Aga Khan network seeks partnerships
Zakir Hussain / 4 December 2008 / Straits Times
MS SITORA Shokamolova has a mission when she graduates in two years’ time from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
Armed with a master’s degree, she will join the faculty of the University of Central Asia (UCA) to share lessons in governance and tackling problems like corruption with her countrymen.
‘I hear first-hand how Asian countries organise and develop their economies, and these lessons will help us shorten our learning curve,’ said the 29-year-old from the ex-Soviet state of Tajikistan.
Ms Shokamolova is one of three Central Asians studying here on a full scholarship from UCA, which has a tie-up with the LKY school.
The university, which operates in English, has campuses in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Its director Bohdan Krawchenko told The Straits Times that public policy training for future staff like her is critical in helping emerging countries build their economies, social and health-care systems and tackle problems like corruption.
He was in Singapore this week for the visit of the Aga Khan, the hereditary leader of some 15 million Ismaili Shia Muslims around the globe.
UCA is one of nine agencies belonging to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded 40 years ago.
Dr Krawchenko is keen to explore partnerships with other academic institutions here, because of Singapore’s strong emphasis on human resource development.
This focus, notes Mr Tom Kessinger, AKDN’s deputy chairman, is in line with its aim to train local talent in developing countries to help uplift their societies.
The network is one of the world’s largest private philanthropic initiatives, with an annual budget in excess of US$500 million (S$765 million).
Its programmes include the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, and agencies that give cheap financing to the poor as well as those providing education and health care in more than 40 countries.
These efforts cut across religious lines. This approach is in line with the Muslim ethic of compassion to all, said Network spokesman Shahed Karim.
During his three-day visit, which ended yesterday, the Aga Khan called on President S R Nathan, was hosted to lunch by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and met Foreign Minister George Yeo.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Tuesday that both sides discussed developments in the Middle East, South Asia and South-east Asia, and the global financial crisis.
Both sides affirmed the importance of promoting inter-faith understanding and interaction, MFA said.
‘Discussions also centred on developing new areas of exchanges and collaboration, particularly in the fields of higher education and vocational and skills training,’ it added.
The Aga Khan was also hosted to dinner by Environment and Water Resources Minister and Minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs Yaacob Ibrahim on Tuesday.
Yesterday, he met about 5,000 Ismailis from around the region at the Singapore Expo, as part of his global tour to celebrate his Golden Jubilee with the community that he has led for 50 years.
‘I hear first-hand how Asian countries organise and develop their economies, and these lessons will help us shorten our learning curve.’
Ms Sitora Shokamolova, a 29-year-old from Tajikistan studying at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Ismailimail 