COVID-19: Message ​from ​President Firoz Rasul

March 16, 2020

We are experiencing extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances, which require a thoughtful and measured response and we are taking steps to make the necessary changes to our operations across our campuses to serve those who rely on us for their care while protecting our students, staff, faculty and patients. I am sharing a general update below.

The health and safety of those at the Aga Khan University is our highest priority. Based on evolving information about the spread of COVID-19 across the countries in which we operate, and the world at large, we are taking several steps and I seek your cooperation to act accordingly to ensure their effective implementation.   

General Overview

  • The number of people who test positive for COVID-19 is increasing across the globe, and cases now exist in Pakistan, Kenya and the UK. So far none have originated in our University, although we are currently treating COVID-19 patients, and this will continue until the presence of the virus abates. 

  • The Governments of Pakistan, Kenya, and UK have issued directives to alter behaviours, practices and programmes in the effort to reduce the infection rates.  

  • Public schools are closed in Pakistan and Kenya. ​Universities are closed in Pakistan and will close in Kenya by Friday, 20 March. 

Academic Programmes and Residences

  • In Pakistan, to protect the University community and comply with Government directives, while enabling students to complete the semester in Pakistan, the semester-based programme schedule has been adjusted to bring forward the Spring/Summer holidays. For MBBS, arrangements to provide instruction virtually and manage clinical learning are being implemented.   

  • In Kenya, academic University programmes will be suspended from Friday, 20 March and we will inform the students of alternative measures shortly.  

  • In UK, Tanzania and Uganda, where no specific directive has yet been issued, we are monitoring the situation.   

  • For the student residences, we are taking steps to facilitate the evacuation of students from the hostels in Pakistan. Students who live in on-and off-campus residences will vacate their residences by 19 March. As needed, similar measures may be employed in other countries.  

Health Services

  • ​The University continues to provide the high-quality health services for which we are known in the hospitals, clinics, labs, and public health centres. Special efforts are being made to prepare separate facilities for COVID-19 patients.  

Cross-Campus Changes

  • The University is taking several steps to limit the exposure of AKU employees to the virus.

  • Visitors are being discouraged from coming to campus and will be stopped at the entrances. 

Working from Home

  • Efforts are underway to limit the number of employees on our campuses.  Employees who can work remotely will be strongly encouraged to do so. Managers will identify essential staff, and review the infrastructure in place to enable their employees who are not essential to work remotely.  

Gatherings ​

  • All University sponsored events are cancelled. Conferences, training courses, continuing medical education sessions, athletic competitions, professional development training, whether internal or public, are being cancelled.  

Travel Matters

  • All University-sponsored travel is suspended whether to international or domestic destinations unless it is deemed essential to the operations of the University. The specific approval of the responsible manager and the Vice President, or their designate, is required.  

  • Anyone returning from international travel is required to self-isolate for at least 14 days upon arrival. This is regardless of whether symptoms are evident.  

Personal Hygiene

  • All employees are strongly encouraged to practice the highest level of personal hygiene, to wash hands frequently with soap and water, maintain a social distance of two metres, to avoid touching the face and to drink plenty of water.  

  • Anyone who exhibits any symptoms of illness should inform their manager/supervisor, and remain at home.    ​

We Need to Work Together 

  • Details concerning the management and implementation of all that has been mentioned here will be provided in a separate message from Human Resources. The Provost’s Office will provide more information on academic programmes across the various campuses.

  • This pandemic presents the greatest challenge the world has seen in decades, and it is critically important that we act, both individually and collectively, such that we are able to change the trajectory of the virus, slow its progress and ultimately halt its impact on our communities.  

  • I know that as a committed, caring and responsible university community, we will work together to contribute our knowledge, skills and compassion to help all our stakeholders through this crisis.