Aga Khan University has been recognised as a leading employer in a range of fields by four awarding bodies this year, from the public and private sector.
The accolades acknowledge the University’s role in enabling its 15,000 plus staff in Pakistan to achieve their potential and make an impact on society.
Being an employer of choice
The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), a trade body of the country’s leading employers, deemed AKU as the Employer of the Year 2018 in the multinational company category. The competitive award saw organisations graded on the strength of their practices in employee welfare, compensation and benefits, and career development policy.
The EFP, which represents the country’s largest companies and is part of the United Nations’s International Labour Organization, strives to recognise institutions meeting global best practices in human resources, labour policies, and those making a contribution to achieving the sustainable development goals.
The University also picked up the 2019 Best Place to Work award in the healthcare industry from the Pakistan Society for Human Resource Management and Engage Consulting. The annual award honours organisations achieving the highest scores in anonymous internal surveys that capture employee engagement on themes such as a sense of belonging, alignment with organisational values, commitment and growth opportunities.
AKU was also one of 27 institutions recognised for being leaders in their respective industries.
Meeting obligations to government and employees
The federal government’s Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution presented the University with the Best Compliant Employer prize. The award recognises the University’s contributions to the government’s retirement and social insurance scheme and its commitment to extending benefits to its workforce.
Advancing diversity and inclusive workplace practices
The Centre of Global Diversity and HR Metrics in Pakistan selected AKU as the leading organisation in Pakistan in three categories. Awards recognised the University’s policies relating to Benefits, Work-Life Integration, and Flexibility; as well as Recruitment, Retention, Development and Advancement. The University was also commended for its initiatives in the area of Women Inclusion.
“We strive to offer the best work environment and career growth opportunities to all our employees,” said Carol Ariano, vice president of human resources at AKU. “These awards reflect and reinforce our desire to embody excellence in whatever we do.”