About ​Us​

The mission of the Aga Khan University (AKU) is to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond through world-class teaching, research and health-care delivery. The University educates students about local and global leadership, generates new knowledge to solve problems that affect millions of people, and raises standards and aspirations in the countries in which it works. We empower women and the disadvantaged, build support for pluralism, and collaborate with local partners and world-renowned organizations to achieve shared goals. 

Founded in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private university, AKU is a not-for-profit institution and an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. Starting in 2000, the University expa​​nded​ to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom. ​

AKU began life as a health-sciences university. We are among the largest private health-care providers in Pakistan and East Africa. Our hospitals were the first in those regions accredited by the U.S.-based Joint Commission International, and our research and our graduates have influenced health policy and practice nationally and internationally. 

More recently, we have initiated programmes in teacher education, the study of Muslim civilisations, journalism, early childhood development and public policy. In September 2023, we have launched a Faculty of Arts and Sciences the programmes of which aim to educate future leaders in a wide range of fields, and we will establish additional graduate professional schools. ​

Our goal, in the words of our founder and Chancellor, His Highness t​he Aga Khan, is to be “on the frontiers of scientific and humanistic knowledge, radiating intelligence and confidence, research and graduates, into flourishing economies and progressive legal and political systems.”​

Learn more about the University and its work to empower the people of th​e developing world.​​​​​

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Campu​ses
Learn about our presence in 5 countries across 3 continents.


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LEADERSHIP


 

​​Fou​nder and Chancellor​​

His Highness the Aga K​han became Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. 

He is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, ​and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.

Son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan, Prince Karim Aga Khan w​as born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva. 

He spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, and then attended Le Rosey School​ in Switzerland for nine years. 

He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islam​ic history.​

Read More​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​| Chancellor's Commission​ Report​

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3,671
Current
Students ​

20,043
​Degree/Diploma​ Awarded

12,697
 Staff ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

854
Faculty ​​​​​​​​

Updated as of February 2024​​​​​​

   

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Join our Family

Looking to make an impact? Here’s how you can get involved with our work.​

Careers | Make a gift​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​








More Than Ever

We continue to focus on areas where our expertise can make the greatest difference. More than Ever demonstrates how our initiatives in healthcare, education and research are addressing today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.







HONO​​URS & RECOGNITION

From research achievements to quality in academics and healthcare, AKU has earned recognition both nationally and internationally.

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