AKU Accredited in Kenya and Tanzania

AKU reached a milestone in July 2002, when it received accreditation instruments in Kenya and Tanzania, enabling the University to implement its academic programmes. The granting of the Letter of Interim Authority in Kenya and the Certificate of Provisional Registration in Tanzania reaffirmed these countries' confidence in the University's ability to introduce educational programmes for human resource capacity building in the health and education sectors.

His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of AKU, was presented with the Letter of Interim Authority by Dr. Davy Koech, Chairman of Kenya's Commission on Higher Education. Dr. Koech assured AKU of the Commission's "necessary guidance and support in order to achieve the desired goal of quality university education." He also congratulated AKU for "this realisation of a long and challenging journey towards establishing a unique programme in nursing in Kenya." His Excellency President Moi, chief guest at the presentation ceremony, expressed his gratitude to the Chancellor for his willingness to invest in Kenya and said that the University's initial emphasis on nursing was in line with his country's desire to promote the sciences. He also highlighted the critical role played by private universities, such as AKU, for the development of human resources in Kenya.

The Chancellor, thanking the Commission for the cooperation and assistance it had extended to AKU, stressed the importance of educating "men and women in the health sector, the education sector and particularly in the management of those sectors," to address the critical problem of capacity building in these areas. His Highness emphasised his continuing commitment to this ongoing process of societal development, and hoped the University would be able to play its part and "serve the people of Kenya and the people of East Africa."

This recognition by the higher education authorities enables AKU to proceed with setting up a governing body, begin construction, recruit academic staff, advertise its programmes and enrol students. Dr. Grace Miller, Regional Director of the Advanced Nursing Studies (ANS) programme, noted that such collaborative endeavours have the advantage of shared expertise in curriculum development and international linkages. AKU's involvement in education initiatives is undertaken through its Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), in collaboration with its AKDN partner, Aga Khan Education Services. It has been conducting teacher education programmes in Kenya and Tanzania to enhance teaching and school management skills, and so far 177 course participants have completed AKU's Certificate in Education programmes. A further 61 participants are currently enrolled in certificate programmes in Tanzania. Since 1994, 19 teachers from East Africa have successfully completed their master’s degree in Education with the Teacher Education specialisation (MEd). Another 12 teachers are currently enrolled in the ongoing two-year MEd programme. The MEd graduates have a key role in conducting the Certificate in Education programmes. Such cooperation between AKU and its stakeholders provides a model for effective collaboration between developing countries.

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