AKU Academic Regalia (JAMIAPOASH)

AKU Convocation 2007, Chief Guest Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (centre) with Firoz Rasul, President AKU (left) and Ambassador Saidullah Khan Dehlavi, Chairman AKU Board of Trustees (right)

Jamiapoash from the Arabic jamia, meaning 'institution of higher learning', and the Persian poash, meaning 'apparel' is the term that describes the academic regalia, or head gears and gowns of Aga Khan University. This is worn during convocations and other formal and ceremonial occasions.

The Jamiapoash comprises a Khila'at, meaning 'robe of honour' in Arabic and a Sirpoash, meaning 'headwear' in Persian. The Khila'at, which is the outer robe, is very much like a qabaa or jubba, worn in many countries of the Middle-East and North Africa, or a chugha, used in parts of Pakistan and India. It is an unpleated, unflared, calf-length over garment with bell-shaped short sleeves and the facility to be closed at the front, if desired. The Sirpoash or the headwear is a composite article that brings together a turban and a kulah, the two most outstanding forms of headwear used historically throughout the Islamic world, with a tassel on the right.

The Jamiapoash has been colour coded and decorated in such a way that the garments symbolise the very identity of the University. For example, the basic colours of green and white have been derived from the official seal of the University. Similarly, all elements of decoration of the Jamiapoash have been taken from motifs, calligraphy and art designs used in the architecture and interior design of the University.

The distinctive motifs have been embroidered along the front, on cuffs, arms and on the back using different colours on a variety of backgrounds. Their arrangement serves to identify the ranks of members of the University, such as the Graduands, Faculty, Trustees, Chancellor and Patron, as well as the recipients of the Honorary Degrees and special guests, who may have been invited to join the academic procession.

The student's robe has a single braid of green motif with gold lining on white background, a cuff band, and two green motifs on the arms. The robes of the faculty and the recipients of honorary degrees have an additional braid in gold, with a golden motif on the arms and at the back. The Board of Trustees has one more golden band on the front alongside the decorations of the faculty dress. Robes of the Chancellor and the Patron distinguish themselves by their very elaborate golden embroidery on the upper part of the robe both back and front, but are also unique for their white and rust colours respectively. The robes of the special guests marching in the procession have been decorated with rich golden embroidery on a teak brown background.

The colour coding of the Sirpoash or headwear for each rank follows the colour combination of the Khila'at and its embroidery, with the higher ranks being distinguished by golden bands.

White and gold were the colours of the blazon of the Fatimids of Egypt, the ancestors of His Highness the Aga Khan, who founded the Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest universities of the world with a very rich history and tradition.