“The younger generation has a responsibility to lead the country into the future, which requires true patriotism, quality education, hard work and dedication that inspires the country's development goals,” said Mr. Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
On Saturday 19 June, the University of Central Asia (UCA) celebrated the achievements of its inaugural cohort of graduates: the Class of 2021. The live-streamed Convocation brought together students, family members, faculty and well-wishers across multiple countries and time zones around the world. Delivering the Chancellor’s address, His Highness the Aga Khan spoke of the strong bonds forged by UCA across frontiers, and the resulting potential to address the challenges of development in the region. “Students of world history remind us how Central Asia, a thousand years ago, led the world in cultural and intellectual achievements,” said His Highness.
On 19 June 2021, against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, the University of Central Asia celebrated the achievements of its inaugural cohort of graduates: the Class of 2021. The live-streamed Convocation brought together students, family members, faculty and well-wishers across multiple countries and time zones around the world.
On 19 June 2021, against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, the University of Central Asia celebrated the achievements of its inaugural cohort of graduates: the Class of 2021. The live-streamed Convocation brought together students, family members, faculty and well-wishers across multiple countries and time zones around the world.
“Twenty-one years ago, I joined the Presidents of the Founding States in signing an extraordinary International Treaty that brought three countries together to establish the University of Central Asia as a single, multi-campus, regional institution of higher learning,” said His Highness the Aga Khan. “Today's graduation event, held simultaneously in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is an example of the power of education and international cooperation. It is a power that can change people’s lives.”
The early years of a child’s life are crucial for developing life-long skills and sets the foundation for all subsequent learning, but in Tajikistan, pre-school education is not an option for a large majority of children. Since 2009, the Aga Khan Foundation has been working to meet this critical need for more early childhood development centres and to date has helped 18,000 Tajik children aged 3-6 years gain access to such services.
“The idea of the Aga Khan University came about in the mid-1970s, with the dream of creating a university in the developing world, which would have the highest of international standards,” said His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta. “Today is the day that will feature prominently in the history of our nation: the day we empowered a generation and expanded the capacity for delivering our destiny.
On 11 June 2021, the Aga Khan University received its Charter from President Uhuru Kenyatta and inaugurated its new US$ 50 million (Ksh 5 billion) state-of-the-art University Centre. “The phrase 'Aga Khan' has become synonymous with elevating educational standards and delivering holistic training,” said President Uhuru Kenyatta. “From pre-school to tertiary learning, its footprints are felt in this nation and region as a whole; with the present university that we are awarding a Charter today, being the latest testament of the journey of academic excellence that is, the Aga Khan brand.”
In his inaugural address of the University Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, Aga Khan University President Firoz Rasul described the US $50 million investment designed by internationally renowned architecture firm Payette of Boston to be “the springboard that launches a new era in the Aga Khan University’s history in Kenya – an era that will witness the fulfilment of our ambitious plans for growth and impact”.
The Aga Khan University (AKU) received its Charter from President Uhuru Kenyatta and inaugurated its new US$ 50 million (Ksh 5 billion) state-of-the-art University Centre in the President’s presence on Friday at a ceremony featuring an address by His Highness the Aga Khan. Professor Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha, Chairman of the Commission for University Education, and AKU President Firoz Rasul also addressed the audience.