Convocation 2004

Rapid Improvement in Social Sector through Public-Private Partnership

Two hundred and forty-two students graduated last November at AKU's 17th Convocation in Karachi, an occasion that also saw President Shamsh Kassim-Lakha unveiling the University's expansion plans in East Africa. These include the establishment of an Institute for Educational Development and further growth in the University's postgraduate medical education programmes. Full Story

Dr Habib Patel Remembered

AKU lost one of its pioneers and most committed supporters when Dr Habib Patel, President of Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College Foundation (AKHMCF), passed away on September 26, 2004. Dr Patel was 92. Full Story

Over Half a Million Women Die Every Year During Childbirth

One of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals approved by world leaders in September 2000 is to reduce maternal mortality by 75 per cent by the year 2015. With the deadline just ten years down the road, maternal mortality indicators retain the disturbing distinction of being a major health problem. Globally, over half a million women die every year during childbirth and a large number who are unable to prevent unwanted pregnancies face a higher risk of unsafe abortions, other complications and death. Full Story

CHS Research Helps Shape Injection Safety Policy

It is a globally established fact that unsafe injections are the primary cause of the spread of hepatitis B and C infections. While Pakistan is one of several developing countries affected by this hazardous practice, it is one of the few where comprehensive data is also available. Full Story

HDP Can Have Significant Impact on Developing World

Early childhood is the most rapid period of development in a human life. Biomedical research has demonstrated the direct impact of prenatal and early childhood experiences on brain development, and the influence of early years on physical and mental development later in life. Full Story

AKU Faculty and Staff Circle the Globe

In 2005, AKU faculty and staff made presentations at numerous international conferences, seminars and workshops. Full Story

$83 Million Global Fund-Raising Campaign Kicks Off in Canada

When AKU launched its first global fund-raising campaign in 1983, the Ismaili community in Canada represented by far the largest donor segment in the world. Today, four campaigns later, this still holds true. Full Story

2nd International Family Medicine Conference
Family Medicine Central to Effective Delivery of Health Care in Developing Countries

Family medicine’s central role in the effective and efficient delivery of health care to the burgeoning populations of developing countries was highlighted by experts of national and international repute at the inaugural session of the three-day 2nd International Family Medicine Conference at AKU in February 2005. Full Story

South Asian Cardiovascular Research Methodology Workshop
Research Training Vital for Combating Cardiovascular Diseases

Pakistan is witnessing an epidemic rise in cardiovascular diseases which carries with it a devastating economic and social impact. Since treatment is not only limited to transitory relief but is also prohibitively expensive, there is an emergent need to develop community-based preventive strategies for combating cardiovascular diseases. However, the paucity of research in developing countries remains a major stumbling block. Full Story

Medical College Admits First Second-Generation Student

The year was 1986 and Bashir Hanif had just enrolled in Aga Khan University Medical College (AKU-MC). Bashir, who came from a village with a small open-air school and only one teacher for all grades, had worked extremely hard to reach this stage in life. Recognising Bashir’s genuine talent and case for support, the University offered financial assistance throughout his studies at the Medical College. Full Story

Misperceptions Between the West and Muslim World Still to be Bridged

Dr Maleeha Lodhi, High Commissioner for Pakistan to the UK, was the featured speaker at the University’s Special Lecture Series programme in December 2004. Full Story

PGME Programmes Commence in Kenya

In keeping with its international mandate and mission to develop quality human resources in the areas of health and education, AKU has witnessed rapid expansion in recent years and now has ten teaching sites in seven countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. Full Story

Pakistan is a Goldmine for the Design and Implementation of Molecular Genetics Research – Dr Philippe Frossard

Recognition came early in life for Dr Philippe Frossard. At the age of 16, he was awarded UNESCO’s Young World Scientist Prize for a project, presented at the First Earth Summit, on the effects of environmental pollution on eco- and geo-political systems. Dr Frossard received his higher education at the Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France, and went on to complete two post-doctoral fellowships in biological chemistry and molecular biology at the same institution. Full Story

Drug and Poison Information Centre
Serving the Community and Saving Lives             

It was late at night when the Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC) at the University Hospital (AKUH) received a frantic call from a mother whose two-year-old son had swallowed a number of tablets prescribed to her for hypertension. The hysterical mother had no idea what to do. The pharmacist at DPIC calmed her down, asked for the name of the medicine and quickly recommended required counter-measures and first aid treatment. The right piece of information at the right time helped save a life. Full Story

First Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant at BMT Unit

AKUH reached a major milestone in July 2004 when its Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit carried out a successful allogeneic transplant, the first such procedure performed at the recently established facility. Full Story

PhD Holder Heading Nursing Services Division at AKUH

AKU achieved yet another distinction in the field of nursing when its Hospital became the first in the country with a Pakistani PhD holder heading the Nursing Services Division. Full Story

First Nursing Graduation Ceremony in Kenya

AKU’s first graduation ceremony in Kenya was held at Aga Khan Pavilion in Nairobi on December 6, 2004. Forty-one graduates of the University’s Advanced Nursing Studies (ANS) programme received the Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing Diploma, while five others were awarded specialist diplomas in Accident, Emergency and Disaster Management. Full Story

SCHOOL

School Helps Strengthen Nursing Programmes in Afghanistan

Decades of destruction reduced much of the infrastructure in Afghanistan to little more than rubble and the health sector was no exception. Full Story

Syrian Delegation’s Visit

A delegation of nursing directors from Syria visited AKU in December 2004 with a view to acquire a better understanding of academic management at AKU-SON, including standard-setting as well as classroom instruction and clinical training of nursing students. Full Story

Alumna Awarded PhD in Nursing Informatics

The University’s School of Nursing added another PhD to its faculty when Dr Rafat Jan, Assistant Professor and Director of the BScN programme at AKU-SON, successfully completed her doctoral studies in nursing informatics at the University of Iowa, USA. Full Story

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PATIENT WELFARE PROGRAMME

New Dawn for Noman After Open Heart Surgery

Life was never easy for Noman, a 12-year-old boy who lives in a village in the more outlying suburbs of Hyderabad, Sindh. Full Story

IED Starts PhD Programme in Education    

In a major step towards further enhancing the quality of human resources in the developing world, AKU-IED is now offering a PhD programme in education. This four-year, full-time programme aims to produce exceptionally qualified researchers and focuses on teaching, learning, curriculum improvement and educational leadership. Full Story

Dr Memon First Pakistani Director of IED                                                                

Dr Muhammad Memon became the first Pakistani national to head Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) when he formally assumed charge as Director on January 1, 2005. Dr Memon succeeded Dr Gordon MacLeod who, following his inspirational three-year tenure in Karachi, is now serving as Head of Planning at the University’s Institute for Educational Development, Eastern Africa, Tanzania. Full Story

Civil Society Can Weave Culture of Discourse, Peace and Pluralism

Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) is fast emerging as a unifying platform which brings together scholars from various academic disciplines for meaningful intellectual encounters. Established in 2002, the ultimate goal of the London-based AKU-ISMC is to strengthen research and teaching on the heritage of Muslim societies in all its historic diversity. Full Story