Aga Khan University set to expand

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World Health Day held at the AKUH

Heart matters: If oily food wasn’t enough, lack of exercise spells trouble
Diet and living habits expose Pakist­anis to cardio­vascul­ar diseas­es, say expert­s.
By Our Correspondent
Published: September 24, 2012

KARACHI: Greasy food, lack of playgrounds, no concept of exercise and a rising stress level may all seem like social or cultural factors, but actually spell trouble for the heart.

At the World Health Day seminar held at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), health experts pointed out the precarious Pakistani habits of diet and living that expose the population to heart attacks and other associated diseases. The hospital’s auditorium was packed with patients and experts likewise.


More....

http://tribune.com.pk/story/441477/hear ... s-trouble/

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World Heart Day at AKUH today


Karachi—Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has chalked-out an elaborate program to celebrate World Heart Day 2012 on Sunday with the theme One World, One Home, One Heart in the backdrop of the fact that Cardiovascular diseases are the world’s largest killers, claiming 17.3 million lives a year.

Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include raised blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, smoking, inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity.

The AKU program has been planned with the motive to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and governments to take action for reduction in the local burden of heart disease and stroke.

Dr Khawar Kazmi (consultant cardiologist), Dr Hasanat Sharif (consultant cardiac surgeon) and others will make their respective presentations on the occasion.

Awareness presentations will be followed by a heart walk from auditorium to the sport centre where the stalls will be setup for blood sugar and cholesterol testing, BP, BMI measurement, risk and micro fit assessment, and heart check and consultation.

The event would also include fun activities, like, games, lucky draws and healthy food stalls.—APP

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=175010
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AKUH launches clinical laboratory in Rawalpindi

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
From Print Edition

A state-of-the-art stat laboratory has been launched by the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Rawalpindi to better service the phlebotomy test needs of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as well as surrounding areas of northern Punjab, says a press release.

The laboratory will decrease test turnaround time, which from the patient’s perspective, reduces the waiting time for results and from the doctor’s permits physicians to make medical decisions in real time.

The Rawalpindi laboratory joins AKUH’s countrywide laboratory system, that includes a main laboratory with 12 stat labs and 192 specimen collection units throughout Pakistan. This lab will also perform procedures like fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies and Pap smear tests.

“This is our second initiative this year, to improve access and the quality of healthcare services offered in Pakistan. In February, AKUH’s Clinical Laboratories established Pakistan’s first fully automated biochemistry laboratory at the main lab in Karachi,” said Dr Farooq Ghani, director outreach, AKUH Clinical Laboratories.

“Now it is launching a stat lab in Rawalpindi. All stat labs and the main lab are linked electronically, allowing test results to be reported as soon as they are performed. Patients can also get their reports online, if they wish, instead of visiting the laboratory collection points again,” he said.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Professor Dr Naila Kayani, Chair, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, and director of Clinical Laboratories, discussed the service and research aspects of pathology department backstopping the laboratory system, “Quality is a hallmark of AKUH laboratories. The system is supported by AKU’s highly qualified and experienced faculty that have academic and research responsibilities and are responsible for the delivery of complex laboratory services in a teaching hospital.”

The chief guest on the occasion, AKUH’s Regional CEO for Health Services Asia, Nadeem Mustafa Khan, lauded the clinical laboratories’ continuous efforts to provide timely and high quality lab tests in conformance with stringent international quality standards.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6 ... Rawalpindi
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AKUH to commemorate World Mental Health Day on Oct 10

The Aga Khan University Hospital official said that the occasion is aimed to raise public awareness about the mental health issues The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) will commemorate the World Mental Health Day 2012 on October 10.

An official of the institution said Tuesday that the occasion is aimed to raise public awareness about the mental health issues.
This year‚ it was pointed out‚ the theme for the day is `Depression: A Global Crisis'.
Depression affects more than 350 million people of all ages‚ in all communities‚ and is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease.
On the occasion‚ the AKUH experts will highlight basic mental health issues‚ especially depression - a global crisis‚ management of depression in women‚ managing adolescent issues‚ depression in medical illnesses‚ and role of rehabilitation in recovery of depression.

http://www.radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-29635
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News 2012

First Time in Pakistan; Forty-day-old baby with congenital heart disease survives on artificial heart machine for three days

http://www.aku.edu/aboutaku/newsandeven ... -days.aspx
October 12, 2012

Mohammad Ahmed Baloch, a forty-day-old baby from Dera Allah Yar, Balochistan has become the first patient in Pakistan to survive on an artificial heart-lung machine for three days at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

The baby was born with a severe heart defect, where the two major vessels that carry blood away from the heart were misconnected. What this meant was that he was a ‘blue’ baby and with less oxygen in the blood, always short of breath. Without surgery, he stood no chance of surviving.

Brought to the Hospital’s Emergency Room, he was just 10 days old when doctors performed an initial life-prolonging procedure. “We had to create a hole in his heart, between the right and left chambers, so that the bloods could mix better,” says Dr Mehnaz Atiq, the paediatric cardiologist.
At one month Ahmed was ready for the next step, an operation that ‘switches’ the heart’s blood vessels back to their normal position and would permanently correct the problem.

The operation itself went well, but after the surgery, Ahmed’s blood pressure started to drop and it soon became evident that he needed help for this failing heart. His paediatric cardiac surgeon, Dr Muneer Amanullah and paediatric cardiologist, Dr Babar Hasan agreed that artificial heart support would provide the time needed for his heart to rest, recover and function properly.

To save Ahmed’s life, the paediatric cardiac and critical care team – assisted by Dr Asif Hasan from UK - had to set-up a customised heart-lung bypass system that acted like an ECMO (Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) machine, which is not available anywhere in Pakistan. It was the first such use of an ECMO procedure in the country.

“Although the ECMO period of 72 hours was most intensive for all team members, doctors and nurses, none of us can forget the amazing moment when the artificial support was taken off and the baby’s heart started beating on its own,” recalls Dr Amanullah, consultant paediatric cardiac surgeon. “His heart has fully recovered now and hopefully he is going home.”

Commenting on the procedure, Prof. Anita Zaidi, Chair, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health said that this is an extremely technically demanding undertaking and that “AKUH were successful shows how advanced and sophisticated our paediatric cardiac services and critical care team have become in a short space of time.”

The Hospital’s Patient Welfare Programme and the Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUH has supported Ahmed’s family. “We couldn’t have afforded this surgery without the Hospital’s assistance and very grateful for it,” says Sher Ahmed Baloch, Ahmed’s grandfather, a primary school teacher in Dera Allah Yar.


Media contact:

Rida Turabi, Senior Media Executive, Department of Public Affairs, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, on +92 21 3486 2931 or rida.turabi@aku.edu
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Post by kmaherali »

AKU Lecture: A History of Fatimid Military Architectu​re

A History of Fatimid Military Architecture
Ifriqiya, Misr and Bilad al-Sham
Lecture by Dr. Stéphane Pradines
25 October 2012, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Aga Khan University
Institute for the Study
of Muslim Civilisations
Room 2.3, Level 2
210 Euston Road
London, UK

http://archnet.org/calendar/item.jsp?calendar_id=83629
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International education conference organised by the Aga Khan University-Institute of Education Development

Education system must adapt or face extinction, say experts
AKU-IED has organi­sed a confer­ence on teachi­ng in Pakist­an.
By Our CorrespondentPublished: November 2, 2012

http://tribune.com.pk/story/459484/educ ... y-experts/

******

‘Professional capital can enhance education quality’

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4 ... on-quality

******
Girls’ education in Afghan schools discussed

http://dawn.com/2012/11/03/girls-educat ... discussed/
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Post by kmaherali »

http://www.payette.com/project/615614-f ... ces-master

Aga Khan University
Faculty of Arts & Sciences Master Plan
Location
Karachi / Pakistan

Completed
2006 Master Plan
2012 Design
2017 Phase 1 Construction


Total Square Footage
2 million SF Phase 1
10 million SF Future (estimated)
560 acres Campus Land Area
1,100 acres Total Land Area



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Aga Khan University Faculty of Arts and Sciences (AKU-FAS) Master Plan establishes a framework for the inception and long-term growth of a new campus on 560 acres of arid scrubland 30 kilometers outside Karachi, Pakistan. AKU-FAS will be the major component of Education City, a regional development of schools and institutes that will eventually cover 8,000 acres.

The proposed campus morphology is based on buildings around courtyards. The Spine and Fingers organizing concept—a sequence of large courtyards intersected by a cross-grain of pedestrian "streets"—provides flexibility to grow into the unknown future. Strategic growth can occur by extending the Spine by one or more major courtyards with flanking building fabric, while tactical growth can occur by extending the building fabric along the cross-grain pedestrian streets, extending the Fingers.

Courtyards and verandas are emphasized as organizers and condensers of human activity. At the core of this project is a commitment to making places for people, a precept that drives the master planning at all scales. The first phase establishes the first two major courtyards—the Convocation Green and the Academic Green—that will be the spaces of memory and identity for the life of the institution.

AKU-FAS will establish a benchmark for responsible development in the region, including social, cultural and economic aspects along with a new model for addressing environmental issues.


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Graduates prove they aren't parrots, but can still fly high

KARACHI: Examinations are usually a frightening ordeal: the long hours of preparation, scribbling furiously in the exam hall and then weeks of wallowing in anxiety while waiting for the results. But this is not the case for students sitting for papers set by the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB).

They enjoy sitting the exams because the board does not stifle their creativity or award them marks only if their scripts are Xerox copies of textbooks. The board has not only helped them better prepare for college but secure admission to them in the first place. According to Aga Khan University’s president, Firoz Rasul, around 87 per cent of the students secure admission into Pakistan’s leading universities. “This year, around 98 per cent of AKU-EB students who sat the NED University of Engineering and Technology’s entrance test cleared it,” he said. “The increase in admissions to international universities was almost three times higher than 2010.”

At the board’s annual award ceremony organised on Wednesday at Aga Khan University’s auditorium, the high achievers were awarded for their brilliant performances. The board’s director, Dr Thomas Christie, recalled that the private examination board was set up in 2003 with an intention to restore people’s confidence in secondary and higher secondary school certificates, previously awarded only by public sector organisations. The board’s first exams were held around six years back and since then, it has come a long way. It is now affiliated with around 150 schools and colleges in 40 cities across the country.

During the ceremony, the examination board awarded 160 distinctions in different subjects to students who sat the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) exams this year in May in around 40 cities across Pakistan – from Karachi to Chitral. Cash prizes were also awarded to the top three SSC and HSSC position holders.

The top SSC students were Syed Wahaj Ahmed from Shahwilayat Public School, followed by Sadaf Batool Rizvi from Al Murtuza School. Sheharyar Farooq and Zahra Hussaini from Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan School and Habib Girls’ Higher Secondary School respectively shared the third position.

The top HSSC students were Anum Zehra Raza from Aga Khan Higher Secondary School who scored 91 per cent. Hafsa Jawed from Habib Girls’ Higher Secondary School secured the second position with 90.8 per cent. Third position went to Adil Shah from Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Gahkuch, Gilgit-Baltistan.

In his keynote address, the managing director of Geo News, Azhar Abbas, asked the students to remember that graduation is only a concept. “Your schooling may be over but in real life, a person graduates every day and this process of learning continues till last breath,” he said. “Those of us who understand this can make a difference.”

An HSSC graduate, Hafsa Jawed, who is now enrolled at Dow University of Health Sciences, told The Express Tribune that the examination board had definitely helped her prepare well for college. “I was tested on how well I understood the concepts rather than how much I could write on an answer script.”

Zahra Hussaini, a student, said that instead of confining them to one prescribed textbook, the examination board encourages them to scour the internet and a plethora of books to come up with their own answers. “When I finally sat the exam and came across conceptual and tricky questions, I really enjoyed doing them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2012.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/466386/grad ... -fly-high/
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News 2012

AKU’s 25th Convocation Ceremony in Pakistan

November 17, 2012

http://www.aku.edu/aboutaku/newsandeven ... istan.aspx
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AKU collaborates with U of C - Improving mental health in Afghanistan

http://www.thegauntlet.ca/story/improvi ... fghanistan

Excerpt:

The U of C will be collaborating with the Aga Khan University, an international university based in Pakistan, as well as with local psychiatrists in Afghanistan.
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HEC Funded Research Project Launched in Chitral

Chitral -- The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, under its Thematic Research Grants—Phase II, has awarded a research grant to the Aga Khan University’s Professional Development Centre in Chitral (AKU-PDCC) to study the “role of civil society institutions in developing appreciations for cultural diversity and promoting pluralism in Chitral district of Khyber—Pakhtunkhwa”. The research project was launched at a seminar organized by AKU-PDCC on Friday, December 7, 2012. A large number of people representing an array of civil society institutions, educational institutions, media, and local leadership attended the seminar.

http://www.chitralnews.com/HECfundedRes ... 202012.htm
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Clinical Laboratories, AKUH,K Opens its 200th Lab Specimen Collection Unit.

I am happy to announce that today, on the Chancellor’s 76th birthday the Clinical Laboratories opened its 200th laboratory specimen collection Unit, at Rawalpindi. The first laboratory specimen collection unit was started at Hilal-e-Ahmer in Clifton in 1987, the 100th lab station was commissioned 18 years later at Safoora Goth (Karachi) and, the next 100 stations were added in seven years.

The three tier lab system comprises the tertiary lab at Stadium Road, 12 Outreach Laboratories in eight cities of Pakistan and the 200 lab stations are located in 88 cities of Pakistan. The fourth tier of the lab system will be Regional Labs and, the first Regional Lab will be commissioned in Lahore in 2013. The Clinical Laboratories will generate 7.7 million tests and serve approximately 2.3 million patients in 2012, at the tertiary hospital and Outreach Services. The Department of Pathology and Microbiology staffed by 38 Pathologists, oversee the quality outcomes of the Clinical Laboratories. Patient Welfare is offered in 40 lab stations across Pakistan. The Clinical Laboratories makes a powerful contribution to the University's sustainability.

I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the University leadership, Pathology and Microbiology Faculty, Lab Staff and all Support Services, in developing a laboratory system in Pakistan, which is reputed for providing world class test results.

Sohail Ally Baloch

Sr. Administrator,

Clinical Laboratories
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AKU holds hospital ethics symposium
By: Our Staff Reporter | December 16, 2012 . 0

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news- ... -symposium

KARACHI - Traditional ethics committees in healthcare organisations are reactive, addressing only the most visible ethical concerns.

They fail to highlight deeper organisational factors that influence how a healthcare organisation functions, instead focusing on issues related primarily to clinical ethics, explained Dr Robyna Khan, Assistant Professor, AKU. She was speaking in her capacity as Chair, Sixth Hospital Ethics Committee Symposium held at Aga Khan University.

Additionally, ethics committees are not well connected with other functions of the organisation which results in employees unable to handle ethical issues effectively. Dr Melissa Bottrell of the National Centre for Ethics in Healthcare in the United States identified the major limitations of traditional ethics committee models and offered an Integrated Ethics model as a paradigm shift that remedies most of these defects.

Professor Murad Khan, Chair, Department of Psychiatry, AKU described various components of organisational ethics. “As part of an organisational approach to ethics, committees should address matters such as conflict of interest issues, resource allocation, appointments and promotions as well as support other ethical activities in their institution.”

The Symposium provided an opportunity to review challenges, examine ethical issues in organisations, and identify the role of leaders, faculty, administration and staff in formulating and implementing solutions. Summarising the discussions Professor Camer Vellani, reviewed the impact of organisational culture, leadership, and ethics committees as drivers of success in an integrated ethics approach.

Other notable speakers at the Symposium included Dr Abdul Bari Khan, CEO, Indus Hospital, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press, Professor Arif Zaman, former Dean, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Dr Nida Bashir, Consultant Surgeon, Patel Hospital.
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Call to use latest technologies to boost teachers’ capacity

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) in collaboration with the Agha Khan University Institute for Education Development (AKU-IED) conducted 2nd Educational Dialogue titled ‘Governance for Quality Teachers’ to analyse developments in the field of education and to encourage open communication and constructive debate among stakeholders.

According to SEF, over 120 people, which included major stakeholders belonging to the field of academics, practitioners working in the field of education and representatives from the government and media personnel, attended the event.

Education experts and members of academia gathered to discuss measuresm which could be promoted in the field of education and to collectively arrive at some core recommendations and observations (specifically in regards to teachers) that can be forwarded to the relevant policy makers as a roadmap. Solutions were proposed that could be carried forward to the policy level for broader impact to aid the province of Sindh in particular and other provinces in general.

Speaking on the occasion, Taj Haider, policy planner and founding member Pakistan People’s Party, said that a law should be passed which makes 85 percent attendance for teachers mandatory to help resolve the issue of low attendance by the teachers. He stated that head teachers should lead from the front and by doing so they could resolve a lot of issues and motivate others to perform better.

Dr Zubair Shaikh, Executive Director Sindh Teacher Education Development Project (STEDA), said that it was essential that the professional capacity for teachers be developed in the country. He said that latest methodologies and technologies should be used to enhance teacher capacity and that a form of teacher licensing would be introduced by STEDA in the near future to regulate and maintain the quality of teachers.

Asghar Soomro, Advisor Communication and Outreach Social Policy and Development Centre, said there has been has been a constant problem with ghost employees in Pakistan, teachers drawing salaries without doing the job, which now gradually was being rectified with the use of technology.

Dr Jan-e-Alam Khaki said that he was worried about the state of education in the country and there was a root problem about how we look at education. He said that education could be provided without passion and commended Prof Anita Ghulam Ali, MD Sindh Education Foundation, on her never ending passion for the cause of education through the years.

Karamat Ali, Executive Director Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), said that it was essential that students be educated in proper schools by trained teachers instead of being taught at madrassas. He said that in the past there was a commitment to education that we have sadly lost somewhere along the way.

Karamat said: “Article 25 A of the 18th amendment which calls for free education of all children is a great step in the right direction and it is imperative that it should be implemented by the government.”

Baela Raza, Founder Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), said that it was important that the parents and the civil society on the whole should have higher involvement in the children’s education, which would undoubtedly help improve the current situation. She said there was also an issue of politicisation in the field of education which was a cause of grave concern and needs to be resolved.
A question session answer was held between the panel of experts and the attendees at the end of the session.

Home | Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 013_pg12_3
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News 2012

​153 Doctors Receive Certificates at AKU’s 17th PGME Convocation

December 19, 2012

​The 17th Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) graduation ceremony was held at Aga Khan University (AKU) on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. A total of 66 interns, 69 residents and 18 fellows were awarded certificates for completing their postgraduate medical training.

PGME at AKU aims at producing high quality specialists as clinicians, researchers and teachers equipped with academic leadership qualities. The residency and fellowship programmes offered in 60 distinct specialties are structured to provide rigorous training to doctors under the supervision of highly qualified and dedicated faculty members.

So far 2,198 doctors have graduated from AKU’s various PGME programmes and have maintained a 100 per cent pass record at FCPS, MRCP, MRCOG, MRCGP, FRCS, MRCS and other membership examinations. Presently, 60 per cent of them are practicing within Pakistan while over 25 per cent of AKU’s clinical faculty comprises of its own PGME graduates.

The list of exceptional specialists produced by the PGME programme at AKU is extensive. Several names that stand out for their contribution to health care in Pakistan include Dr Farhat Abbas, Dean, AKU Medical College. He is also the first AKU PGME graduate to be awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan. Dr Abbas was also named a fellow of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, which elects scientists of highest merit who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Dr Asim Khan and Dr Muneer Amanullah, both alumni of AKU’s PGME, have developed special surgical treatments for congenital cardiac surgery in Pakistan. Dr Khalid S. Khan, Professor of Women's Health and Clinical Epidemiology at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, who is also an alumnus was the chief guest at the 17th PGME graduation ceremony. The day’s activities included a formal academic procession, addresses by the dean of the Medical College and the chief guest, valedictory speeches by a graduating intern and a graduating resident along with distribution of certificates and awards.



Media contact:

Fabeha Pervez, Media Executive, Department of Public Affairs, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, on +92 21 3486 2925 or fabeha.pervez@aku.edu

http://www.aku.edu/aboutaku/newsandeven ... ation.aspx
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AKU consulted for expert input on research about saving newborns...

Excerpt:

ANISA was designed by a large international team and is led by pre-eminent scientists in Bangladesh. Notably, the Child Health Research Foundation, based in Dhaka Shishu (Children’s) Hospital, controls the purse-strings, and has contracted leading institutions and scientists from the CDC, the World Health Organization, Aga Khan University, and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, for expert input.

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com ... e-borders/
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Aga Khan University’s (AKU) Division of Women and Child Health with the support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organizes a series of seminars on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) and nutrition.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6 ... l-priority
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AKU to launch CIME


KARACHI: The Aga Khan University on Tuesday announced to launch Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) with state-of-the-art resources for national and regional medical education. The foundation ceremony was celebrated at the building’s site on AKU’s Stadium Road campus.

The new centre will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and human patient simulation tools, providing a safe, risk-free environment where medical, nursing and allied health students as well as health care professionals will be able to master everything from routine procedures to complex new techniques before they move on to real patients.
“CIME will provide a modern, stimulating atmosphere equal to the excellence of our students and their extraordinary potential” said Dr Farhat Abbas, Dean of the Medical College.

CIME’s global reach will help to transform undergraduate, post graduate and continuing medical education programmes within Pakistan to as far away as Central Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East. Covering 80,000 square feet of new space, CIME will be located adjacent to the Rufayda Al Aslamiya Building and will be connected to the existing School of Nursing and Midwifery Skills Lab. Construction is expected to take two years allowing the building to welcome its ?rst occupants in 2015. The building will cost US$15 million and is entirely funded by local and foreign philanthropists willing to invest in higher education. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 013_pg12_6
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Aga Khan to construct varsity for East Africa


Kampala

The Aga Khan Development Network has announced plans to embark on constructing a university with branches across East Africa.

Mr Firoz Rasul, the president of the Aga Khan University of East Africa, said the institution will train local human resource and open centres of excellence in each member state so that they stop sending their students to abroad.

Speaking at a cocktail on Monday, Mr Rasul said the university will have its main campus at Arusha, Tanzania while other member states will have regional centres of excellence. “We shall have the Nairobi School for Media Studies training editors and journalists because there is a general feeling that we need to start training better journalists.

We already have a nursing school in Uganda and we are looking for more land for expansion,” he said. He added: “The Arusha campus will specialise in law, management, tourism and the school of government and public policy. We are opening a teaching hospital in Nairobi.”

Mr Rasul also said the EAC member states have international obligations, but unfortunately without local lawyers to negotiate on their behalf.

Mr Joseph Mwizerwa, the principal, of Aga Khan University, said the institution will be built and administered within East Africa unlike the mother university in Pakistan. “The new understanding is to ensure that programmes are headquartered in East Africa, run by East Africans for the region,” Mr Mwizerwa said.

sotage@ug.nationmedia.com

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
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Experts to discuss environmental degradation, health impacts

KARACHI - The Aga Khan University (AKU) will organise a dissemination seminar on environmental degradation and its contribution to human health on Tuesday.
Speakers would talk about environment related issues, including hospital waste management, lead poisoning in Pakistan, health burden of arsenic in underground water and its mitigation efforts along river Indus in Sind, environmental legislation and policies.
The awareness event on environmental degradation and health impacts would also be addressed by University of Alabama at Birmingham (United Kingdom) professor Dr Nalini Sathiakumar. He would talk on the topic titled “Journey in South Asia-Lead Poisoning in Pakistan: The Silent Epidemic”.
AKU Vice-Chairman and Professor Dr Muhammad Masood Kadir would talk on the issue of “Prenatal lead exposure in Pakistan: A prelude to intervention”.
Meanwhile, AKU Associate Professor Dr Zafar Fatmi would talk on the issue of arsenic in underground water and its mitigation efforts along river Indus in Sind.
Sind Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Waqar Hussain Phulpoto would talk on another important issue titled “Hospital Waste Management”.
EPA’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert Imran Sabir would discuss the topic “Environmental Legislation and Policies - IEE and EIA”.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/02 ... h-impacts/
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Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea
Published April 12, 2013
Executive summary
The Lancet Series on Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, led by Aga Khan University, Pakistan, provides evidence for integrated control efforts for childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea. The first paper assesses the global burden of these two illnesses, comparing and contrasting them, and includes new estimates of severe disease and updated mortality estimates for 2011. Findings from the second paper show that a set of highly cost-effective interventions can prevent most diarrhoea deaths and nearly two thirds of pneumonia deaths by 2025, if delivered at scale. Furthermore, the paper estimates what the cost of scale up will be. The third paper presents the results of consultations with several hundred frontline workers in high-burden countries and explores the barriers and enablers they face in dealing with these two diseases and potential ways forward. The final paper represents a call to action and discusses the global and country-level remedies needed to eliminate preventable deaths from these illnesses by 2025. Comments

http://www.thelancet.com/series/childho ... -diarrhoea
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Aga Khan University Opens
Modern Health Centre In Arusha

the University’s future plans to establish a
principle campus in Arusha boosting the city’s
vision of being the regional hub for East Africa


Coastweek-- Aga Khan University (AKU) has officially opened the Aga Khan Health Centre in Arusha. Located on Seth Benjamin Street, within the central business district, the Health Centre is a modern facility that offers high quality health care services.

These include physician consultations, a wide range of diagnostic services including a CT scanner, ultra sound, a modern laboratory and pharmacy.

This Centre was established last year in June 2012 as a first step to AKU’s major presence in Arusha and in Tanzania.

Honorable Stanslaus Mageso Mulongo the Regional Commissioner in Arusha was Chief Guest at the opening ceremony that was presided over by Mr Firoz Rasul President of AKU.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, members of the East African secretariat, corporates, donors, prominent citizens and members of staff.

Honourable Mulongo noted that the Aga Khan Health Clinic in Arusha is a much needed service and a bench mark for high quality health care in the region.

He further noted that AKU is planning to establish a hospital in its principal campus site that will provide quality service for specialised and critical care at internationals standards.

The hospital will be a welcome facility that will enable the residents of Arusha and beyond access world class care, a much needed service in the region.

The Regional Commissioner commended His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of the Aga Khan University for his immense contribution to the development of education, healthcare, culture, infrastructure development, economic growth, and tourism not only in Arusha but in Tanzania, East Africa and beyond.

He applauded the University’s future plans to establish a principle campus in Arusha boosting the city’s vision of being the regional hub for East Africa.

He concluded by noting that the substantial investment by Aga Khan University in Arusha will create new jobs, economic activity and educational opportunities and the Government is open to new investment to help develop the Arusha Region.

In his welcome remarks Mr. Firoz Rasul said that the Arusha campus will be a new community with a vibrant educational center that will nurture the region’s future leadership.

The project will involve the development of academic and research facilities; student residences and amenities; a library; student centre and auditorium; sports facilities; a new hospital, a school as well as housing and amenities for faculty and staff.

The campus will house the Faculty of Arts and Sciences that will offer undergraduate and graduate studies in a merit-based and interdisciplinary educational programme tailored to the opportunities and challenges of contemporary East Africa.

Graduate professional schools in Law; Media and Communications; Tourism and Leisure; Management; Government and Public Policy; Architecture and Human Settlement; and Economic Growth and Development will also be established.

Currently the Aga Khan University is working with the Regional and District Commissioners on a Regional Plan to improve the infrastructure of the Arusha Region, including roads, water management, community facilities, and public amenities.

AKU is also cooperating with Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology to develop the Arusha region as a higher education hub for East Africa.

Emphasizing on AKU’s long term commitment in the region, Mr. Rasul said that the University plans to invest over USD 1 billion towards establishing its campuses throughout the region adding more than 10,000 new jobs to the current 2000 already working for the Aga Khan University in East Africa.

He concluded by thanking the donors, corporate, non-governmental organisations, partners and the government of Tanzania for their continued support towards making AKUs vision a reality.

AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY - Founded by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1983, the University’s objective is “to be on the frontiers of scientific and humanistic knowledge” while inspiring students to be independent learners and researchers imbued with a spirit of service and respect for others.

In the 26 years since its founding, Aga Khan University’s major focus has been in the fields of health and education.

For the decades ahead the University plans to step beyond success in these areas and become a more diversified university, both geographically and scholastically.

The University currently has programmes in eight countries spread over three continents.

In East Africa, the University offers Advanced Nursing Studies programmes in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; and Postgraduate Medical Education in Kenya and Tanzania.

These programmes are supported by a 250-bed teaching hospital, the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.

The Institute for Educational Development, East Africa offers Master of Education degrees and certificate courses out of Dar es Salaam.

A Faculty of Health Sciences and a Graduate School of Media and Communication have been established in Nairobi whilst the Faculty of Arts and Sciences will be established in Arusha as well as in Karachi.

The University is also part of the Aga Khan Development Network, with links to institutions that can apply the University’s creative solutions in the field.

the network is a group of development agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities.

http://www.coastweek.com/3619_27.htm

.

Remember: you read it first at coastweek.com !
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Post by kmaherali »

KARACHI: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has launched the first Anticoagulation Therapy Clinic in Pakistan.

Clinic will ensure effective management of patients on blood thinning medications. “Every day we have new patients with heart and blood diseases, many need to be placed on drugs that thin the blood,” said Dr Bushra Moiz, an associate professor of haematolgy.

At the patient awareness session held on Wednesday, she said the main objective was to provide the patient education and make timely interventions.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2013.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/556155/impr ... ew-clinic/

http://www.aku.edu/aboutaku/newsandeven ... linic.aspx

*********

Aga Khan medics devise heart analysis technique

Friday, May 31, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY HENRY KIBIRA
DOCTORS at the Aga Khan University Hospital have devised a new technique for imaging the inside of blocked heart arteries.

If fully rolled out, the latest initiative is expected to save patients with artery disorders as they will not have to undergo a rigorous surgical operation.

Mzee Ngunga, one of the doctors in charge said through a procedure known as Intravascular Ultrasound, the medics use a special tool which allows them to see the inside of the heart artery and take pictures which are analysed.

“This helps to determine the amount of blood clot in the vessel and the degree of narrowing. It also guides the doctor to establish the most appropriate method to treat the diseased vessel,” Ngunga said.

He said patients suffering from the condition will now take a shorter time to recover and get discharged from hospital. Patients whose arteries narrow tend to have blood clots, a situation that leads to heart attacks and eventual death if not urgently treated.

“After the procedure the patient can walk around in about an hour without any discomfort in contrast to surgery where the patient is confined to the intensive care unit for up to one week,” Ngunga said.

“The advancement comes at the most opportune time for doctors because they will use this procedure to improve the treatment of patients with heart attacks."

Ngunga said the initiative will enable them achieve good results while undertaking complex procedures which involve putting stents (mesh tubes) in the arteries. In this process, accuracy is paramount. “The traditional approach to the treatment of blocked and narrowed heart arteries is the use of bypass surgery,” he said.

“This new technique is a great method to treat blocked or narrowed arteries but it cannot be performed immediately and completed in a few minutes as needed for patients with heart attacks.” The number of patients suffering from coronary artery disease is fast rising.

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article- ... -technique
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Pioneering Operation To Treat High Blood Pressure

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http://www.coastweek.com/3630-news-01.htm

Monday, 5 August 2013

Medical Breakthrough: Pioneering Operation
To Treat High Blood Pressure

Coastweek -- Heart specialists at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi have performed first key-hole operation to treat hypertension in the region.

Hypertension (more commonly known as ‘high blood pressure’) is the most important preventable risk factor for premature death worldwide.

The new operation which may have the potential to cure hypertension, or high blood pressure, was introduced by doctors at the Heart and Cancer Centre (HCC) of the Aga Khan University Hospital.

For the first time in Kenya, the doctors used Renal Denervation Therapy on a patient with treatment-resistant hypertension.

Dr. Mohamed Jeilan, co-Director of Cardiac Services at the HCC, and an Interventional Cardiologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital, led the team of specialists who performed the ground-breaking operation.

“Hypertension is an important disease and until recently, could only be managed by taking regular medication.

“At the moment, medication is taken for life because the prospect of a definitive cure has been missing.

“It is now known that high blood pressure can be caused by faulty signals transmitted by hyperactive renal nerves between the brain and the kidneys.




Coastweek -- Dr. Mohamed Jeilan, co-Director of Cardiac Services at the HCC, and an Interventional Cardiologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital, led the team of specialists who performed the ground-breaking operation.

“Renal Denervation Therapy is a treatment designed to silence these nerves and in so doing prevent high blood pressure.

“The treatment involves just one puncture incision on the right side of the groin.

“A thin and flexible tube called a catheter is introduced into the blood vessels which supply the kidneys.

“A small wire is passed into the blood vessel and carries enough energy to ‘freeze’ the nerves around the vessel.

“It takes about forty minutes to complete the treatment (twenty minutes for each kidney) and the patient is left with just one tiny scar.

“Research results published in The Lancet have shown that patients who had the procedure saw their blood pressure drop by around 20 per cent with the blood pressure seeming to fall continuously even after two years.

“Renal denervation therapy may be among the most important developments in the care of heart patients in the last fifty years.”

Patients who have the new operation will not necessarily stop all their blood pressure medication, but should be able to take fewer tablets, reducing potential side-effects.

At this stage, the operation will be offered only to patients whose blood pressure is difficult to control although research is being carried out worldwide to explore the effects of this treatment on people with less severe hypertension.

Talking about hypertension Dr. Jeilan added:

“High blood pressure affects as many as thirty percent of East African adults.

“In most cases patients do not know that they have the condition; it is usually ‘silent’ and may go unnoticed.

In people with hypertension, the heart needs to work harder to send the blood around the body, and this eventually makes the heart weaker.

The increased pressure also damages the walls of the blood vessels, and this can result in a haemorrhage or blockage, causing a stroke or heart attack.

Having high blood pressure can double your chance of suffering from a heart attack or stroke and also put you at risk of kidney disease and visual impairment.

The chances of having high blood pressure increase with drinking excessive alcohol, or caffeine based drinks such as coffee and tea, eating a lot of salt, not eating enough fruit and vegetables, being overweight, not exercising regularly, smoking, having a family member with high blood pressure, or being of African descent.”

When first diagnosed, doctors will usually advise patients to adopt lifestyle changes such as cutting back on alcohol and salt.

If this is not effective, medication is usually needed for life.

Medications however do carry potential side-effects, including headaches, tiredness, cough, dizziness and impotence, which many patients struggle with. Medication is unable to control five to ten per cent of people with high blood pressure.

Up until now, these patients have had no alternatives and have had to live with the risk of an imminent heart attack or stroke.
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AKUH granted JCI accreditation

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Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)-Nairobi has been granted the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, *which is the highest
international hospital accreditation


Aga Khan University Hospital wins international accreditation

BY GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY CORRESPONDENT (Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Bara)
22nd September 2013

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY

Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)-Nairobi has been granted the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, which is the highest international hospital accreditation.

AKUH is the first hospital in East Africa and one of six hospitals in the entire continent of Africa to receive this coveted accreditation. "It is a proud moment for Aga Khan University Hospital's staff and all physicians who practice at AKUH and a significant achievement in the region where patients no longer have to travel abroad to receive world-class care now available at AKUH" a statement from Nairobi sent to The Guardian On Sunday on Friday read in part.

The JCI accreditation, administered out of Chicago, USA, is an external validation that AKUH is providing the highest quality of patient care and safety in line with international peer hospitals. "It is a testimony of our commitment to patient safety and highest quality as measured by international standards," the statement added.

JCI's extensive audit measures 1,218 quality elements, which cover key
patient care factors such as infection control, standards of physician practice, medication management, safety of care, qualifications andcompetencies of staff and physicians, patient education and multidisciplinary management of patients.

The standards also cover safety and proper maintenance of the facility, all
equipment, and protocols for emergency procedures, amongst several others.

AKUH was the first hospital in the region to achieve ISO 9001:2000 certification, which is now a common practice in most hospitals in Kenya. "AKUH is pleased to lead the effort for other hospitals to strive to achieve JCI accreditation, which will raise the quality standards of patient care in Kenya and across East Africa" the statement added. Established in 1958 Aga Khan University Hospital is a private, not-for- profit teaching and referral institution that provides secondary and tertiary level health care services.

In 2011 the hospital opened the state-of-the-art Heart and Cancer Centre to offer comprehensive quality cardiac and cancer care with the most advanced technology and the latest therapeutic and rehabilitation services delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experts.

The hospital's Patient Welfare Programme provides financial assistance to qualifying patients who are not able to afford such world class care.
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tribune.com.pk/story/648373/class-of-1988-gifts-500000-to-their-alma-mater/

Class of 1988 gifts $500,000 to their alma mater

By Noman Ahmed
Published: December 21, 2013

KARACHI:

The first batch of any institution is usually the most loyal to its alma mater’s growth, as proved by the inaugural class of the Aga Khan University’s (AKU) Medical College which contributed US$500,000 for an endowment fund to support education programmes and research at the institute.

Dr Zubia Mumtaz of the Class of 1988 presented this gift to AKU president Firoz Rasul at the 25th anniversary reunion organised at the campus on Friday.

25-year journey

The year 1983 was a very different time in the arena of medical education. “One could only go to a public medical colleges or the Army Medical College,” recalled Dr Saad Shafqat, a neurologist and writer.

In the public sector, the situation was very bad because the country was struggling during the military rule of General Ziaul Haq. Public institutions were failing to finish classes on time, leading to extend a five-year medical degree to seven or even eight years.

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89 ... a95269.jpg

In these circumstances, when an advertisement came out for a new medical college in the private sector, medical students and their parents were ecstatic. While around 4,000 students applied in 1983, only 50 were selected for the inaugural batch. “Since the campus would take another two years to be constructed, we had to take classes at the second floor of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan in Defence Housing Authority.”

Dr Shafqat also found his life partner at the university, Dr Anita Zaidi, who is a professor and chairperson at the AKU’s department of paediatrics and child health.

At the time of medical college’s inception, Dr Zaidi had already enrolled for about six months at the Dow Medical College, but like most of the other 49 students, she left her college for the fledgling institution.

Life after AKU

Dr Rubina Sial, a psychiatrist currently based in Georgia, took a five-year hiatus after graduating as she moved to the United States but recalled that AKU’s credentials spoke volumes of her ability even after the break. “Imagine doing nothing for five years but still being given the opportunity to work based on the name of your merely 10-year-old institution,” said Sial.

“We felt that this was a special group of people,” recalled Shams Kassim-Lakha, the founding president of the university while talking to The Express Tribune. “They were like the first child to us — you always give more attention to your first child. The faculty was very anxious to devise the best possible standards while engaging with them.”

The first batch graduated in 1988 and most of them went all across the world for postgraduate training programmes, followed by getting associated with medical practice.

In this way, after a span of 25 years, explained Dr Shafqat, the class had almost scattered and most of the graduates were not even in touch with each other. “Perhaps, it was this 25-year milestone which gave us this feeling that maybe we should now start doing something for the university which gave us so much,” he added.

Around a year back, efforts were put together to give a gift to the alma mater. Those who had lost touch were eventually tracked down and an e-mail group was set up.

The premier batch’s urge to give back eventually ballooned up to half-a-million dollars with contributions from more than 80 per cent of its members, earmarked for education and research initiatives. “The AKU’s medical students, residents, fellows and graduate students, who wish to conduct a research study or other academic symposiums, can apply to this fund,” explained Dr Shafqat, adding that the endowment will also provide an opportunity for the non-AKU physicians and other allied health professionals practising in Pakistan to attend the university-sponsored non-degree clinical education and training programmes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2013
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Post by Admin »

brecorder.com/general-news/172/1267032/

AKU MBBS class of '88 pledges $500,000 as endowment fund

December 24, 2013
RECORDER REPORT

The first graduating class of the Aga Khan University's Medical College, the Class of 1988, has contributed $500,000 for an endowment fund to support education programmes and research at the University in Pakistan. The endowment will support the activities of medical students, residents, fellows and graduate students at the University, as well as provide an opportunity for non-AKU physicians and other allied health professionals practising in Pakistan to attend AKU-sponsored non-degree clinical education and training programmes.

It will also allow AKU to invest in a variety of research projects. The generous gift was announced at the class reunion on December 20, 2013. With contributions from more than 80 percent of its members, the Class of '88 gift has surpassed the gift of any other class. It is a testimony of their support of the University's bold vision for the future, to expand into the liberal arts and create seven new graduate schools across two continents.

"The Class of 1988 has set the bar higher than ever before", said Dr Saad Shafqat, Professor of Neurology at AKU and an alumnus from the inaugural class. He appreciated the efforts of doctors Tauqir Goraya, Anita Zaidi and Shahid Shafi who served on the Executive Committee, for motivating their colleagues to contribute to the gift. AKU President Firoz Rasul thanked the Class for their gift, seeing this as an opportunity for alumni to renew their commitment to the University's future. Graduates of 1988 from within and outside Pakistan, attended the ceremony, along with the Faculty of Health Sciences staff.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2013
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Aga Khan University Hospital Opens State Of Art Dental Clini

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http://www.coastweek.com/3652-culture-08.htm

Coastweek-Dec 29, 2013

Aga Khan University Hospital Opens State Of Art Dental Clinic

Coastweek-- Aga Khan University Hospital has opened a state of the art dental clinic which is located on the 3rd floor of the Park Place Building at the junction of second Parklands Avenue and Limuru Road overlooking City Park forest.

The facility consists of six dental consultation rooms, a large reception area furnished with a comfortable waiting area with Wi-Fi and a big screen TV that shows educational material on dental health. It is open from 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The new outlet at Park Place is an addition to the other dental clinic at Aga Khan University Hospital which has four chairs and is open six times a week.

Dr. Linus Ndegwa, a Dental Surgeon at Aga Khan University Hospital, said, “We have six modern dental chairs at this clinic which are computerized and connected to digital x-ray machines and individualized screens.

“This enables dentists to take x-rays, plan treatment and take pictures of the patients and show patients the outline and condition of the teeth during treatment sessions on the screen thus enabling a paperless environment.

“We also have a surgical room where minor operations are carried out. These procedures are all done under local anaesthesia by highly qualified dentists.”

“Among the services being offered in our new Park Place dental clinic are comprehensive consultations, dentures, tooth colored fillings, root canal, crowns and bridges, veneers and teeth whitening.

“Our dentists also give advice on oral hygiene and diet. This facility is open to both adults and children.”

“Plans are underway to open a dental laboratory at this clinic which will be used to make dentures, crowns, bridges and braces.

“Initially these services will be accessed by the Aga Khan University Hospital outlets which have dental clinics. Afterwards, we shall provide services for private dental clinics which require these devices.” A separate x-ray room has already been established and will soon have the latest top of the range 3D x-ray machine.

“This provides dentists with a more complete view of the facial anatomy from almost every angle and perspective.

"It also gives the most detailed information, accurate diagnosis and precision for teeth treatment.”
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thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-240480-AKU-to-invest-$500-million-in-Education-City-project

AKU to invest $500 million in Education City project

our correspondent
Thursday, March 27, 2014
From Print Edition

Karachi

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Wednesday welcomed the keen interest and investment of $500 million by the Aga Khan University management in the Education City project to be established in Karachi in due course of time.

He said the project would prove to be one of the best educational facilities in the country and would attract educational organisations of international standard to invest and benefit the students and educational fraternity in Pakistan.

The chief minister was talking to President Aga Khan University Firoz Rasul, who called on him along with his delegation at the CM House to discuss the modalities of the project.

He said efforts were being made to complete the project within the tenure of this PPP-led government in Sindh. He asked the university management to start working on their part and take the lead in the implementation of the project. He said once the Aga Khan University started work, the other stakeholders would follow suit.

Lauding the services being rendered by the Aga Khan Foundation in the fields of health and education in Sindh, the chief minister pledged full government support for the execution of the project. He further said that the government was taking keen interest in providing quality education and in this regard the Education City project was conceived and would be implemented in due course of time.

He said land had been allotted for the project and its master plan had also been completed, which would be notified very soon. “This project will not only cater to the needs of local students for qualitative education but will also attract the students from other countries and will ultimately convert the city into international hub of education facility.”

The project is expected to generate income and employment opportunities for the people of Sindh.

President Aga Khan University Firoz Rasul told the CM that the master plan on the part of their organisation had been completed and they had planned to invest $500 million in the Education City project and $150 million in its Stadium Road campus.


He said that his management had also agreed to help the communities neighbouring Education City in providing quality education, adding that the Aga Khan University management was ready to promote social structure in Sindh for the betterment of the people of the province.
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AFD pledges $16m loan for expansion at Aga Khan Varsity

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pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=240258

Tuesday, April 22, 2014, Jamadi-ul-Sani 21, 1435 AH

AFD pledges $16m loan for expansion at Aga Khan Varsity

Observer Report

Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - Karachi—Agence Française de Développement, the French finance institution for development, will be loaning US $16 million to the Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College Foundation to support its expansion of infrastructure facilities on the Stadium Road Campus in Karachi.

A Memorandum of Understanding confirming the pledge was signed by Mr Denis Cassat, Country Head AFD, and Mr Al-Karim Haji, Director General and Chief Financial Officer, AKU, on April 21, 2014. Ambassador Philippe Thiébaud and Mr Firoz Rasul, President, AKU presided over the ceremony.

This investment will refinance and fund infrastructure projects. Infrastructure financing include the induction of a third 1.75MW gas generator to reduce dependency on erratic city power and a 16MW grid station – to be completed this year – that will become the primary source of electricity for the University and its teaching hospital. There are also plans to recover waste heat from the gas generators and to increase the efficiency of the existing plant from 37 per cent to more than 75 per cent.

As part of its continued efforts to ensure the safe disposal of infectious waste, the University Hospital has installed a sophisticated incinerator that minimizes exposure to waste while meeting European Union clean air emission standards; by-product heat from the incinerator is used to generate almost 50 per cent of the hot water requirements for the campus. To meet the needs of the ambitious plans to expand health care services, a second incinerator is planned for 2015. Proceeds from the refinancing will be used to fund a new ambulatory care building, neonatal, medical and paediatric intensive care units, a centre for innovation in medical education, a centre for early childhood development, a new private wing, and a new office building. This loan is part of AKU’s US $150 million investment in expanding academic programmes and improving access to quality health care in Pakistan, a visible statement of commitment to the country.

About Agence Française de Développement

AFD is the French international development agency providing development financing. AFD finances sustainable development projects carried by government local authorities, public companies, and the private and associative sectors on five continents with primacy given to Africa which receives two-thirds of AFD commitments—and in overseas France.The Group boasts a network of 70 in-country field offices and bureaus, including nine offices in France’s overseas provinces and one in Brussels. Among the Group’s 1,742 employees, 711 work in the field offices.
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