Why Global Leaders Choose to Mentor

Mentor with the Aga Khan University, Global Engagement Office (GEO)!

​​Partner with AKU’s Global Mobility Programmes​—on-site (IIP) and virtual (VIP)—to turn expertise into impact. Through scoped, cross-cultural pr​ojects, mentors strengthen inclusive coaching skills, accelerate priority work, and tap exceptional talent from international universities worldwide.

Our end-to-end s​upport—from TOR design and matching to onboarding, tracking, and wrap-up—makes mentoring purposeful and manageable for busy teams. Whether you’re advancing research, improving programme delivery, or building capacity across AKDN, mentorship creates measurable value for both mentors and host departments today and in the long term.

​📊 Proven Impact: Organizations with structured mentorship programmes report 49% reduction in turnover, accelerated leadership development, and enhanced innovation capacity. Mentors consistently report higher job satisfaction, expanded professional networks, and meaningful career advancement opportunities.

"The connections I made through mentoring international students opened doors to collaborative research funding and partnerships I never anticipated." — Senior Programme Manager, AKDN


Explore the tabs below: Why Mentor, Areas & Eligibility, and How It Works.​

The Impact of Mentorship

Our mentorship framework has delivered proven results: 92% satisfaction rate, 85% goal achievement, and 78% intercultural competency development. Join our community of leaders transforming careers, building global skills, and creating lasting professional impact across 20+ countries.

Global Mobility Programme mentorship impact statistics: 90+ mentors from 9 AKDN agencies, 500+ interns recruited, 92% satisfaction rate, 78% career advancement, 89% skill development

Mentor Resources​​​​​​​

All essential documents are available in our Mentor Resources onboarding folder to help you understand the programme and prepare a strong application. For essential r​eading, start here:​


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​In​terns Portfoli​o
​​​Real examples of intern projects and impact achieved across AKDN agencies​.

​Application Process Guide​
​Four-step application overview from TOR submis​sion to onboarding​.

​Mento​r Manual​
Complete guide covering roles, responsibilities, best practices, and programme structure​.​

Important Dates​ (2026​​ Cycles)

​Recruitment timelines for our On-site (IIP) and Virtual(VIP) Internship cohorts for the Spring, Summer and Fall:

  • Mentor TOR Submission Deadline: 31st October 2025

  • Virtual Spring 2026 Internship Period: 2nd March 2026 - 22nd May 2026

  • Virtual Summer 2026 Internship Period: 8th June 2026 - 28th August 2026

  • Onsite Summer 2026 Internship Start Dates: 11th May 2026 and 8th June 2026

  • ​Onsite and Virtual Fall 2026 Internship Start Dates:14th September 2026 and 12th October 2026

Mentor Voices

Hear what Dr. Shelina Bhamani, Lead for the Parenting Education Program and Assistant Professor, Research at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AKU has to say about her virtual mentorship experience

Mentor Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ​s)

Below are concise answers to common questions. For complete guidance on eligibility, timelines, application steps, and mentor benefits, access our Mentor Resources folder or read the Global Mobility Programme Mentor FAQs​.