After serving for 15 years as the President of the Aga Khan University, Firoz Rasul is to retire in order to spend more time with his family in Canada.
“On behalf of the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees, I would like to express our deep gratitude and acknowledgement for Firoz’s tireless efforts and many contributions to AKU”, says Dr Haile Debas, the chairman Board of Trustees, Aga Khan University. “The Chancellor has appointed Sulaiman Shahabuddin as the next President of the Aga Khan University. “
“I am extremely grateful to His Highness the Aga Khan for giving me and Saida the opportunity to serve AKU under his guidance and direction. I am grateful to the Chairman and Trustees for their sage counsel and advice. I am grateful to my colleagues at AKU for all the joint learning, discovery and knowledge; and for the compassion, commitment and courage, and for all the wonderful friendships,” said President Rasul in his speech at the AKU’s global convocation 2020.
Firoz Rasul has served as President of the Aga Khan University since May 1, 2006. Under his leadership, the University has experienced tremendous growth; improved the lives of millions of people in countries where AKU operates as a leading source of education, research, and health care; helped to increase the quality of the services provided by other universities and hospitals as a role model that spreads international standards and best practices; and assisted the governments in serving the people of Pakistan, East Africa and Afghanistan in particular.
Prior to his engagement with AKU, President Rasul was involved in building several business enterprises and the development of social and community institutions. He has served as a member of the University of British Columbia’s Board of Governors and as a Director on the Board of Science World, British Columbia. Between 2000 and 2006, he was President of the Aga Khan Council for Canada, where he led the development of several large-scale projects for the Aga Khan Development Network, including The Global Centre of Pluralism in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
“..President Rasul has asked to retire, and I have reluctantly agreed, understanding how important it will be for Firoz and Saida to spend the coming years with their children and grand-children in Canada,” said His Highness the Aga Khan at the 2020 AKU convocation. “Under Firoz’s leadership, our University has known remarkable growth in the past 15 years: new facilities, new campuses, new faculties and impressive new technologies. The University has also grown as a leading academic and intellectual force. AKU graduates are reaching the highest levels of qualification and accomplishment. It is most gratifying to see that some of them are now returning to AKU as faculty and leaders”. The Chancellor further noted:
“These achievements are a source of great happiness for our Trustees and me. President Rasul’s impressive accomplishments have given us the confidence to broaden our horizons and expand our aspirations of excellence.”
Ismailimail 