There are moments in life when dedication, perseverance, and service are recognized in a way that transcends individual achievement, becoming a beacon for others to follow. The Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) - two of Pakistan’s highest civil honours - are bestowed upon those whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the nation. This year, on Pakistan's 78th Independence Day, Dr Mola Dad Shafa, AKU Alumnus and faculty member, received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, while fellow alumnus Dr Mansour Memon received the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, in recognition of their longstanding service to the nation.
The contributions of Dr Mola Dad Shafa and Dr Mansour Memon embody the values of service, discipline, and excellence that lie at the heart of AKU’s vision. Their recognition not only honours their personal journeys, but also shows how AKU enables its people to make a difference in diverse settings. Since 1991, AKU’s faculty and staff have been honoured with over 32 civil awards — a reminder of the University’s enduring contribution to Pakistan. For many, like Dr Shafa and Dr Memon, AKU has been the place where their paths began, giving them the foundation to build careers that have touched lives nationally and globally.
Dr Mola Dad Shafa and Dr Mansour Memon will be formally decorated with these national honours on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2026.
Dr Mola Dad Shafa was honoured for his transformative contributions to education and human development during his tenure as Head of AKU’s Professional Development Centre, North (PDCN) in Gilgit-Baltistan. Throughout his career, Dr Shafa’s focus on institutional capacity building has created lasting improvements in Pakistan's educational landscape. Under his leadership, AKU’s PDNC developed into a regional hub for educational excellence, positively impacting millions of lives.
At PDCN, Dr Shafa helped establish critical partnerships with GB's School Education Department, resulting in systemic reforms that improved teaching standards across the region. The institute became known for its comprehensive training programs that reached over 25,000 education professionals, significantly enhancing classroom instruction throughout GB. Dr Shafa also expanded PDCN's institutional role, making it a regional centre for multiple AKDN agencies working in education.
Dr Shafa has directly influenced over 75,000 stakeholders, including 25,000 formal course participants, and indirectly impacted millions through PDCN’s outreach, promoting hope, peace, coexistence, and the love of knowledge. Perhaps his most impactful contribution was the GB Education Fellows Project, which addressed teacher shortages by placing 1,254 qualified educators in underserved government schools. This initiative alone benefited more than 100,000 students while demonstrating how strategic human resource deployment could transform educational access.
His impact was noted in the GB government's 2018 recognition of PDCN as "Best Friend of Education".
Dr Mansour Memon graduated from the Aga Khan University of Health Sciences in 1991. He is a respected physician, humanitarian, and cultural ambassador, known internationally as Pakistan’s “Ambassador-at-Large”. Dr Memon has played a vital role in promoting Pakistan’s positive image worldwide. His career reflects a deep commitment to leadership and public service.
Dr Memon is a dynamic and accomplished medical professional with an unparalleled blend of clinical expertise and leadership in advanced life support and healthcare education. He brings over a decade of hands-on clinical experience combined with tenured skills as a healthcare service provider, educator and humanitarian. He has a proven track record of driving operational excellence, fostering professional development, and building successful healthcare enterprises.
Beyond his own achievements, Dr Memon has mentored and placed a large number of Pakistani medical graduates into Canadian residency programs, and facilitated the recruitment of over 1,000 Pakistani healthcare professionals to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), opening doors for a new generation. He was an Examiner of Saudi Council for Health Commission-Residency Program, which is a rare distinction for any expatriate.
Dr Memon also set the standard for humanitarian leadership in Pakistan. He Co-founded the Dua-e-Fatima Diabetic & Endocrinology Centre in Hyderabad, offering free medical care to thousands. He also led extensive flood relief efforts and established a transformative model village in Sindh, acting as a blueprint for sustainable development. His compassionate advocacy even secured the release of Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia. As Chairman of Sindh Skills Development Program, he leads the vision of career counselling of youth along with vibrant team of SSDP and facilitated placement in progressive avenues.
Dr Memon has received multiple accolades from globally recognized institutions for contributions in medical training and community services. This includes leadership awards from Fakeeh Health Care in Saudi Arabia, and Royal Oman Police - Sultanate of Oman, as well as the Scientific Excellence Recognition from the Pediatric Association in Egypt.
