About Us
The Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (IED, EA), based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was established in 2007 to contribute to the development and strengthening of educational systems across East Africa and beyond.
IED, EA serves as a leading hub for advancing education in region and draws students, educators, and education professionals from across East Africa including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique as well as other countries in the world. As part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Institute is committed to supporting inclusive and equitable education systems that enable individuals and communities to thrive.
Our flagship Master of Education (M.Ed.) programme equips educators with the knowledge, skills, and reflective practice needed to become effective leaders, exemplary teachers, and change agents who can drive transformational change in classrooms, institutions, and communities. In addition, IED, EA offers short tailor-made courses, and professional development opportunities for teachers, school leaders, and education professionals through its Centre for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL).
Research and innovation are central to the Institute’s mission and contribute to addressing key development challenges in education across East Africa. Over the years, IED, EA has undertaken research in major areas such as improving teaching and learning in mathematics and science, integrating technology in learning, early childhood education, educational leadership and management, teacher education, gender and inclusion, and language and literacy. Faculty members strengthen research culture through thematic Research Interest Groups including multilingual literacies, inclusion and equity, leadership and management, science and mathematics, and digital literacy.
IED, EA also prioritizes community engagement and outreach. Through CELL, the Institute supports teacher and school improvement initiatives that enhance learning outcomes at scale. Since the revitalization of CELL on 1 July 2023, the Centre has trained 5,547 teachers across East Africa, subsequently impacting more than 320,000 learners. The Institute also implements regional projects such as the Foundations for Learning (F4L) Project, which trained 293 college tutors and 1,646 student teachers in alignment with national standards.
Through strong partnerships with local and regional institutions, and by convening education stakeholders through platforms such as the Regional Education Conferences and the Annual Research Institute (ARI), IED, EA contributes to evidence-informed policy dialogue, innovation, and sustainable improvement in education systems across the region and beyond.
