganda and Dar es Salaam.
TAKE ME THROUGH THE HOSPITAL'S PLANS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS …
In a nutshell, in the next five years the university will be investing Sh25 billion in the East African region. Some of the funds will be invested in the Nairobi campus currently under construction, procurement of new equipment, building of the research centres and the cancer centres, student housing, and in carrying out renovations. We have plenty of plans in place, including having a fully functional stroke centre by December.
YOU SOUND LIKE YOU WILL NOT BE SLOWING DOWN ANY TIME SOON …
We cannot afford to slow down. Human capacity and technology are complementary to each other. We are building a world class institution right here in Kenya and installing the latest technology in medicine to attract and bring back home some of the best trained Kenyan-born doctors.
Born to heal: Stories of three Pakistani Aga Khan School alumni
When you are “eager” to return to work in a hospital during a pandemic, it might be safe to say that you have found your calling. That is the case for Dr Mehdi Irfani, a trainee at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Dr Irfani, who graduated from Aga Khan University last year, and is an alumnus of the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gilgit, is counting the days till the end of his quarantine period, having tested positive for COVID-19 after coming in contact with a patient while on duty.
dr._mehdi_irfani_3.jpeg
Dr Mehdi Irfani.
AKDN
Dr Irfani is far from the only former Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan student to be serving on the frontlines of the struggle against coronavirus. In the past five years alone, more than 600 graduates entered medical school, while another 300 opted for nursing school. These healthcare professionals are putting their lives on the line every day to treat patients affected by COVID-19.
Jamila Bahar did her schooling from Aga Khan Higher Secondary, Kuragh, after which she joined the nursing programme at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. Having graduated just four months ago, she has been thrown into the depths of her profession by the outbreak of the virus. While she admits that work-related stress has increased, thanks to the personal protection trainings she and her colleagues have received, she says she is feeling confident going to work every day. She too was placed into isolation after contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, but thankfully tested negative. Jamila says that she would like to specialize in mental health nursing down the line.
nurse_jamila_bahar.jpeg
Jamila Bahar, RN.
AKDN
While most of us are taking care to protect ourselves from the virus, doctors, nurses and other health staff risk exposure every day to keep us healthy. Dr Samiya Kamaluddin Musani, a former student of the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karachi and currently a doctor at Civil Hospital, Karachi, has been practicing medicine for almost eight years now. She says that the influx of patients at the hospital has doubled since the outbreak with many patients not only needing medical care, but a lot of moral support in the face of a positive coronavirus diagnosis, given the fear around the disease. “People come to us in a lot of anxiety,” she said, “and with the kind of pressures a public hospital has, it is not possible for us to practice social distancing.”
The workload has also increased, Dr Musani tells us, as a result of doctors getting infected and unable to continue their duties. Nevertheless, she says: “Medicine is the only profession for me. I was born to do this work.” Meanwhile, she is keeping her distance from family members at home, and cooking and eating separately to protect them.
dr._samiya_musani.jpeg
Dr Samiya Kamaluddin Musani.
AKDN
Every cloud has a silver lining and Dr Irfani is confident that once the situation normalizes, the medical professional will be better off for this experience and its learnings. “Medical care will improve,” he said, “and doctors and hospitals will be more careful about infection transmission. People too will be more mindful of the connection between hygiene and health.”
For now, like his colleagues all over the world, Dr Irfani is looking forward to going back to work: “Health practitioners are needed more than ever right now, and I want to play my part.”
https://www.akdn.org/our-stories/born-h ... ool-alumni
When you are “eager” to return to work in a hospital during a pandemic, it might be safe to say that you have found your calling. That is the case for Dr Mehdi Irfani, a trainee at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Dr Irfani, who graduated from Aga Khan University last year, and is an alumnus of the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gilgit, is counting the days till the end of his quarantine period, having tested positive for COVID-19 after coming in contact with a patient while on duty.
dr._mehdi_irfani_3.jpeg
Dr Mehdi Irfani.
AKDN
Dr Irfani is far from the only former Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan student to be serving on the frontlines of the struggle against coronavirus. In the past five years alone, more than 600 graduates entered medical school, while another 300 opted for nursing school. These healthcare professionals are putting their lives on the line every day to treat patients affected by COVID-19.
Jamila Bahar did her schooling from Aga Khan Higher Secondary, Kuragh, after which she joined the nursing programme at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. Having graduated just four months ago, she has been thrown into the depths of her profession by the outbreak of the virus. While she admits that work-related stress has increased, thanks to the personal protection trainings she and her colleagues have received, she says she is feeling confident going to work every day. She too was placed into isolation after contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, but thankfully tested negative. Jamila says that she would like to specialize in mental health nursing down the line.
nurse_jamila_bahar.jpeg
Jamila Bahar, RN.
AKDN
While most of us are taking care to protect ourselves from the virus, doctors, nurses and other health staff risk exposure every day to keep us healthy. Dr Samiya Kamaluddin Musani, a former student of the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karachi and currently a doctor at Civil Hospital, Karachi, has been practicing medicine for almost eight years now. She says that the influx of patients at the hospital has doubled since the outbreak with many patients not only needing medical care, but a lot of moral support in the face of a positive coronavirus diagnosis, given the fear around the disease. “People come to us in a lot of anxiety,” she said, “and with the kind of pressures a public hospital has, it is not possible for us to practice social distancing.”
The workload has also increased, Dr Musani tells us, as a result of doctors getting infected and unable to continue their duties. Nevertheless, she says: “Medicine is the only profession for me. I was born to do this work.” Meanwhile, she is keeping her distance from family members at home, and cooking and eating separately to protect them.
dr._samiya_musani.jpeg
Dr Samiya Kamaluddin Musani.
AKDN
Every cloud has a silver lining and Dr Irfani is confident that once the situation normalizes, the medical professional will be better off for this experience and its learnings. “Medical care will improve,” he said, “and doctors and hospitals will be more careful about infection transmission. People too will be more mindful of the connection between hygiene and health.”
For now, like his colleagues all over the world, Dr Irfani is looking forward to going back to work: “Health practitioners are needed more than ever right now, and I want to play my part.”
https://www.akdn.org/our-stories/born-h ... ool-alumni
Agnes Ojok: The diligent midwife
Agnes Ojok has been working at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu ever since she graduated with a diploma in nursing from the Kenya Medical Training College in 2009. The young girl who constantly admired how her aunt – a nurse – carried herself has blossomed into an outstanding nurse and midwife herself.
Three years after joining the hospital as a Locum Nurse, the hospital awarded scholarships to Agnes and a few of her colleagues to pursue a BScN at the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM). Agnes was elated: “I felt so honoured. I was really fascinated when we were taken through orientation. Everything sounded very new and exciting. I think I experienced culture shock because of the high standards. It was very different from my previous training in college.”
Initially, the lecturers would travel from Nairobi to Kisumu. There was no campus in the lakeside town so the hospital allocated the students a room that served as a classroom for one or two weeks of instruction every month. Later, the system changed and the students were required to travel to the capital city for their lessons. Agnes remembers: “I would travel with my newborn baby and the house-help. We would live in a hotel for up to three weeks. It was tough, but I did not want to squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better myself.”
More...
https://www.akdn.org/our-stories/agnes- ... nt-midwife
Agnes Ojok has been working at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu ever since she graduated with a diploma in nursing from the Kenya Medical Training College in 2009. The young girl who constantly admired how her aunt – a nurse – carried herself has blossomed into an outstanding nurse and midwife herself.
Three years after joining the hospital as a Locum Nurse, the hospital awarded scholarships to Agnes and a few of her colleagues to pursue a BScN at the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM). Agnes was elated: “I felt so honoured. I was really fascinated when we were taken through orientation. Everything sounded very new and exciting. I think I experienced culture shock because of the high standards. It was very different from my previous training in college.”
Initially, the lecturers would travel from Nairobi to Kisumu. There was no campus in the lakeside town so the hospital allocated the students a room that served as a classroom for one or two weeks of instruction every month. Later, the system changed and the students were required to travel to the capital city for their lessons. Agnes remembers: “I would travel with my newborn baby and the house-help. We would live in a hotel for up to three weeks. It was tough, but I did not want to squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better myself.”
More...
https://www.akdn.org/our-stories/agnes- ... nt-midwife
Nurses and midwives: Leaders in health care in East Africa
In 2001, upon receiving the prestigious Archon Award from the international nursing honour society, Sigma Theta Tau International, His Highness said in a speech that “I have long felt the enhancement of the nursing profession to be absolutely critical to the improvement of health care in the developing world, and the Islamic world. The way forward was to professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession.” The Archon Awards granted biennially to individuals who, regardless of their profession, have made health advocacy a major aspect of their lives and whose efforts have created significant change that is far-reaching in scope.
In that same year, His Highness the Aga Khan began opening nursing schools under the Aga Khan University (AKU) banner in East Africa. Designed to “professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession”, they would eventually create the critical nurses and midwives needed in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Founded in 1983 in Pakistan by His Highness the Aga Khan, AKU now has campuses in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and has awarded more than 3,000 diplomas and degrees across the region. The University provides scholarships to nine out of 10 of its students in East Africa. Its academic units in East Africa include the Medical College, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Graduate School of Media and Communications, East Africa Institute and Institute for Human Development. The 300-bed Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi is East Africa’s leading private teaching hospital.
Photo gallery at;
https://www.akdn.org/gallery/nurses-and ... ast-africa
In 2001, upon receiving the prestigious Archon Award from the international nursing honour society, Sigma Theta Tau International, His Highness said in a speech that “I have long felt the enhancement of the nursing profession to be absolutely critical to the improvement of health care in the developing world, and the Islamic world. The way forward was to professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession.” The Archon Awards granted biennially to individuals who, regardless of their profession, have made health advocacy a major aspect of their lives and whose efforts have created significant change that is far-reaching in scope.
In that same year, His Highness the Aga Khan began opening nursing schools under the Aga Khan University (AKU) banner in East Africa. Designed to “professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession”, they would eventually create the critical nurses and midwives needed in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Founded in 1983 in Pakistan by His Highness the Aga Khan, AKU now has campuses in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and has awarded more than 3,000 diplomas and degrees across the region. The University provides scholarships to nine out of 10 of its students in East Africa. Its academic units in East Africa include the Medical College, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Graduate School of Media and Communications, East Africa Institute and Institute for Human Development. The 300-bed Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi is East Africa’s leading private teaching hospital.
Photo gallery at;
https://www.akdn.org/gallery/nurses-and ... ast-africa
2020 – Year of the Nurse and the Midwife
In 1860, Florence Nightingale laid the foundation of modern nursing with the establishment of a nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London. Ever since, nurses and midwives have played a vital, central role in providing health services – not least at Aga Khan hospitals in Asia and Africa. From newborns to the elderly, nurses are often the first and only point of care for those striving to return to good health.
To support the creation of these vital human resources, the Aga Khan University has been educating nurses since 1983 in Pakistan. In 2001, His Highness the Aga Khan opened nursing campuses in East Africa, in order to "professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession". In the same year, upon receiving the Archon Award for nursing and health advocacy, he said "I have long felt the enhancement of the nursing profession to be absolutely critical to the improvement of health care in the developing world, and the Islamic world. The way forward was to professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession."
But 9 million more nurses and midwives are needed if the world is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. 2020 is therefore being observed as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. The year-long campaign celebrates the work and impact of nurses and midwives, and raises important questions about the role they can play in raising the standard of healthcare for communities around the world.
Gallery at:
https://www.akdn.org/gallery/2020-%E2%8 ... nd-midwife
In 1860, Florence Nightingale laid the foundation of modern nursing with the establishment of a nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London. Ever since, nurses and midwives have played a vital, central role in providing health services – not least at Aga Khan hospitals in Asia and Africa. From newborns to the elderly, nurses are often the first and only point of care for those striving to return to good health.
To support the creation of these vital human resources, the Aga Khan University has been educating nurses since 1983 in Pakistan. In 2001, His Highness the Aga Khan opened nursing campuses in East Africa, in order to "professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession". In the same year, upon receiving the Archon Award for nursing and health advocacy, he said "I have long felt the enhancement of the nursing profession to be absolutely critical to the improvement of health care in the developing world, and the Islamic world. The way forward was to professionalise, to institutionalise, and to dignify this great profession."
But 9 million more nurses and midwives are needed if the world is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. 2020 is therefore being observed as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. The year-long campaign celebrates the work and impact of nurses and midwives, and raises important questions about the role they can play in raising the standard of healthcare for communities around the world.
Gallery at:
https://www.akdn.org/gallery/2020-%E2%8 ... nd-midwife
Jacqueline Tindi: AKU nursing alumna leads ICU at new hospital
Jacqueline Tindi is at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. She leads the critical care unit at the new Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital​ that is serving the growing population of Nairobi and central Kenya. In response to the ongoing increase in coronavirus cases in Kenya, she is tirelessly working to ensure that her team is fully prepared and ready to handle any cases brought to the hospital.
“As the senior nurse manager, my work entails training, research and care of critical care patients. We are working to set up the ICU as an isolation unit for COVID-19 by ensuring we have enough equipment and staff in case infected cases are referred to us.” Tindi is in her element. With over 15 years of work experience as a nurse, she has slowly but surely risen up the ladder of success.
In 2012, she relocated to Malawi to join her husband, who was relocated for work. She could not stay idle and volunteered at a local hospital. Tindi knew she would call Malawi home for a while, so opted to apply for vacant full-time positions at the hospital. However, she did not qualify as she needed a Bachelor’s degree. After two years, she decided to move back home.
“I felt so bad that I did not qualify for any position despite having done basic nursing and midwifery courses. So in 2014, I moved back home and applied to join the BSc Nursing programme at AKU,” she said. “I chose AKU as I was told they had very good autonomy while working. If you have autonomy, you’re able to make decisions of what you want about yourself, and progress rather than stagnate.”
The Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM), East Africa has been in existence since 2002 and currently runs three academic programmes. Known as one of the region’s most reputable nursing training institutions, it has graduated over 2,500 nurses and midwives in East Africa.
Photo and more...
https://www.akdn.org/our-stories/jacque ... w-hospital
Jacqueline Tindi is at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. She leads the critical care unit at the new Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital​ that is serving the growing population of Nairobi and central Kenya. In response to the ongoing increase in coronavirus cases in Kenya, she is tirelessly working to ensure that her team is fully prepared and ready to handle any cases brought to the hospital.
“As the senior nurse manager, my work entails training, research and care of critical care patients. We are working to set up the ICU as an isolation unit for COVID-19 by ensuring we have enough equipment and staff in case infected cases are referred to us.” Tindi is in her element. With over 15 years of work experience as a nurse, she has slowly but surely risen up the ladder of success.
In 2012, she relocated to Malawi to join her husband, who was relocated for work. She could not stay idle and volunteered at a local hospital. Tindi knew she would call Malawi home for a while, so opted to apply for vacant full-time positions at the hospital. However, she did not qualify as she needed a Bachelor’s degree. After two years, she decided to move back home.
“I felt so bad that I did not qualify for any position despite having done basic nursing and midwifery courses. So in 2014, I moved back home and applied to join the BSc Nursing programme at AKU,” she said. “I chose AKU as I was told they had very good autonomy while working. If you have autonomy, you’re able to make decisions of what you want about yourself, and progress rather than stagnate.”
The Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM), East Africa has been in existence since 2002 and currently runs three academic programmes. Known as one of the region’s most reputable nursing training institutions, it has graduated over 2,500 nurses and midwives in East Africa.
Photo and more...
https://www.akdn.org/our-stories/jacque ... w-hospital
https://www.uab.edu/news/campus/item/11 ... nitiatives
UAB and AKU join hands on global education and research initiatives
by Bob Shepard
June 11, 2020
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Aga Khan University have entered into an agreement to develop collaborative academic, cultural exchange and research programs that will enable faculty and students to explore new ideas in the classroom, laboratory, studio and clinic. The initiative will leverage their shared strengths in research and scholarship to generate knowledge that can help address real world issues.
The agreement between the two institutions was signed by Suzanne Austin, senior vice provost and senior international officer from UAB and Carl Amrhein, provost and vice president, Academic, at AKU.
“UAB places great value in strengthening its global outreach efforts in both academics and research and has taken steps to increase the scope and scale of our ability to contribute cutting-edge, problem-solving ideas on the global stage,” Austin said. “We look forward to working with Aga Khan University to enable both institutions to expand the scope and impact our knowledge, discoveries and innovations may have for the benefit of our respective constituencies and the global community at large.”
“AKU is committed to fostering global partnerships that can help drive innovation and social change,” Amrhein said. “This agreement reflects our continued commitment to work with the world’s best institutions to address the world’s most pressing problems.”
The two universities are currently considering joint research and training initiatives in the areas of HIV, breast cancer, and translational science and health disparities.
“Both Aga Khan University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham serve unique vulnerable segments of the population that face societal inequities,” said AKU’s Professor Mansoor Saleh. “Our partnership will allow us to learn from each other on how to better serve this constituency. The transfer of knowledge and know-how across the two institutions will be strengthened by this agreement. We look forward to joint grant applications and the exchange of trainees and faculty across our campuses.”AKU4
Prior to joining AKU, Saleh was a senior scientist at the UAB Cancer Center, director of UAB’s Early Drug Development Phase 1 Program, and a visiting professor at AKU. He recently joined AKU as the founding chair of the department of Hematology-Oncology and the founding director of the newly established AKU Cancer Center.
“We are excited about this new relationship with Aga Khan University,” said Michael Saag, M.D., associate dean for Global Health at the UAB School of Medicine. “Through the efforts of Dr. Saleh, we will be able to establish a platform that allows bidirectional research, education and training activities between the two institutions. This can serve as a resource for UAB and Aga Khan, but also as a bridge to other institutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa who might wish to collaborate on research projects.”
While on opposite sides of the globe, UAB and the AKU are similar in many ways, including having sizeable underserved populations in their catchment areas. The two institutions will, through this partnership, exchange scientific expertise and work together to address many of the health issues in their respective locales.
Discussions to identify initial projects have begun between representatives of UAB and AKU.
UAB and AKU join hands on global education and research initiatives
by Bob Shepard
June 11, 2020
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Aga Khan University have entered into an agreement to develop collaborative academic, cultural exchange and research programs that will enable faculty and students to explore new ideas in the classroom, laboratory, studio and clinic. The initiative will leverage their shared strengths in research and scholarship to generate knowledge that can help address real world issues.
The agreement between the two institutions was signed by Suzanne Austin, senior vice provost and senior international officer from UAB and Carl Amrhein, provost and vice president, Academic, at AKU.
“UAB places great value in strengthening its global outreach efforts in both academics and research and has taken steps to increase the scope and scale of our ability to contribute cutting-edge, problem-solving ideas on the global stage,” Austin said. “We look forward to working with Aga Khan University to enable both institutions to expand the scope and impact our knowledge, discoveries and innovations may have for the benefit of our respective constituencies and the global community at large.”
“AKU is committed to fostering global partnerships that can help drive innovation and social change,” Amrhein said. “This agreement reflects our continued commitment to work with the world’s best institutions to address the world’s most pressing problems.”
The two universities are currently considering joint research and training initiatives in the areas of HIV, breast cancer, and translational science and health disparities.
“Both Aga Khan University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham serve unique vulnerable segments of the population that face societal inequities,” said AKU’s Professor Mansoor Saleh. “Our partnership will allow us to learn from each other on how to better serve this constituency. The transfer of knowledge and know-how across the two institutions will be strengthened by this agreement. We look forward to joint grant applications and the exchange of trainees and faculty across our campuses.”AKU4
Prior to joining AKU, Saleh was a senior scientist at the UAB Cancer Center, director of UAB’s Early Drug Development Phase 1 Program, and a visiting professor at AKU. He recently joined AKU as the founding chair of the department of Hematology-Oncology and the founding director of the newly established AKU Cancer Center.
“We are excited about this new relationship with Aga Khan University,” said Michael Saag, M.D., associate dean for Global Health at the UAB School of Medicine. “Through the efforts of Dr. Saleh, we will be able to establish a platform that allows bidirectional research, education and training activities between the two institutions. This can serve as a resource for UAB and Aga Khan, but also as a bridge to other institutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa who might wish to collaborate on research projects.”
While on opposite sides of the globe, UAB and the AKU are similar in many ways, including having sizeable underserved populations in their catchment areas. The two institutions will, through this partnership, exchange scientific expertise and work together to address many of the health issues in their respective locales.
Discussions to identify initial projects have begun between representatives of UAB and AKU.
Aga Khan University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Collaborate on Global Education and Research Initiative
Collaboration on cancer research and education a further step towards addressing world health issues.
“UAB’s global outreach, which began in the early 1950s, has expanded through such vehicles as individual faculty contacts and formal partnerships with international peer institutions—primarily for faculty and student exchange, joint educational programs, and joint research. We at UAB look forward to working with Aga Khan University in activities such as these to address the complex issues facing the world today.” Penny Whiteside, Director, Sponsored International Programs, Office of VP for Research, University of Alabama.
Aga Khan University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding academic, cultural exchange, and research programs that will enable faculty and students to explore new ideas in their classes, laboratories, studios, and clinics. This initiative will leverage their experience and strengths in research and scholarship to address real world issues. They are currently considering joint research and training initiatives to address HIV, breast cancer, and translational science and health disparities
Aga Khan University ((AKU) President Firoz Rasul commented on the partnership:
“Many years ago, there was a vibrant and flourishing collaboration between AKU’s Department of Community Health Science and UAB’s School of Public Health. With the recruitment of UAB alumnus Dr. Mansoor Saleh, who now heads our oncology program in Nairobi, and the recent visit to UAB by Provost Carl Amrhein and Medical College Dean, Adil Haider, we have reawakened the historical ties between our two institutions. With the signing of the AKU-UAB MOU, we look forward to a productive academic exchange and joint research efforts in areas of mutual interest. It is indeed an exciting new beginning.”
The agreement between the two institutions was signed by Suzanne Austin, Senior Vice Provost and Senior International Officer from UAB, and Carl Amrhein, Provost and Vice President, Academic, at AKU.
“UAB places great value in strengthening its global outreach efforts in both academics and research and has taken steps to increase the scope and scale of our ability to contribute cutting-edge, problem-solving ideas on the global stage,” Austin remarked. “We look forward to working with Aga Khan University to enable both institutions to expand the scope and impact our knowledge, discoveries and innovations may have for the benefit of our respective constituencies and the global community at large.”
“AKU is committed to fostering global partnerships that can help drive innovation and social change,” Amrhein said. “This agreement reflects our continued commitment to work with the world’s best institutions to address the world’s most pressing problems.”
“Both Aga Khan University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham serve unique vulnerable segments of the population that face societal inequities,” said AKU’s Professor Mansoor Saleh. “Our partnership will allow us to learn from each other on how to better serve this constituency. The transfer of knowledge and know-how across the two institutions will be strengthened by this agreement. We look forward to joint grant applications and the exchange of trainees and faculty across our campuses.”
Prior to joining AKU, Dr. Saleh was a senior scientist at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, director of UAB’s Early Drug Development Phase 1 Program, and a Visiting Professor at AKU. He recently joined AKU as the Founding Chair of the Department of Hematology-Oncology and the Founding Director of the newly-established AKU Cancer Center in Nairobi.
“We are excited about this new relationship with Aga Khan University,” said Michael Saag, M.D., associate dean for Global Health at the UAB School of Medicine. “Through the efforts of Dr. Saleh, we will be able to establish a platform that allows bidirectional research, education and training activities between the two institutions. This can serve as a resource for UAB and Aga Khan, but also as a bridge to other institutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa who might wish to collaborate on research projects.”
There are some similarities in the populations both institutions serve, as there are underserved communities in both Alabama and in the several countries in which AKU operates, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and East Africa. It is hoped that this collaboration will lead to improvements in the health and quality of life of the regions where they can have a significant impact.
This new AKU MOU follows other agreements signed with leading institutions in the United States. Earlier this year, an agreement with Columbia University and AKU’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in London will offer a dual Master’s degree; an MOU with the University of Washington in 2019 encourages collaboration in research, and health and education initiatives; and an MOU with the University of San Francisco in 2009 provides for joint efforts in building integrated healthcare models and expanding their linkages in family medicine and midwifery training.
https://the.ismaili/usa/our-community/a ... ate-global
Collaboration on cancer research and education a further step towards addressing world health issues.
“UAB’s global outreach, which began in the early 1950s, has expanded through such vehicles as individual faculty contacts and formal partnerships with international peer institutions—primarily for faculty and student exchange, joint educational programs, and joint research. We at UAB look forward to working with Aga Khan University in activities such as these to address the complex issues facing the world today.” Penny Whiteside, Director, Sponsored International Programs, Office of VP for Research, University of Alabama.
Aga Khan University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding academic, cultural exchange, and research programs that will enable faculty and students to explore new ideas in their classes, laboratories, studios, and clinics. This initiative will leverage their experience and strengths in research and scholarship to address real world issues. They are currently considering joint research and training initiatives to address HIV, breast cancer, and translational science and health disparities
Aga Khan University ((AKU) President Firoz Rasul commented on the partnership:
“Many years ago, there was a vibrant and flourishing collaboration between AKU’s Department of Community Health Science and UAB’s School of Public Health. With the recruitment of UAB alumnus Dr. Mansoor Saleh, who now heads our oncology program in Nairobi, and the recent visit to UAB by Provost Carl Amrhein and Medical College Dean, Adil Haider, we have reawakened the historical ties between our two institutions. With the signing of the AKU-UAB MOU, we look forward to a productive academic exchange and joint research efforts in areas of mutual interest. It is indeed an exciting new beginning.”
The agreement between the two institutions was signed by Suzanne Austin, Senior Vice Provost and Senior International Officer from UAB, and Carl Amrhein, Provost and Vice President, Academic, at AKU.
“UAB places great value in strengthening its global outreach efforts in both academics and research and has taken steps to increase the scope and scale of our ability to contribute cutting-edge, problem-solving ideas on the global stage,” Austin remarked. “We look forward to working with Aga Khan University to enable both institutions to expand the scope and impact our knowledge, discoveries and innovations may have for the benefit of our respective constituencies and the global community at large.”
“AKU is committed to fostering global partnerships that can help drive innovation and social change,” Amrhein said. “This agreement reflects our continued commitment to work with the world’s best institutions to address the world’s most pressing problems.”
“Both Aga Khan University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham serve unique vulnerable segments of the population that face societal inequities,” said AKU’s Professor Mansoor Saleh. “Our partnership will allow us to learn from each other on how to better serve this constituency. The transfer of knowledge and know-how across the two institutions will be strengthened by this agreement. We look forward to joint grant applications and the exchange of trainees and faculty across our campuses.”
Prior to joining AKU, Dr. Saleh was a senior scientist at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, director of UAB’s Early Drug Development Phase 1 Program, and a Visiting Professor at AKU. He recently joined AKU as the Founding Chair of the Department of Hematology-Oncology and the Founding Director of the newly-established AKU Cancer Center in Nairobi.
“We are excited about this new relationship with Aga Khan University,” said Michael Saag, M.D., associate dean for Global Health at the UAB School of Medicine. “Through the efforts of Dr. Saleh, we will be able to establish a platform that allows bidirectional research, education and training activities between the two institutions. This can serve as a resource for UAB and Aga Khan, but also as a bridge to other institutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa who might wish to collaborate on research projects.”
There are some similarities in the populations both institutions serve, as there are underserved communities in both Alabama and in the several countries in which AKU operates, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and East Africa. It is hoped that this collaboration will lead to improvements in the health and quality of life of the regions where they can have a significant impact.
This new AKU MOU follows other agreements signed with leading institutions in the United States. Earlier this year, an agreement with Columbia University and AKU’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in London will offer a dual Master’s degree; an MOU with the University of Washington in 2019 encourages collaboration in research, and health and education initiatives; and an MOU with the University of San Francisco in 2009 provides for joint efforts in building integrated healthcare models and expanding their linkages in family medicine and midwifery training.
https://the.ismaili/usa/our-community/a ... ate-global
International Internship Programme
Welcome to the Aga Khan University's International Internship Programme&
The Aga Khan University’s International Internship Programme (AKU-IIP) has been successfully running its programme since 2008 and has offered unique and meaningful internship opportunities in 8 countries within East Africa, Central, and South Asia. These students have been placed at 7 agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network namely – Aga Khan University (AKU), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), University of Central Asia (UCA), Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)​, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)​, Serena​, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS).
The programme aims to provide a critical learning opportunity that goes beyond simple work experience and instead focuses on thinking outside of the box, developing strong leadership skills, being critically reflexive, and learning new ways of doing things in new environments.​
On-Site Internship Programme
​​​Due to COVID-19 pandemic, ​​​On-Site placements​ are ​postponed.
More...
https://www.aku.edu/careers/iip/Pages/i ... tions.aspx
*****
​Virtual Internship Programme
FALL 2020 Recruitment Cycle is OPEN.​
Apply now
https://www.aku.edu/careers/iip/Pages/v ... tions.aspx
https://www.aku.edu/careers/iip/Pages/home.aspx
Welcome to the Aga Khan University's International Internship Programme&
The Aga Khan University’s International Internship Programme (AKU-IIP) has been successfully running its programme since 2008 and has offered unique and meaningful internship opportunities in 8 countries within East Africa, Central, and South Asia. These students have been placed at 7 agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network namely – Aga Khan University (AKU), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), University of Central Asia (UCA), Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)​, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)​, Serena​, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS).
The programme aims to provide a critical learning opportunity that goes beyond simple work experience and instead focuses on thinking outside of the box, developing strong leadership skills, being critically reflexive, and learning new ways of doing things in new environments.​
On-Site Internship Programme
​​​Due to COVID-19 pandemic, ​​​On-Site placements​ are ​postponed.
More...
https://www.aku.edu/careers/iip/Pages/i ... tions.aspx
*****
​Virtual Internship Programme
FALL 2020 Recruitment Cycle is OPEN.​
Apply now
https://www.aku.edu/careers/iip/Pages/v ... tions.aspx
https://www.aku.edu/careers/iip/Pages/home.aspx
https://allafrica.com/stories/202009231002.html
East Africa: First Model Teachers' Academy Opens in East Africa
23 September 2020
The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Nairobi — A teachers' excellence training academy, the first one of its kind in East Africa, has today, September 23, 2020, opened its doors, thanks to the Aga Khan University (AKU).
The Teachers' Academy is set to bring a new experience in teaching in higher education. It will be Aga Khan University's first interdisciplinary academies of its kind in the region.
"Rewarding and recognising teachers promotes excellence in teaching, teaching that engages students in their own learning, in pursuing creative work and innovative ideas, in reaching their full potential," said Vice Provost Dr Tashmin Khamis.
East Africa: First Model Teachers' Academy Opens in East Africa
23 September 2020
The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Nairobi — A teachers' excellence training academy, the first one of its kind in East Africa, has today, September 23, 2020, opened its doors, thanks to the Aga Khan University (AKU).
The Teachers' Academy is set to bring a new experience in teaching in higher education. It will be Aga Khan University's first interdisciplinary academies of its kind in the region.
"Rewarding and recognising teachers promotes excellence in teaching, teaching that engages students in their own learning, in pursuing creative work and innovative ideas, in reaching their full potential," said Vice Provost Dr Tashmin Khamis.
Video Quote: On Creation of 7 New Graduate Professional Schools
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo9-JWtx1EI
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo9-JWtx1EI
Pakistani student wins big for pain-free invisible needle
KARACHI – A student of Agha Khan University (AKU) did Pakistani nation proud by bagging the Global Pediatric Research Investigator Award by the Nature Pediatric Research.
The research of Mir Ibrahim Sajid, 21, involved invention of pain-free invisible needles. His invention is currently awaiting clinical trials but it has successfully passed the laboratory tests.
Feeling proud over what the student has done, the AKU has congratulated Mir Ibrahim for winning the prestigious award.
In a blog penned by the young medical student for the Nature Pediatric Research, he revealed the motivation behind the invention.
Sajid, who hails from Punjab wrote, “Being the eldest of the three sons to a gastroenterologist physician and a maxillofacial surgeon, a large part of my summer vacations and leisure time was spent in hospitals. Having seen children in pain and refusing treatment, all while living through the above myself, during cannulation and blooddrawing procedures, I took it upon myself to find a solution to trypanophobia”.
He also praised his mentor Asad I. Mian.
“The problem was highlighted in a Pediatrics-based Hackathon at my institute, and the idea further incubated at CCIT—resulting in the first prototype of the proposed model,” he explained.
Besides having interest in inventions and learning medicine, cooking and cricket are very close to the heart of Sajid.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/19-Nov- ... ble-needle
KARACHI – A student of Agha Khan University (AKU) did Pakistani nation proud by bagging the Global Pediatric Research Investigator Award by the Nature Pediatric Research.
The research of Mir Ibrahim Sajid, 21, involved invention of pain-free invisible needles. His invention is currently awaiting clinical trials but it has successfully passed the laboratory tests.
Feeling proud over what the student has done, the AKU has congratulated Mir Ibrahim for winning the prestigious award.
In a blog penned by the young medical student for the Nature Pediatric Research, he revealed the motivation behind the invention.
Sajid, who hails from Punjab wrote, “Being the eldest of the three sons to a gastroenterologist physician and a maxillofacial surgeon, a large part of my summer vacations and leisure time was spent in hospitals. Having seen children in pain and refusing treatment, all while living through the above myself, during cannulation and blooddrawing procedures, I took it upon myself to find a solution to trypanophobia”.
He also praised his mentor Asad I. Mian.
“The problem was highlighted in a Pediatrics-based Hackathon at my institute, and the idea further incubated at CCIT—resulting in the first prototype of the proposed model,” he explained.
Besides having interest in inventions and learning medicine, cooking and cricket are very close to the heart of Sajid.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/19-Nov- ... ble-needle
Public, private varsities plan to plant moringa trees to curb malnutrition in rural district
The Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, and the Aga Khan University will plant 40,000 moringa tree seedlings in Matiari, a rural district in central Sindh, in an effort to improve the health of malnourished mothers, children and adolescents in the area.
Malnutrition is a major public health problem in Sindh with more than four out of ten children suffering from stunted growth, according to the National Nutrition Survey 2018. The province also has Pakistan’s highest prevalence of underweight children at 41.3 per cent and children suffering from wasting, or being too thin for one’s height, at 23.3 per cent. A poor diet is one of the key causes of malnutrition.
“Most poor families in rural Sindh eat a monotonous diet of roti and a single vegetable dish every single day,” said AKU’s Professor Asad Ali, who is leading the project on behalf of the university. “Moringa or the drumstick tree contains a wide variety of essential nutrients and since the tree can easily grow in dry desert-like conditions, it is a common sense crop for rural Sindh.”
Every part of the fast-growing, drought-resistant moringa, native to the Indian subcontinent, is edible and packed with nutrients such as protein, potassium, calcium, zinc, vitamins and antioxidants. The leaves of the moringa tree can be easily chopped and cooked with lentils or vegetables. Its pods, which taste similar to French beans, can be stir fried or used in soups. Better still, the roots are also edible.
The AKU, working in partnership with the Sindh Agriculture University, SAU, will plant a 40,000-tree moringa nursery in Matiari, easily accessible to the villagers of the area. Free access to the nursery will help provide families with a more balanced and nutritious diet.
Besides this communal resource, another 12,000 tree saplings have been distributed to households in the area. AKU and SAU teams will be encouraging families to use the leaves, pods and seeds to improve their diet. To help women cook healthier meals, a series of easy-to-follow video recipes have been made available in Sindhi.
“Although moringa is not new to us, we didn’t realise its benefits until the Aga Khan University team visited our village,” said Kabeer Palipoto, a 65-year-old resident of the village of Wali Mohammad Abro in Matiari, who has planted 20 saplings. “They briefed us about its benefits and showed us how to cook it with vegetables or meat.”
Moringa is considered to be one of the global superfoods: its leaves can be dried and turned into a powder rich in calcium, vitamin A and protein, which is packaged and sold at a high price in urban Pakistan. Oil from its seeds, which has similar properties to olive oil, also sells at a high price in the international market. In the long-term, the partners in this initiative will be encouraging villagers to harvest the moringa leaves and seeds as a cash crop.
“We will be teaching people how to plant and take care of these trees so that they can harvest them and take full advantage of the medicinal and nutritional value of the tree,” said Professor Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, chairman, department of agricultural education extension at the SAU.
“The moringa plantation drive will benefit both the health of Matiari’s people as well as its environment,” added Professor Asad Ali. The university’s field research centre in Matiari, operating since 2003, develops evidence-based initiatives to achieve targets under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which calls on countries to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030 and to address the causes of preventable deaths in newborns and children.
The moringa tree plantation campaign has been funded by the Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment, a $10 million fund dedicated to practical solutions to environmental problems.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/748138 ... l-district
The Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, and the Aga Khan University will plant 40,000 moringa tree seedlings in Matiari, a rural district in central Sindh, in an effort to improve the health of malnourished mothers, children and adolescents in the area.
Malnutrition is a major public health problem in Sindh with more than four out of ten children suffering from stunted growth, according to the National Nutrition Survey 2018. The province also has Pakistan’s highest prevalence of underweight children at 41.3 per cent and children suffering from wasting, or being too thin for one’s height, at 23.3 per cent. A poor diet is one of the key causes of malnutrition.
“Most poor families in rural Sindh eat a monotonous diet of roti and a single vegetable dish every single day,” said AKU’s Professor Asad Ali, who is leading the project on behalf of the university. “Moringa or the drumstick tree contains a wide variety of essential nutrients and since the tree can easily grow in dry desert-like conditions, it is a common sense crop for rural Sindh.”
Every part of the fast-growing, drought-resistant moringa, native to the Indian subcontinent, is edible and packed with nutrients such as protein, potassium, calcium, zinc, vitamins and antioxidants. The leaves of the moringa tree can be easily chopped and cooked with lentils or vegetables. Its pods, which taste similar to French beans, can be stir fried or used in soups. Better still, the roots are also edible.
The AKU, working in partnership with the Sindh Agriculture University, SAU, will plant a 40,000-tree moringa nursery in Matiari, easily accessible to the villagers of the area. Free access to the nursery will help provide families with a more balanced and nutritious diet.
Besides this communal resource, another 12,000 tree saplings have been distributed to households in the area. AKU and SAU teams will be encouraging families to use the leaves, pods and seeds to improve their diet. To help women cook healthier meals, a series of easy-to-follow video recipes have been made available in Sindhi.
“Although moringa is not new to us, we didn’t realise its benefits until the Aga Khan University team visited our village,” said Kabeer Palipoto, a 65-year-old resident of the village of Wali Mohammad Abro in Matiari, who has planted 20 saplings. “They briefed us about its benefits and showed us how to cook it with vegetables or meat.”
Moringa is considered to be one of the global superfoods: its leaves can be dried and turned into a powder rich in calcium, vitamin A and protein, which is packaged and sold at a high price in urban Pakistan. Oil from its seeds, which has similar properties to olive oil, also sells at a high price in the international market. In the long-term, the partners in this initiative will be encouraging villagers to harvest the moringa leaves and seeds as a cash crop.
“We will be teaching people how to plant and take care of these trees so that they can harvest them and take full advantage of the medicinal and nutritional value of the tree,” said Professor Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, chairman, department of agricultural education extension at the SAU.
“The moringa plantation drive will benefit both the health of Matiari’s people as well as its environment,” added Professor Asad Ali. The university’s field research centre in Matiari, operating since 2003, develops evidence-based initiatives to achieve targets under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which calls on countries to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030 and to address the causes of preventable deaths in newborns and children.
The moringa tree plantation campaign has been funded by the Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for the Environment, a $10 million fund dedicated to practical solutions to environmental problems.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/748138 ... l-district
8 Pakistani women named in 100 outstanding nurses and midwives global list
Eight Pakistani nurses and midwives have been honoured in the global 100 Outstanding Women Nurse and Midwife Leaders 2020 list.
The healthcare workers have been acknowledged by Women in Global Health (WGH), which collaborated with the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Population Fund, Nursing Now, International Council of Nurses and International Confederation of Midwives on the list.
All eight nurses and midwives from Pakistan are faculty or alumni of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, SONAM.
The list recognised 100 nurses and midwives from 43 countries for their contribution to raising healthcare standards across the globe, "especially during these difficult times" of the coronavirus pandemic, a statement issued by the Aga Khan University (AKU) said.
The ranking marks the end of the WHO’s yearlong Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020 campaign, which recognises the vital role of nurses and midwives in providing health services and in helping achieve targets under the global sustainable development goals.
More...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1598346/8-pak ... lobal-list
Eight Pakistani nurses and midwives have been honoured in the global 100 Outstanding Women Nurse and Midwife Leaders 2020 list.
The healthcare workers have been acknowledged by Women in Global Health (WGH), which collaborated with the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Population Fund, Nursing Now, International Council of Nurses and International Confederation of Midwives on the list.
All eight nurses and midwives from Pakistan are faculty or alumni of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, SONAM.
The list recognised 100 nurses and midwives from 43 countries for their contribution to raising healthcare standards across the globe, "especially during these difficult times" of the coronavirus pandemic, a statement issued by the Aga Khan University (AKU) said.
The ranking marks the end of the WHO’s yearlong Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020 campaign, which recognises the vital role of nurses and midwives in providing health services and in helping achieve targets under the global sustainable development goals.
More...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1598346/8-pak ... lobal-list