The Aga Khan University (AKU) is setting a new benchmark for quality assurance in higher education with its groundbreaking Student-Led Self-Assessment Report (SAR) initiative. Hailed as a "transformative" model by a world-renowned pioneer, the initiative gives students an active and powerful voice in improving their academic programmes, an approach that is the first of its kind in Pakistan's higher education sector.
The journey toward this milestone began when AKU first involved students in the co-design of the Student-Led SAR model, working in close partnership to create a framework for meaningful engagement. Following successful pilots across four academic programmes, the model quickly gained attention. It received international recognition at a global roundtable as a promising innovation in student partnership.
This domestic success and international validation have positioned AKU as a national leader. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has acknowledged AKU’s pioneering work and subsequently invited the University to collaborate on developing a national policy framework to embed student engagement within internal quality assurance systems across Pakistan.
AKU's Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning (QTL_net) recently hosted the Students as Partners (SaP) Symposium 2025, convening students, faculty, and staff from Pakistan, East Africa, and the UK. The symposium celebrated the success of the Student-Led SAR initiative, where students conduct self-assessments, identify areas for improvement, and provide actionable insights that are directly transforming teaching and learning.
A major highlight was the keynote address by Professor Alison Cook-Sather, a global leader in the Students as Partners approach. Professor Cook-Sather commended AKU’s Student-Led SAR model, endorsing it as an initiative that should be scaled up and integrated into institutional quality systems, noting it represents a significant way to embed partnership in universities.
The symposium marks the next major step in AKU’s commitment, showcasing its leadership, launching a dedicated SaP website, and extending collaboration to international universities to champion this student-centred transformation.
The Aga Khan University (AKU) is setting a new benchmark for quality assurance in higher education with its groundbreaking Student-Led Self-Assessment Report (SAR) initiative. Hailed as a "transformative" model by a world-renowned pioneer, the initiative gives students an active and powerful voice in improving their academic programmes, an approach that is the first of its kind in Pakistan's higher education sector.
The journey toward this milestone began when AKU first involved students in the co-design of the Student-Led SAR model, working in close partnership to create a framework for meaningful engagement. Following successful pilots across four academic programmes, the model quickly gained attention. It received international recognition at a global roundtable as a promising innovation in student partnership.
This domestic success and international validation have positioned AKU as a national leader. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has acknowledged AKU’s pioneering work and subsequently invited the University to collaborate on developing a national policy framework to embed student engagement within internal quality assurance systems across Pakistan.
AKU's Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning (QTL_net) recently hosted the Students as Partners (SaP) Symposium 2025, convening students, faculty, and staff from Pakistan, East Africa, and the UK. The symposium celebrated the success of the Student-Led SAR initiative, where students conduct self-assessments, identify areas for improvement, and provide actionable insights that are directly transforming teaching and learning.
A major highlight was the keynote address by Professor Alison Cook-Sather, a global leader in the Students as Partners approach. Professor Cook-Sather commended AKU’s Student-Led SAR model, endorsing it as an initiative that should be scaled up and integrated into institutional quality systems, noting it represents a significant way to embed partnership in universities.
The symposium marks the next major step in AKU’s commitment, showcasing its leadership, launching a dedicated SaP website, and extending collaboration to international universities to champion this student-centred transformation.
