Pamir Times Report – The historic convocation ceremony drew over 4,000 guests – one of the largest convocation gatherings in recent times. The participants included the Board of Trustees, faculty, students and supporters of the University from around the world.
The Convocation also saw four highly respected members of the University honoured for their achievements and contribution to the success of the institution.
The Award of Distinction Doctor of Humane Letters, honouris causa, was presented to Mr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, the founding President of AKU for being a pioneer in bringing new perspectives to the delivery of university education, thereby impacting the entire higher education sector. The Award of Excellence in Research was given to Dr Anita Zaidi, Chair, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, for being at the forefront of world-class research in defining low-cost solutions to reduce the high burden of death of newborn and child deaths associated with infectious diseases in the developing world. The Award of Excellence in Education was given to Ms Jacqueline Dias, Director, BScN Programme and Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan for her leadership of baccalaureate education at the School and in Pakistan. The Award of Distinction was presented to Dr Thomas Christie, the founding director of the Aga Khan University Examination Board. Dr Christie’s work is devoted to the promotion of educational change through the creation of public examination systems.
The Aga Khan used the opportunity to show his appreciation to the numerous donors while he inaugurated new facilities on the Karachi campus including the Aamir Kanji Gardens and the Jenabai Hussainali Shariff Building. He also toured the expanded Labour and Delivery Ward, built with the support of the Aziz T. Valimohammed family, and visited the construction site for the Centre of Innovation in Medical Education.
The Chancellor also had a short discussion with a number of senior faculty members.
Ismailimail 