Welcome Message from the President​​​

​In so many ways, the Aga Khan University is a powerful force for good. 

Here, talented young women and men receive a life-changing education that prepares them to succeed in the global knowledge economy, to lead change at home and abroad and to collaborate with others in a diverse world. 

AKU’s cutting-edge research, innovation and practice are helping to address crucial problems facing Africa and Asia, including maternal and child mortality, pandemic diseases, gender inequality and the s​hortage of high-quality primary and secondary education. 

Every year, approximately 2 million people rely on our hospitals and health centres for everything from primary care to neurosurgery.

In all of the regions in which we work, AKU strives to meet international standards of excellence in higher education and health care delivery – and to inspire other organizations to do likewise. At the same time, we provide millions of dollars in patient welfare and financial assistance to ensure that cost does not prevent access to our hospitals and academic programmes.​

In an era of division, AKU works to increase understanding and collaboration across borders and boundaries of all kinds. We have a long record of successfully partnering with world-renowned universities, leading global institutions and local and national governments. 

For all these reasons, and for many others, I am proud to serve as President of the Aga Khan University. ​​

Sincerely,

Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin
President and Vice-Chancellor​

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulaiman Shahabuddin
 
 
 
 
September 23
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aga Khan University
September 23
 
AKU and the German Development Bank (KfW) held a bilateral engagement in Frankfurt, Germany. The AKU delegation which comprised Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President; Shagufta Hassan, VP Finance; Agnes Shihemi, Director Bilateral Relations met with Mr. Michael Wehinger, KfW Director for East and West Africa; Mr. Philip Graf von Schwerin, KfW, Head of Division; and their colleagues.

KfW is a long-standing development partner of AKU, supporting investments in academic infrastructure and training programs across East Africa. The meeting highlighted significant milestones achieved through this partnership that is established within the KfW and the East African Community (EAC) Cooperation. AKU values and appreciates EAC’s important role in facilitating and strengthening this collaboration.

A new €15M commitment was announced to support the completion of expanded academic facilities and student residences, integration of net-zero initiatives and simulation- based learning at the University’s Nakawa campus in Uganda. The investment will also provide financial assistance for deserving EAC students pursuing programs in Nursing, Midwifery and Medicine as well as boost the process of developing agreement on mutual recognition of qualifications to facilitate greater professional mobility for nurses and midwives across the EAC.
 
 
 
 
 
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Sulaiman Shahabuddin
 
 
 
 
September 22
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There is a particular kind of energy that comes from standing in a room with people who carry an institution's values into the world long after they've left its classrooms. London gave us that this week, as more than 100 AKU alumni gathered with our Board of Trustees.

I spoke about where our University is headed — the ambitions we are building toward, the standards we continue to hold ourselves to. But listening was the more instructive part of the evening. In every conversation, I saw the same thread: an education that shaped not just careers, but a way of engaging with the world responsibly and with purpose.

Institutions are ultimately measured by the people they send forward. Evenings like this are a quiet, powerful reminder of that.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aga Khan University
September 22
 
UK AKU Alumni meet AKU Board of Trustees

The energy was palpable at the Aga Khan Centre in London as more than 100 AKU alumni in the UK gathered for a special reception with President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, Chief Advancement Officer Zahra Somani, ICD.D, members of the AKU Board of Trustees and the University’s leadership.

While the President shared exciting updates regarding major developments at the University, alumni spent the evening catching up with old classmates and forging new connections. From reminiscing about university days to tapping along to high-energy music, the event confirmed what we already knew: this is a community that shows up for each other.

Congratulations to all AKU alumni for your success and the meaningful impact you make everyday in all that you do!

Once AKU, always AKU.

#AKUAlumni #AKUAlumniUK
 
 
 
 
 
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Sulaiman Shahabuddin
 
 
 
 
September 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It was wonderful to spend some time with our AKU Medical College students, Rija Ahsan and Maryam Amer Malik, who recently made history by winning gold in the Girls’ Quadruple Scull (2,000m) at the Vienna International Rowing Regatta.

Beyond the gold medal, what stood out during our conversation was their passion, discipline and determination, and, of course, the stories behind balancing life as medical students with the demands of competitive rowing!

Their journey is a good reminder that university life is about much more than lectures, assignments and exams. Our students continue to pursue their passions, challenge themselves and achieve remarkable things both inside and outside the classroom.

Rija and Maryam truly embody this spirit, and their achievement is a great example of what can happen when talent, teamwork and plenty of hard work come together.

Congratulations, Rija and Maryam. AKU is proud of you both! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sulaiman Shahabuddin
 
 
 
 
September 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aga Khan University
September 2 
 
 
 
Developing Healthcare Leaders for Tomorrow (DHLT) 2026, AKU's premier leadership development programme, recently concluded with closing ceremonies across 10 locations: Karachi, Islamabad, Gilgit, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Kisumu, Syria, Tajikistan, and Kabul.

Designed as a hybrid learning experience, DHLT develops the skills, behaviours, and leadership mindset of faculty and staff, empowering them to excel in their current roles and prepare for future leadership opportunities.

A total of 169 participants representing Aga Khan University (AKU), Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), and the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) successfully completed the programme.

In his keynote address, President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin highlighted the programme's unique contribution to leadership development across the AKDN health system, noting, “DHLT has established a unique platform within AKDN, bringing together health-system leaders and professionals from across the Network to learn, exchange experiences and address shared challenges. Few opportunities for collaboration are more powerful than learning together and translating collective knowledge into stronger health systems across AKDN.”

Reflecting on the journey on behalf of the graduating cohort, the valedictorian captured the spirit of the programme, sharing, "This doesn't feel like an ending, but rather a new beginning."

Congratulations to the DHLT 2026 cohort! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sulaiman Shahabuddin
 
 
 
 
August 27 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aga Khan University
August 27 
 
 
 
Aga Khan University and Habib Bank Limited share a longstanding commitment to serving people and communities across Pakistan. The opening of the new AKUH Pharmacy and Laboratory at HBL Clifton Tower today marks another step in our growing partnership.

The new facility brings AKUH’s trusted healthcare services closer to HBL employees, offering greater convenience. It is the Bank’s second AKU Pharmacy, following the opening of the first at HBL Plaza in 2024.

This collaboration reflects the strength of what can be achieved when two institutions bring together their respective expertise, reach and infrastructure. We look forward to building on this relationship and exploring further opportunities to create meaningful value for the people connected to HBL and AKU and the wider public.

#AKUPartnerships 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sulaiman Shahabuddin
 
 
 
 
August 27 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aga Khan University
August 27 
 
 
 
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 | 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The latest edition of The President’s Review has been released, highlighting the wide-ranging progress AKU is making across its education, research and health care initiatives.

Have a look! https://lnkd.in/dpUtxhRk

#AKUAroundtheWorld 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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About President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin
Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin is the third President of Aga Khan University, arriving in late 2021.
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Aga Khan University, Stadium Road

P. O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan

T: +92 21 3486 3900 | E: president@aku.edu​​​