Aga Khan foundation to invest heavily in Arusha

HIS Highness the Aga Khan has reiterated his intention to establish a network of higher learning institutions in East Africa including the proposed modern university campus in Arusha.

Speaking here during His Highness’ visit to the East African Community Secretariat, Aga Khan revealed that the US$ 450-million (8 trillion/-) complex will be developed over the next 15 years.


In developing the multiple campuses and new programmes in Arusha and Nairobi, Aga Khan University will invest over US$700 million in the region over the next fifteen years, providing direct employment to approximately 4,000 people on an ongoing basis.


Already, one third of the students attending the existing AKU campuses are from East Africa. At full capacity, the new East Africa campuses will educate 3000 students.


The Secretary General of the East African Community, Dr Richard Sezibera, held talks with His Highness the Aga Khan, Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on Thursday when His Highness paid a courtesy call on the SG.


He briefed the EAC officials about the ongoing several Aga Khan Development Network projects in East Africa including the inauguration of the US$ 50 million Aga Khan University (AKU) Hospital’s Heart and Cancer Centre in Nairobi, the laying of foundation stone of the AKU Graduate School of Media and Communications in Nairobi and the ongoing construction of a modern university campus in Arusha.


The Secretary General hailed His Highness the Aga Khan for conceptualizing the University of East Africa campus in Arusha, Tanzania which he said would contribute to the creation of an East African identity.


“Your Highness, your vision is very exciting and compelling and we (the East African Community) support these noble objectives meant to develop the region as a unit,” said Dr Sezibera.


The Secretary General called for the need for the Community to work closely with AKDN in the areas of education, research and healthcare. The two sides agreed to form a coordinating team to explore further the areas of collaboration between AKDN and the EAC.


His Highness the Aga Khan was accompanied by the President of the Aga Khan University in Kenya, Mr Firoz Rasul; the Resident Representative of AKDN in Uganda, Mr Mahmood H. Ahmed; and Mr Shafik Sachedina, AKDN’s Director of Diplomatic Services.


The Secretary General was accompanied by his Deputy in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Mr Jean Claude Nsengiyumva; the Principal Education Officer, Mr Aloysius Chebet; and other senior officials.


The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims, is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.


The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for philanthropic activity is in excess of US$ 600 million.
 
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