Profiles of Caretaker Federal Ministers
Profile of education minister Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Educated at the South Bank and Westminster, Universities in the U.K., and the University of Minnesota. U.S.A. Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha’s professional career has spanned over industrial development and higher education. For 16 years he headed Venture Capital Industrial tourism promotion initiatives of the Aga Khan Foundation for Economic Development. Thereafter nearly three decades, first as head of the planning and building team and later as Founding President and Trustee of AKU, he led the University in Pakistan, East Africa, Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria and the U.K.
Under his leadership the University attained international recognition for the quality of its academic and service programmes in Medicine, Nursing and Education.
Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha has served on the boards of several government, professional and research organizations, including Pakistan Medical Research Council and on numerous governmental bodies and advisory panels in the areas of government committee that developed and wrote the Environment Protection Act of the University of Central Asia in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
He was appointed Co-chair of the Task force for the Improvement of Higher Education in Pakistan by the Government of Pakistan and subsequently served as Chairman of the Steering committee on Higher Education, with the status of a Minister of State.
The President has also appointed him on the high level National Commission for Government Reforms and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
He is recognized for his pioneering leadership roles in voluntary community service and for enhancing Philanthropy. He is the founding Chair of the Board of Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy and a Board Member of the Pakistan Human Development fund of the government.
With this wide ranging involvement Dr. Kassim-Lakha has pioneered the building of world class institutions in Pakistan that have acted as successful bridges for the transfer of technical know-how, talent, and capital between the industrialized world and the developing countries.
In recognition of his services to higher education, health care and public service, he has received the degree of doctor of Laws, honoris causa from McMaster university of Canada (1984); the Sitara-i-Imtiaz from the president of Pakistan (1999); the award of Officer in the French National Order of Merit from President Jacques Chirac of France (2001); and the award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz from the President of Pakistan (2002).
Ismailimail 
Dear Dr. Kassim-Lakha:
What a wonderful profile. Your Minnesota family thinks of you often and wishes the best.
Sincerely,
Pamela Shepherd Nelson
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Dear Pam,
I just saw this today and was truely touched by your comment.
What I am owes much to my education in Minnesota, not just at the U but also among the extraordinary people of the state. Foremost among these are the Shepards, who gave me so much of themselves and enriched my life.
I am currently on my way home to Pakistan from Washington DC where I gave a talk at the Middle East Institute of Johns Hopkins University and attended the Board meeting of International Baccalaureate. The latter you might know is a school system across the world, rated among the most prestigeous academically.
How are you guys doing? What about the children and grand children. We now have five grand children of whom three are in the US and two in Canada. All our children you may recall are in North America.
Lots of affection from Khadijah and me to all of you and all members of the family.
Shamsh
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Dear Respected Sir,
Dr. Shamash Kassim Lakha ,
I really impressed so much by your beautiful life career.
we are praying for your healthy life..
with huge & kind regards
Muhammad Afzal
afzalyes@hotmail.com
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Dear Mr Lakha
Not hearing about you for a long time I tried to locate on the net and here is your profile,but it does not say where you are now a days.
I remember the days at AKU where you used to visit the site and inquire about our families. You were the Icon for us at AKU.
Wish You and Your Family Happy New Year.
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Thank you Farooq. I just saw this message from you. I am touched by your comment and hope you and your family are well. My wife and I live in Karachi but do travel to North America and Europe a couple of times a year to meet with family members. I travel more often on several assignments relating to certain Board memberships and to deliver speeches at selected seminars and colloquiums.
Let me know news about yourself.
With best wishes,
Shamsh
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Dear Shamsh Kassim-Lakha,
My name is Marod and I conducted my PhD research on universties in Paksitan in 2006. I was very priviliged that I met you in Karachi and benefited from your contribution, especially your speach at the last Faculty Assembly gave me first hand knowledge about history and philosophy of AKU. AKU was one of my case studies along with 6 other higher education institutions in Pakistan. I have published the thesis as a book, entitled ‘Islam and Higher Education: Concepts, Challenges, and Opportunities’ and wanted to tell you about this publication but could not find your e-mail address. Here is the link to the book
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415687508/
and the link to the 20 % discount flyer in case you or anybody visiting this site wanting to purchase the book:
http://www.filedropper.com/islamandhighereducationflye
Thanks and best regards
Marod
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Please mail hard copies of the book at the Aga khan University address for Dr. Shams Kassim Lahka and few copies for the University Library.
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