The Aga Khan University had many achievements to its credit in 1999. The AKU School of Nursing celebrated its 20th anniversary with a major commitment to research. Six departments of its teaching hospital were ISO 9002 certified, and an ambitious process began for the whole hospital to achieve this notable standard of excellence. Three important buildings, which were completed during the year with excellent donor support, enhanced the physical profile of the campus while providing new impetus to research, community health sciences and sports and rehabiliation activities. THe Faculty of Health Sciences reaffirmed its commitment to health care by introducing AKU's first Ph.D. programme in the Basic Sciences. THe establishment of its second Professional Development Centre in Gilgit strengthened the outreach of the Institute for Educational Development.