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Pakistan became the first Muslim country to achieve
chapter status in the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) global
network, when on Saturday, September 9, 2000, Aga Khan University
School of Nursing Honor Society (AKUSON-HS) received its Charter.
STTI is an international honor society, with more than a quarter
of a million members representing 83 countries. It has 406 chapters
in colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, China,
South Korea, Taiwan and Australia.
131 nurses were inducted at the chartering ceremony.
They included Ms. Faiz Alamzaib, Vice president, Pakistan Nursing
Council, Dr. Yasmin Amarsi, Associate Dean of Nursing, Aga Khan
University (AKU) and other nursing leaders. Membership to the Chapter
is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students
from all national nursing institutions, who demonstrate excellence
in scholarship as well as to community nursing leaders exhibiting
exceptional achievements in nursing.
The AKUSON Honor Society was established in 1996,
and its petition to become an official chapter of STTI was accepted
in 1999. At the chartering ceremony, the chapter was formally named
the "Rho Delta Chapter" by the Installing Officer nominated by STTI,
Dr. Melanie Dreher, Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, University
of Iowa. In her introductory remarks she said, "STTI encourages
and sponsors research, promotes the development of nursing leadership
and supports the development of nursing scholars. It aims to create
a global community of nurses, seeking ways to improve the health
and welfare of their communities through the dissemination of nursing
knowledge."
Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, President, AKU, highlighted
the importance of this international recognition and linkage. In
his congratulatory remarks, he emphasised that "the University is
proud to be training the nursing leaders of tomorrow, who will now
be part of a worldwide community of nursing scholars."
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