This year, World Environment Day at the Aga Khan University (AKU) featured a Climate Photography Exhibition on 5 of its campuses. Having received nearly 200 submissions from students, faculty and staff in all 6 countries of operations, three winning photographs and 30 more for display were selected to give life to the annual theme around climate, as designated by UNEP.
Featuring inputs from AKU leadership and reflections from the photographers themselves, the opening ceremonies pulsed with emotion and thoughtfulness. These sentiments were also reflected in the displayed images, including the serenity of nature, extreme weather events from flood to drought, and the need for balance of human-environment interactions.
Seeking to do more than just another talk, and to engage the entire AKU community through multiple senses, the AKU Office of Environment and Sustainability every year ideates and facilities activities for World Environment Day. Previous actions included transforming trash to art on the theme of plastics in 2025, and establishing micro-forests across our campuses on the theme of land restoration in 2024.
Other activities this year to commemorate the day and engage the community within and outside the University included the documentary screening of the VRW documentary 'The Sky is Far, The Earth is Tough' followed by a panel discussion, a webinar titled 'How to do research in a green lab', as well as the launch of Sustainability Campus Grants for the AKU community to move their ideas to actions.
At the new Nakawa Campus in Kampala, Uganda, the University Centre's exhibition space hosted World Environment Day as one of the first exhibitions.
At Stadium Road campus in Karachi, Pakistan, a significant crowd was drawn in to experience the photographers' visions and reflections.
In AKU's Salama House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, students and employees alike celebrated to create a sense of hope for climate action.
In Nairobi, Kenya, the atmosphere was a resounding sense of optimism brought together in AKU's multi-dimensional climate investments from operational efficiency to practice changes and awareness.
At IED in Karachi, Pakistan, the newly designated Funkari studio was filled with presence and engagement, with speeches linking AKU's climate education to our climate action.
Read more about AKU's commitments and progress on environment and sustainability here.
