Aga Khan University set to expand

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kmaherali
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Post by kmaherali »

World No Tobacco Day

May 28, 2009

Aga Khan University's Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine invites you to celebrate the World No Tobacco Day on Thursday, May 28, 2008.

Time and Venue
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
AKU Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan

Call for Poster Competition
The organising committee also invites posters on the theme Picture Warning on Cigarette Packs. The posters should be submitted latest by May 26, 2009 at Nazarali Walji Building, 2 nd Floor, Pulmonary Clinic from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Winner of the poster competition will receive an attractive prize and a certificate.

Guidelines for Poster Design

Poster size: 22 X 27 inches
Poster should be readable from a distance of 5 feet
Poster should colourful and attractive
Poster should carry a message relevant to the theme
Author(s) name and their unit/institution should be mentioned at the back of the poster
For further information, please contact:
Ms Humaira Waheed
Out Patient Department of Nursing Services
Aga Khan University Hospital, Karach
Stadium Road, P. O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Tel: 92 21 486 5706 or 493 0051 Ext 5706
http://www.aku.edu/events/notobacco-may28-2009.shtml
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Health and Science news from Aga Khan University
May 20, 2009
Posted by ismailimail in Aga Khan University, Asia, Health, Pakistan.
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New perinatal epidemiology study findings reported from Aga Khan University
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcxth47_04kzgbhb

Research on life sciences in children detailed by scientists at Aga Khan University, Department of Community Health Sciences
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcxth47_1c733v9fx

Cooperation between exam boards, Education department needed, workshop at Aga Khan University Examination Board
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcxth47_2gctbhscs

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/0 ... niversity/
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Aga Khan University Telehealth Training Course begins on Monday May 25, 2009
Posted by ismailimail in Aga Khan University, Asia, Pakistan.
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23 May 2009 Daily The Pak Banker

KARACHI`: Department of Continuing Professional Education, Aga Khan University plans to organize a short training course on Telehealth in the Developing World from May 25 to May 30.

According to an announcement the six day course will be held at the Department of Community Health Sciences, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Six makeshift schools are in Jalozai camp alone, three each for boys and girls which have been established to help bring some sense of normality to the lives of traumatised children.

“So far a total of 3,655 students have been enrolled in these schools”, an official of Unicef said.


“The number of male students at these schools is 2,795, with only 865 female students as many parents still fear that Taliban can target them,” he said, on condition of anonymity.

Similarly, around one thousand students have been put in the four schools set up by Unicef, Muslim Hands International, LAAS and Philonthrop at the IDPs camp in Sheikh Yaseen Town, Mardan. Hundreds of students are also attending schools set up in Swabi camp.

They are provided free of cost books, bags and stationary at these temporary institutions. The books are according to the syllabus being taught in the schools of NWFP province.

Dozens of local teachers and student volunteers tutor these students, while services of educated people from the IDPs are also being hired for the purpose.

Although, we are away from our homes and waiting anxiously for peace to return in our area, yet the life here is not all that gloomy because we have started going to schools, said Jahangeer Khan 16, from Saidu Sharif, Swat.

There are around 77,000 children of school age within the camps, while a total of 108,000 are living with host communities in different parts of the country, according to the UN.

Though, the steps taken for imparting education to these kids are commendable, yet there is much more to be done. The whole nation also owe the responsibility to cure nostalgia, the majority is suffering.

Sooner or later they will go back to their homes. What is needed, is to ensure congenial atmosphere to quench their thirst for knowledge in an amicable way

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/0 ... on-monday/
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KARACHI: Pakistan should implement already existing anti-tobacco laws to protect people from the tobacco epidemic, especially as the country has signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control — requiring signatories to post ‘health warnings describing the harmful effects of tobacco use’ on cigarette packets and recommending that pictures form part of the warnings.

This is what experts recommended at a seminar organised by Aga Khan University (AKU) in collaboration with the Pakistan Chest Society, the National Alliance for Tobacco Control and Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) to commemorate World No Tobacco Day and its 2009 theme ‘Tobacco Health Warnings,’ APP reports.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/daw ... ar-szh--03
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Al-Ba'ath University and Agha Khan University of Pakistan Discuss Developing Curricula of Faculty of Nursing

Local News /
Jun 03, 2009 - 03:35 PM
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Homs, (SANA)- Rector of al-Ba'ath University Amer Fakhoury and a delegation from Agha Khan University of Pakistan discussed Wednesday means of developing curricula of Faculty of Nursing at al-Ba'ath University.

Fakhoury pointed out to the significance of fruitful scientific cooperation between both universities particularly with the newly-established Faculty of Nursing 2007-2008 which forms an important edifice at the University that contributes to supporting the scientific medical march.

Haifa Said /Idelbi

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Aga Khan University wins the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship
April 16, 2009
Posted by ismailimail in Aga Khan University, Asia, Pakistan.
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The Talloires Network and the MacJannet Foundation are pleased to announce the winners of the first annual MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship. After receiving 67 nominations from 40 universities in 19 countries, the MacJannet Prize Selection Committee has chosen the following programs:

The first place winner, which will receive $5,000, is the Urban Health Program based in Aga Khan University in Pakistan. This innovative and long-standing program run by Aga Khan’s Department of Community Health Sciences provides critical health and socio-economic support to the squatter settlements of Karachi.

Administrators at Aga Khan University founded the program in 1983, when public health efforts received little attention from other Pakistani universities. Since the establishment of the Department of Community Health Sciences, whose mandate was to help develop community-based knowledge and skills among its students, many other medical schools have used the Urban Health Program as a model for their own public health work. Indeed, the program is a model for all sustainable university-based civic engagement programs. The communities involved have been mobilized to form their own management organizations and initiate micro-credit and skill building projects. Many graduates, inspired by their hands-on work through the Urban Health Program, now serve in ministries of health or find other ways to continue their commitment to public health and poverty alleviation. The $5,000 monetary prize will be used to further the program’s inspiring work. Learn more at the Urban Health Program website.

http://www.macjannetprize.org/
http://talloiresnetwork.blogspot.com
EdNews – Daily Times – Reuters

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/0 ... tizenship/

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MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship to Be Presented at Award Ceremony in Talloires, France | Campus Compact
Posted: 04 Jun 2009 07:16 AM PDT


MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – The Talloires Network and the MacJannet Foundation will present the first annual MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship at an award ceremony on June 6 at the Tufts European Center in Talloires, France. The Prize winners were announced on April 16 after a Selection Committee of leaders in higher education civic engagement reviewed the 67 applications.
First prize is being awarded to the Urban Health Program at Aga Khan University in Pakistan.
….
The Talloires Network will be flying two representatives from each of the first and second place winners to receive their awards in person at the award ceremony in Talloires. The Urban Health Program at Aga Khan University will be represented by Dr. Muhammad Yousuf, Principal Coordinator of the UHP, and Maliha Naseer, a Community Medicine Resident in the UHP.
via MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship to Be Presented at Award Ceremony in Talloires, France | Campus Compact.

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MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship to Be Presented at Award Ceremony in Talloires, France | Campus Compact
June 4, 2009
Posted by ismailimail in Aga Khan University, Asia, Europe, Pakistan.
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MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – The Talloires Network and the MacJannet Foundation will present the first annual MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship at an award ceremony on June 6 at the Tufts European Center in Talloires, France. The Prize winners were announced on April 16 after a Selection Committee of leaders in higher education civic engagement reviewed the 67 applications.

First prize is being awarded to the Urban Health Program at Aga Khan University in Pakistan.

….

The Talloires Network will be flying two representatives from each of the first and second place winners to receive their awards in person at the award ceremony in Talloires. The Urban Health Program at Aga Khan University will be represented by Dr. Muhammad Yousuf, Principal Coordinator of the UHP, and Maliha Naseer, a Community Medicine Resident in the UHP.

via MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship to Be Presented at Award Ceremony in Talloires, France | Campus Compact.

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/0 ... s-compact/
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Aga Khan University, University of Alberta expand partnership


Aga Khan University president Firoz Rasul and U of A president Indira Samarasekera sign the MOU, while His Highness the Aga Khan and Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach look on.

http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/article.cfm?id=10240

June 9, 2009 - Edmonton--The University of Alberta and the Aga Khan University today signed a memorandum of understanding that advances their respective goals to increase global engagement and to promote equitable human advancement and social justice throughout the world.

The agreement was signed at Government House by University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera and Aga Khan University President Firoz Rasul in the presence of Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, and His Highness the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.

"The expansion of this partnership puts the University of Alberta on the forefront of international capacity building," said Stelmach at the signing ceremony. "AKDN's extensive reputation in economic, social and cultural development allows the university to harness Alberta's research and teaching innovation to benefit communities not only in Alberta, but also in East Africa, and Central and South Asia."

The agreement expands on an existing relationship between the two universities and includes two additional agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network: the University of Central Asia and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

"The University of Alberta, along with the Aga Khan Development Network, is deeply committed to providing globally engaged higher education and research," said Samarasekera. "Through our partnership, the university will move much closer to fulfilling one of our most important goals-to reach out to the developing world in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, and engage in meaningful and effective dialogue and exchange."

Areas identified for immediate collaboration include health sciences education, humanities development and library planning, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use programs with particular emphasis on mountain environments and semi-arid regions with the University of Central Asia.

"This partnership will enable the University of Alberta's expertise to impact parts of the world that would not otherwise benefit from these capabilities," stated Rasul. "Their innovative approach to research, teaching and service in healthcare, education, and sustainable economic and environmental development in northern Canadian communities could greatly benefit the developing countries in which AKU, UCA and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture currently work."

The deepened partnership will also facilitate the participation of the U of A in the development of the Undergraduate Medical Education Programme in East Africa and will build on previous successes to move beyond health care and the health sciences into areas that will benefit the larger AKDN vision.

The collaboration between the two universities builds on an initial agreement signed in June 2006 on academic and scientific cooperation together with Alberta Health Services. As a result of that agreement, faculty and staff from the AKU School of Nursing and the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, have recently completed graduate programs and training at the U of A in areas such as interventional cardiology, breast conservation surgery and physiotherapy.

Over the past 25 years, the Aga Khan University has fostered partnerships with several universities in Canada and across the world including McMaster, the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, Harvard University and Oxford University. Based on common values and approaches to sustainable development, these partnerships have improved the quality of curriculum development and teaching standards at AKU and raised the profile of professions such as nursing and teaching in the developing world, giving students the impetus to enter these desperately needed careers. Students and faculty from partner institutions have further benefited through professional exchanges, joint research projects and teaching opportunities.

"Partnerships, such as this one, build capacity in the developing world where it is needed most, but more importantly, they build compassion and understanding across our interconnected world. By expanding this partnership to other AKDN agencies, we hope to spread the benefits further afield," said Rasul.
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Khyber Medical University seeks cooperation of AKU in health education June 11, 2009
Posted by ismailimail in Aga Khan University, Asia, Education, Pakistan.
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8 June 2009 Daily The Pak Banker

PESHAWAR: A team Comprising of faculty members of Khyber Medical University (KMU) & Principals of all Public Sector Medical & Dental Colleges of NWFP headed by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah Vice Chancellor KMU visited the Aga Khan University (AKU) Karachi, where they were given presentations regarding undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula being offered in medical field. The team was also apprised of the mode of professional education, teaching, training and research work being carried out under AKU.

VC KMU, Prof. Dr. Hafizullah showed great interest in Problem Base Learning mode of the university at undergraduate level. The session lasted for two hours and both side discussed mutual interests in medical and health education. VC KMU while showing interest asked the AKU that being role model in the relevant field they would need their assistance in establishing Institute of Medical and Health Education in NWFP. The administration assured them of their cooperation.


Prof. Dr. Shad Muhammad, Director (Academic, Admission & Quality Assurance), Prof. Dr. Nargas Perveen, Principal Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Hamayun Shah, Principal, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Prof. Dr. Qiamudin, Principal, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mateen, Principal, Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Jan, Principal, Saidu Medical College, Swat, Prof. Dr. Abid Jamil, Deputy Dean PGMI, HMC, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Zubair Khan, Principal Khyber Girls Medical College, Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Shafiqullah, Principal, Bannu Medical College, Bannu and Syed Muhammad Ashhad Halimi, Deputy Registrar (Meetings & Academics ) were among those visting the Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi under its five day program under which certain medical and health sciences universities of the country would be visited by the team.

The team, at AKU, was received by Prof. Dr. Farhat Abbasi, Dean Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Jamshid Associate Dean PGME, Prof. Dr. Rasheeda Ahmad, Dr. Saeeda and Dr. Anwar Saddiqi of AKU.

The team also visited different departments of the AKU including Learning Recourse Centre, Clinical skills Workshop and Nursing School.

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/0 ... education/
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NEW HEART PROCEDURE CARRIED OUT

Coastweek -- NEW HEART PROCEDURE. Dr. Neil Brass [centre],
an interventional cardiologist at the Royal Alexander Hospital
in Canada, performs the first balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty
procedure at the Catheterization Laboratory of the Aga Khan
University Hospital, Nairobi. He was assisted by Dr. Harun A.
Otieno [right], an interventional cardiologist at the Hospital
and Linet Okuku [left], a cardiac nurse. This heart procedure
is used to open a narrowed heart valve. The balloon-tipped
catheter is inserted through the skin in the groin and inflated
to stretch the valve open and relieve the valve obstruction.



AT THE AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, NAIROBI

Coastweek -- Dr. Neil Brass, an interventional cardiologist at the Royal Alexander Hospital in Canada , carried out the first balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty procedure at the Catheterization Laboratory of the Aga Khan University Hospital , Nairobi .

He was assisted by Dr. Harun A. Otieno, an interventional cardiologist at the Hospital.

Dr. Harun Otieno, a Cardiologist, at the Aga Khan University Hospital , Nairobi , explained, “There are four valves in the heart.

“These are aortic, pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid.

“The valves open and close to regulate the blood flow from one chamber to the other and are vital to the efficient functioning of the heart.”

"Pulmonic Stenosis is a heart condition that causes reduced opening of the pulmonary valve leading to increased pressure build up in the heart.

“Over years this causes the heart muscle to work harder, but may eventually fail.

“This condition is normally detected and treated in childhood by stretching open the tight pulmonic valve by a balloon or sometimes open heart surgery is done if very severe. Adults presenting with this condition is not very common."

“The balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty treatment is a minimal invasive procedure used to open the narrowed pulmonary valves and improve blood flow.

“A thin tube (catheter) with a small deflated balloon at its tip is inserted through the patient’s skin in the groin area into a blood vessel. This is threaded up to the narrowed heart valve.

“The balloon is inflated to stretch the valve open and relieve the obstruction.”

“The procedure is carried out at our state of the art Catheterisation Laboratory which has x-ray monitors.

“These allow visualization of the catheter in the blood vessels.

“Once the narrowed valve has been widened, the balloon-tipped catheter is removed.”

Dr. Harun Otieno added, “The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi has also become the first hospital in the region to provide a Radial Access Approach for cardiac catheterization.

“This technique is used to widen the blocked coronary artery of the heart through the hand as opposed to femoral (thigh).

“A catheter with a small balloon on the end is inflated to stretch the artery open and to allow blood to flow easily to feed the heart muscle.”

The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi cardiologists are working in partnership with the Canadian cardiac doctors from the Royal Alexandra Hospital and University of Alberta to develop the first regional radial arterial access laboratory in Kenya.

This will provide state of the art care for patients with cardiac illnesses.

By the second quarter of 2010 a second cardiac catheterization laboratory and comprehensive cardiac surgery operating theater and intensive care unit will be housed in a 40 million dollar heart and cancer centre which is under construction at the Aga Khan University Hospital , Nairobi .

This Aga Khan University , Nairobi heart and cancer centre will be the only one of its kind in East and Central Sub-Saharan Africa and will serve as the regional referral heart and cancer centre.

In addition to providing high quality tertiary cardiac and cancer care, the centre will be a platform for scientific research and postgraduate sub speciality fellowship training.

http://www.coastweek.com/3225-06.htm
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2nd National Road Safety Conference on 7th

KARACHI: Indus Motor Company (IMC) and Shell Pakistan in partnership with The Aga Khan University Hospital, Sindh Education Foundation and the Road Traffic injury Research Center (Ministry of Health) are organizing the 2nd National Road Safety Conference (NSRC) on July 7, 2009 at the Aga Khan University Auditorium, Karachi. Participants at the conference will comprise of government and regulatory body dignitaries and stakeholders from the corporate, education, health, road traffic systems and the engineering sectors. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 009_pg5_12
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AKU Receives Environmental Award

NFEH organising 6th annual environment awards
Upadated on: 09 Jul 09 02:02 AM


Staff Report

KARACHI: The National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) is organising the Sixth Annual Environment Excellence Awards 2009 on Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi. The event would also include a corporate dialogue on ‘environment management’.

The event is being held in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme. Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi would be the chief guest on the occasion, and Sindh Minister for Environment and Alternative Energy Askari Taqvi would be the guest of honour.

Karachi Nazim Mustafa Kamal, FPCCI Standing Committee for Environment Chairman Gulzar Feroz, NFEH Chairman Kaiser Waheed Shaikh, environment expert Dr Samiuz Zaman, NFEH Adviser Zaheer Baig, IUCN Vice-President Javed Jabbar, Sybird Group Chief Operating Officer Ted Mir, Environmental Protection Agency Director Technical Sindh Naim Mughal, Hamdard University Vice Chancellor Dr Nasim Ahmed and others would speak on the occasion.

The 6th Annual Environment Excellence Awards would be awarded to 49 best environment friendly companies of Pakistan. The awards have been instituted to recognise and promote the organisations, which make an outstanding contribution to sustainable development. They aim to highlight policies, practices, processes and products from all sectors of business in the country, which help achieve economic and social development without harming the environment and natural resources.

The jury has finalised the following companies for the awards: Aga Khan University, AES Lal Pir , Allied Industries Hub Ltd, Attock Refinery, Akbar Associates group, BHP Petroleum Pakistan , Clariant Pakistan, Crescent Bahuman, Dadex Eternit Ltd, Dalda foods, Descon Engineering, Dawood Hercules Chemicals, Engro Chemicals Pakistan, English Biscuit Manufacture, Engro Zarkhez Chemical Pakistan, Engro Polymer and Chemical, Glaxo Smith Kline Pakistan, Gerry's Dnata, Habib Oil Mills, Highnoon Laboratories Ltd, ICI Pakistan, International Industries, JS Private Equity, Kot Addu Power Company, KESC, KSB Pumps Company, Mobilink (PMCL) Pakistan, National Refinery, Oil and Gas Development Company, Packages, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd, Pakistan Refinery Ltd, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Oil Fields, Pakistan State Oil, Pak Elektron Ltd, Pak Arab Refinery Ltd, Pepsi Cola International, Philips Pakistan, Qarshi Industries Pvt Ltd, Rafhan Maize Products Ltd, Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd, Siemens Pakistan Engineering Co Ltd, Shell Pakistan, Siddiq Leather Works, Tourism Promotion Services Pakistan Ltd, United Marine Agencies, World Wide Energy Logistics, and Waste Management Company.

Karachi Nazim Mustafa Kamal would receive the award of the ‘Best Nazim of Pakistan’ in recognition of his outstanding services for betterment of the city. Three environmental journalists would also be awarded. SAMAA

http://www.samaa.tv/News10304-NFEH_orga ... wards.aspx
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Public-private partnerships must to wipe out illiteracy
Published: July 07, 2009

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KARACHI - Minister of State for Education, Ghulam Farid Khatiya, has said that the 21st century is the century of partnerships and both public and private sectors should join hands to reduce illiteracy. Public sector alone
was not responsible for improving the literacy rate in Pakistan which at 48 per cent was one of the lowest of developing countries in the region; instead it is a joint responsibility of all stakeholders including the private
sector.

The Minister made these remarks at the inaugural ceremony of the 10th National Summer Camp for Talented HSSC Boys, with 150 students from 26 education boards across Pakistan, hosted by the Aga Khan University
Examination Board (AKU-EB). Explaining the government’s plans to reform the education sector, he talked about the ministry’s efforts to make the education system more demanded and market oriented, to meet the needs of the time. He said, “The existing scheme of studies for classes I to XII has been revised according to emerging trends,
global changes and job market requirements.
The new scheme will give importance to the sciences along with Islamic studies. It will also include issues related to cultural sensitivity, health, environment and population education, and peace and human rights.
” The minister encouraged students to continue to achieve excellent results and “to earn a good name for the nation.

More...

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news- ... literacy/1
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Suicide; Researchers at Aga Khan University release new data on suicide

15 July 2009 Biotech Week

2009 JUL 15 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to recent research from Karachi, Pakistan, "Suicide is an understudied subject in Pakistan. There are many social, legal, and religious sanctions against it."

"National rates of suicides are not known. We calculated suicide rates of women in the Ghizer District of the remote Northern Areas of Pakistan. During years 2000 to 2004, 49 women committed suicide. Taking average mean population for women for 5 years as 65,783, we calculated annual crude suicide rates for women as 14.89/100,000/year. For women over the age of 15 years, rates were 33.22/100,000/year; age-specific rates for 15-24 years were 61.07/100,000 per year. These figures are considerably higher than suicide rates in other parts of Pakistan and may be related to high psychiatric morbidity in Pakistani women. This study underscores the need for a standardized system of registration of suicides in Pakistan," wrote M.M. Khan and colleagues, Aga Khan University.

The researchers concluded: "There is also urgent need to address high psychological distress in women in Pakistan."

Khan and colleagues published their study in Suicide and Life - Threatening Behavior (Female Suicide Rates in Ghizer, Pakistan. Suicide and Life - Threatening Behavior, 2009;39(2):227-230).

For additional information, contact M.M. Khan, Aga Khan University, Dept. of Psychiatry, Stadium Rd., POB 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.

Publisher contact information for the journal Suicide and Life - Threatening Behavior is: Guilford Publications Inc., 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012, USA.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.


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Helicobacter pylori; New helicobacter pylori study findings reported from Aga Khan University

22 July 2009 Biotech Week

2009 JUL 22 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to recent research from Karachi, Pakistan, "The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and practices of primary care physicians in diagnosis and management of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection in developing country. This convenient sample based, cross sectional study was conducted in primary care physicians of Karachi, Pakistan from March 2008 to August 2008 through a pretested self-designed questionnaire, which contained 11 items pertaining to H. pylori route of transmission, diagnosis, indication for testing, treatment options, follow up and source of information."

"Out of 509 primary care physicians, 451 consented to participate with the response rate of 88.6%. Responses of 426 primary care physicians were analyzed after excluding 19 physicians. 78% of the physicians thought that contaminated water was the source of spread of infection, dyspepsia was the most frequent indication for investigating H. pylori infection (67% of the physicians), while 43% physicians were of the view that serology was the most appropriate test to diagnose active H. pylori infection. 77% of physicians thought that gastric ulcer was the most compelling indication for treatment, 61% physicians preferred Clarithromycin based triple therapy for 7-14 days. 57% of the physicians would confirm H. pylori eradication after treatment in selected patients and 47% physicians preferred serological testing for follow-up. In case of treatment failure, only 36% of the physicians were in favor of gastroenterologist referral. The primary care physicians in this study lacked in
knowledge regarding management of H. pylori infection. Internationally published guidelines and World gastroenterology organization (WGO) practice guideline on H. pylori for developing countries have little impact on current practices of primary care physicians," wrote S. Ahmed and colleagues, Aga Khan University.

The researchers concluded: "We recommend more teaching programs, continuous medical education activities regarding H. pylori infection."

Ahmed and colleagues published their study in BMC Gastroenterology (Helicobacter pylori infection: approach of primary care physicians in a developing country. BMC Gastroenterology, 2009;9():23).

For additional information, contact S. Ahmed, Aga Khan University Hospital, Dept. of Medical, Gastroenterology Sect, Karachi, Pakistan.

Publisher contact information for the journal BMC Gastroenterology is: Biomedical Central Ltd., Current Science Group, Middlesex House, 34-42 Cleveland St., London W1T 4LB, England.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.


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Pakistan: AKU offers leadership course for healthcare providers
Staff Reporter 26 July 2009 Daily The Pak Banker

KARACHI: Educational Development Department, Aga Khan University will hold an Advanced Level Course on Leadership for the faculty at leadership positions in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Allied Health in October this year.

The 12 day extensive course on Leadership and Programme Evaluation in Health Professions Education (HPE) would focus on various programme evaluation models and their appropriate use, development of a plan for improvement or change, and leadership initiatives for such a change. Emphasis is on relating principles of educational management to the practice in participant's own institution and helping them to reflect in order to become a more effective leader and manager, said the organizers.

Salient Features of the course were mentioned to be rich inter-professional interaction with faculty having diverse educational background and expertise.

Educational Philosophies and Strategies related to Educational Leadership, Management and Evaluation and their application with emphasis on individual and institutional needs was also cited to be an important aspect followed by Continuing Education (CE) 7 credits.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmailiM ... ZK39mNTLc/
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Diabetes and Ramadan

August 08, 2009

Aga Khan University Hospital invites you to a health awareness seminar on Diabetes and Ramadan on Saturday, August 8, 2009.

Time and Venue
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Lecture Hall 1, AKU Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan

Programme

Topics
Speakers

Management of Diabetes in Ramadan
Dr Qamar Masood
Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

Importance of Self Blood Glucose Monitoring and Diabetes Care during Roza
Ms Saira Suleman Hudani
Diabetes Nurse Educator

Dietary Modification during Ramadan
Ms Faiza Shoaib
Clinical Nutritionist


Lectures will be followed by a panel discussion and question & answer session.

Admission is free.

Free blood sugar testing and patient education material is available for limited number of participants.

For more details, please contact:
Tel: +92 21 3493 0051 Ext. 5755 / 5792
http://www.aku.edu/events/Diabetes_Rama ... 8_09.shtml
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World Bank Grant Competition Awards to Grassroots Initiatives to Address Undernutrition in South Asia
Posted: 07 Aug 2009 11:31 AM PDT


Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan and Aga Khan Health Services, India among the winners.
Dhaka, August 5, 2009 ─ Twenty-one civil society organizations from across South Asia won grants today from an $840,000 award pool funded by the South Asia Region Development Marketplace (DM). The winners received up to $40,000 each to implement innovative ideas on how to improve nutrition in their respective countries.

http://web.worldbank.org

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/0 ... outh-asia/

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Post by kmaherali »

Fundraising through greeting cards

KARACHI: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has once again come up with a series of greeting cards that aim at generating funds for the needy patients visiting the hospital.

For the greeting card campaign, the paintings, which were selected to be printed on the cards, include “Landmarks of Pakistan” by Aftab Zafar, “Karachi Harbour” by Abdul Hayee and “Composition of Pakistani Architecture” by Jimmy Engineer. Apart from these famous painters, talented students, teachers, special children and art galleries have altogether donated about 40 marvelous painting for Eid greeting cards.

Funds raised through the greeting cards campaign allow the AKUH to financially support needy patients in getting quality healthcare facilities. The hospital also has a patient welfare program through which the hospital provides financial assistance to poor patients. AKUH initiated the program in 1986 and official record reveals that the hospital has financially assisted 0.35 million patients with an assistance of over Rs 2 billion through the Patient Welfare Programme. The hospital record reveals that more than 70 per cent of the 500,000 patients who visit AKUH receive financial assistance through the Patient Welfare Programme and the Patients’ Behbud Society. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 009_pg12_9
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Post by kmaherali »

Developing Musical Thought in Medical Students

The summer of 2008, when electives for the medical students were announced, several students found it surprising that a medical college elective would be titled ‘Rhythms in Evolution’. A primary intent of the said elective was to allow the interested students an exploration of their musical talent and the possibility of its application in medicine. In retrospect, going through that elective turned out an enjoyable, enriching, and melodious experience.

The elective involved two music classes per week, each lasting for about three hours. Three skeptic medical students, namely, Farwa, Abaseen, and Adil, each with only a limited prior exposure to music composition, enrolled for the class. A pre-course questionnaire was administered to assess the musical aptitude and interest of the three participants. The music room where the classes took place was a small room lined with computer stations and a view of the bright and sunny hills situated around the outskirts of Karachi. Except for a keyboard, perched on its stand at the far end, nothing about that room resonated a musical note. Dr. Jamsheer Talati, a general surgeon by profession and a trained classical pianist by passion, was the instructor. The computers were to be used for downloading and listening to audio files, to train the ear and wet sensibility for the main course, and to employ software to work with musical notations.

The first week of the course was devoted merely to studying the history and evolution of various genres of music over the ages, spanning music from the ancient ages, classics, rock, jazz, and techno. The activities comprised of extensive music listening and group presentations of the findings and experience. The presentations and discussions featured selected composers from different eras. By the end of the first week participants had heard and discussed a rich concoction of music from all ages and many regions of the world.

In the second week, participants took a closer look at the various elements and intricacies of music that bestow it the richness and variety that so often goes unappreciated: Rhythm, timing, frequency, timbre, organum, counterpoint and elaboration were therefore discussed. During the same week, participants listened to the works of eminent composers, including Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Bach, and Messian. The participants were encouraged to pick the emotion that the composer tried to communicate through music, and to understand how various tones and melodies were being exploited to create a scene in the mind of the listener. In medical language, this is known as the external locus, which is an emotion perceived to be expressed in a musical piece. The external locus is stronger than the internal locus; emotions felt in response to music [1]. Music, like speech, thus forms a mode of communication. Pleasant emotional responses to music have been localized to certain areas of the brain; ventral striatum, orbito-frontal cortex, amygdale and ventral-medial pre-frontal cortex [2]. Interestingly these regions of the brain are also relevant to motivation and reward, and judgment [2].

During the same week, participants were introduced to musical notation. Music Publisher 6; a computer software that allows the writing and playback of sheet music, was mastered and effectively used to develop musical notation. Over the course of the week that followed, these compositions were embellished upon using the concepts of counterpoint, organum, and variations of timing. Music notation is like a language; pitch, harmony and melody structure the communicating sound, whereas rhythm and meter give it temporality. It comes as no surprise that music training is considered to have potential for enhancing verbal skills [3-4].

The forth and final week of the elective, each participant was asked to choose a story or a piece of poetry and express it, or the emotion it evoked, in the form of sheet music. The written music was tried out on various instruments, with the help of Music Publisher 6, in order to experiment with the melody. Farwa, Adil, and Abaseen took, respectively, poems by the great Persian poet, Rumi and a character from the film Elephant Man, as inspiration for their compositions. The end of the fourth week marked the end of the elective. The participants had gained significant prowess in musical notation and composition, modifying and refining their original compositions and sharing them with each other. A post-elective assessment revealed they had developed an initial interest as well as a greater appreciation for music.

Farwa’s composition (Rumi)

Adil’s composition (Rumi)

Abaseen’s composition (The Elephant Man)

Music, like language, communicates shapes, patterns, textures, and scenarios. Neuroimaging studies have ascribed musical experience to the fronto-parietal mirror neuron system [5]. These neurons are responsible for how we detect the feelings conveyed by speech or music, ‘mirror’ them in our perception and generate a personalized response. Language, music, and motor activity converge at this very neural system. Musical appreciation can therefore intensify our emotional experience and enable us to empathize [6]. Skills acquired through training in fine-arts, such as music, help to cultivate empathy, emotional sensibility and consideration of humane aspects not taught by medical textbooks.

Adil Shah, Farwa Ali, Abaseen Afghan , Jamsheer Talati and Syed Ali are final year medical students at Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan
adil.shah.m07@aku.edu

References:

1. Schubert, E. Locus of emotion: the effect of task order and age on emotion perceived and emotion felt in response to music. Journal of Music Therapy. 2007;44:344–368. [PubMed]

2. Blood, AJ; Zatorre, RJ. Intensely pleasurable responses to music correlate with activity in brain regions implicated with reward and emotion. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2001;98:11818–11823. doi: 10.1073/pnas.191355898. [PubMed]

3. Foxton, JM; Talcott, JB; Witton, C; Brace, H; McIntyre, F; Griffiths, TD. Reading skills are related to global, but not local, acoustic pattern perception. Nat Neurosci. 2003;6:343–344. [PubMed]

4. Patel, AD; Peretz, I; Tramo, M; Labrecque, R. Processing prosodic and music patterns: A neuropsychological investigation. Brain Lang. 1998;61:123–144. [PubMed]

5. Istvan Molnar-Szakacs and Katie Overy. Music and mirror neurons: from motion to ’e’motion. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2006 December; 1(3): 235–241.
doi: 10.1093/scan/nsl029.

6. Marie Forgeard, Ellen Winner, Andrea Norton, and Gottfried Schlaug, Practicing a Musical Instrument in Childhood is Associated with Enhanced Verbal Ability and Nonverbal Reasoning. 2008 October 29. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003566.
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Post by kmaherali »

HOSPITAL RECEIVES KSHS. 105,800
FOR YOUNG BRAIN CANCER PATIENT


about 12 cases of 'Cerebral Hodgkin's
Lymphoma' been reported world wide


Coastweek -- Members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya presented a cheque of 105,800 shillings to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi's Patient Welfare Fund to pay for treatment for Rukiya Mramba who was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer known as Cerebral Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

The 12 year old girl who was abandoned by her parents and lives with her grandmother in Kilifi was identified by field workers of the Aga Khan Health Services in Mombasa and referred to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi for investigations.

Professor William Macharia, Consultant Paediatrician and Chair of the Department of Paediatrics at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, explained:

"After diagnosis, reports confirmed that Rukiya was suffering from a very rare but potentially treatable cancer- Cerebral Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

"This is a type of cancer that originates in the brain and spreads from one group of lymph to another.



Coastweek -- Dr. Prakash Patel [left], a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya, presents a cheque for 105,800 shillings to Jane Wanyama [right], the Administration Director Clinical Programmes at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.


"To date, there are about 12 cases reported world wide, and none have been as large and long standing as this."

"Through the Patient Welfare Programme of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Rukiya was treated by Mr. M.M Qureshi (a neuro-surgeon) and Mr. Paresh Devani (a maxillofacial surgeon) who waived their specialist fee and through extensive surgery, successfully excised the brain tumour."

"Rukiya is now receiving chemotherapy for the next 12 months. She needs help from well-wishers because she requires funds for her 12 months chemotherapy, laboratory and x-ray examinations.

Her treatment is administered every two weeks at a cost of 30,000 shillings and in three months time she will have to undergo radiotherapy which costs about 60,000 shillings."

Professor Macharia concluded:

"The Patient Welfare Programme of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi is run with contributions donated by well-wishers, corporate partners and donors.

"With the number of patients in need for specialized treatment increasing each year, the demand for the Hospital's welfare assistance exceeds the inflow of funds.

"Our programme is in need of continuous contributions from supporters."

http://www.coastweek.com/3235-06.htm
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Post by kmaherali »

Summer Programme 2009
Expressions of Diversity: A Contemporary Introduction to Muslim Cultures

AKU-ISMC, in collaboration with the Simon Fraser University – The Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures (SFU-CCSMSC), offered a two week Summer Programme, ‘Expressions of Diversity: A Contemporary Introduction to Muslim Cultures'. The course was held in London from July 20 – 31, 2009.

The Summer Programme aimed at providing participants a window into the diversity of cultural and social productions of Muslims, past and present. The programme structure included sessions on art, science, music and other topics exploring the various facets of the history, culture and contemporary challenges of Muslims. Classroom sessions were supplemented by a series of co-curricular activities (i.e. public talk, neighbourhood walk, cultural event, museum visit, film show) which were included in the programme to ensure participants were provided with a rich, vibrant and multicultural environment

The Programme was attended by 35 participants from Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, UK, and USA. The faculty was drawn from AKU-ISMC, SFU-CCSMSC, the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS), and the Institute of Ismaili Studies.

Participants found the programme to be a ‘wonderful, thought provoking course'. Many appreciated the ‘non-partisan' approach taken by the diverse and experienced faculty. The course was found to be ‘motivating and inspiring' and all participants felt it exceeded their expectations.

Following the success of the Summer Programme last year and this year, this Programme will now be offered in 2010 in Vancouver, Canada (hosted by the SFU-CCSMSC).

This Summer Programme is part of a series of Short Courses offered by the Professional Programmes Unit at AKU-ISMC.

http://www.aku.edu/ISMC/exp_of_div.shtml
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http://www.coastweek.com/3237-14.htm

ISSUE NO. 3237
September 11 - 17, 2009
Coastweek Kenya

AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
is now AWARDED the TOP BRAND

IN the SUPERBRANDS EDUCATION AND HEALTH
CARE FACILITIES CATEGORY of the year 2009

Coastweek -- Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH,N) has emerged the top Superbrand in the brand category of Education and Healthcare facilities and the overall position of 13, in a brand research where over one thousand brands in East Africa were considered.

According to the Superbrands 2008/2009 selection process, the endorsement provides evidence to existing and potential consumers, media, employees and investors of the exceptional standing that the Superbrands have achieved.

Pauline Ngatia marketing manager AKUH,N said "the Hospital has focused on reinforcing the core brand values of Quality, Impact, Relevance and Access and has positioned itself as the leading tertiary health care and teaching hospital in the region".

Apart from the many facility improvements, and new structures, such as the upcoming 50 million dollar Heart and Cancer Center, that will provide high quality cardiac and oncology care to patients, Aga Khan University Hospital has also embarked on a Public Awareness Programme where the hospital provides free lectures and examinations on various medical conditions including heart disease, maternal and child health care among others.

The free breast and cervical cancer examinations are held every last Saturday of the month.

"Those we serve can expect the highest quality of care, with the best possible evidence-based outcomes in facilities that are well equipped and have an excellent infrastructure of systems, processes and technology" Pauline added.


According to Superbrands East Africa over 2,500 East Africans were asked to vote for the best brands "this detailed survey involved interviewing experts and consumers, the latter by the Nairobi based TNS Research International team, providing the most comprehensive snapshot of brand success in the region and evidence as to which brands are well regarded in the markets of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.

.
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Post by kmaherali »

Syrian delegation visits AKU


September 15, 2009


Karachi, Pakistan

Aga Khan University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministries of Health and Higher Education of the Government of Syria to help enhance nursing capacity in the country. One of the aims of this partnership is to provide technical assistance to the Ministries for strengthening the government-run Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) programmes by introducing research-based and relevant curriculum, as well as assisting with the capacity building of faculty.

The University is currently working with Al-Baath University in the Hama Governorate in Syria. Dr Mohamad Ayman Al Sabbagh, Dean, Faculty of Nursing, Al-Baath University, Ms Marlen Salloum Hashem, Director, BScN programme – an AKU School of Nursing alumni and the first woman to hold a director’s position in Syria – along with faculty from Al-Baath University visited AKU during the week of September 2, 2009.

The team was introduced to AKU’s academic administration processes and infrastructure, focussing on the BScN programme. They also engaged in a series of workshops on curriculum development and implementation, clinical teaching and using learning materials. The Syrian team visited clinical sites, both in the public and private sectors, with a view to enhance clinical practice in Syria.

http://www.aku.edu/OnlineNews/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=213
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Post by kmaherali »

Learning Is an SMS Away: Mobile Phones in Education
Posted on 17/09/2009


Remote teachers can request assistance by uploading text messages to Moodle (a virtual learning environment) through which faculty can track comments and provide support. Photo: AKDN Penina Onyango, Head Teacher at Kawino Secondary School in Kisumu, Kenya, no longer awaits the arrival of Brown Onguko – her course facilitator at AKU’s Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (AKU-IED, EA) – from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to help resolve her teaching challenges. Instead, she has a much better bargain: she can communicate with Onguko when she actually needs his help, thanks to her mobile phone and text messaging, which costs her as little as Ksh10 (US$ 0.13) per message

Although the University is already using eLearning technology to enhance outcomes for students, it relies on the use of the internet, access to which is still limited, slow or expensive in many developing countries. In Africa, less than 5 per cent of people use the internet – in Kenya only 2.2 per cent of households have internet access and the figure drops to 0.6 per cent in Tanzania, compared to 72.1 per cent in Canada and 61.7 per cent in the US, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2009 report Measuring the Information Society.

The mobile phone, however, has become the single most widespread information and communication technology tool today. ITU points out that two-thirds of the world’s mobile phone subscriptions are from the developing world, with Africa continuing to experience the highest growth rate. While just one in 50 Africans had a mobile phone at the beginning of this century, over a quarter of the continent’s population has one today. In 2007, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda had about 30, 20 and 13 mobile phone subscriptions for every 100 people respectively.

AKU-IED, EA has begun exploring the promise of mobile telephony in education in Kisumu, one of six sites where an Educational Leadership and Management certificate course is offered. The five other sites, Mombasa and Nairobi in Kenya, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Kampala in Uganda, will be brought into the fold later. Normally, course facilitators travel over 1,000 km from Dar es Salaam to Kisumu to physically support participants through the school or workplace-based stage of the course. But as Onguko, who initiated the mobile technology programme at the Institute, explains, “the field sessions entail discussions about the participants’ action research study, which can very well be done through SMS without having to board a plane, book a room in a hotel for 10 days, and then hire a taxi to visit all the schools involved.”

Instead, 22 public sector head teachers and three Kenyan Ministry of Education officers were offered the opportunity to participate in learning using a mobile phone in 2008. Participants could text message their facilitators or even their colleagues for help. They met regularly in groups of three to discuss issues in establishing new practices in their schools and shared their learning with AKU-IED, EA through SMS messages, which were then uploaded to Moodle (a virtual learning environment) that helped faculty track individual comments and provide support to the larger group. Ouma Felix Otieno, Head Teacher and one of the course participants from Opande Primary School said, “The service kept us linked together, kept us updated and involved all in the programme. It kept participants on their toes, in line with the facilitators’ expectations, and extended our learning areas even to the field and home, not necessarily only in the school or classroom.”

“The experience of teaching in this manner has been a journey of learning,” added Dr Jane Rarieya, Head, Teaching Programmes, AKU-IED, EA. “At times it was overwhelming because I would get a large number of messages in one go, especially after a seminar or cluster meeting. Fortunately these would be stored on my phone and I could provide well-thoughtout responses to the participants.”

A significant feature of AKU-IED, EA’s programme is learning through practice. But as Dr Iffat Farah, Acting Director, AKU-IED, EA points out, “providing support for such learning is extremely resource intensive. Text messaging using mobile phones makes it possible to provide field support to a larger number of teachers at a much lower cost.” In this experiment, text messaging cost around US$ 4 per participant, versus an estimated US$ 120 per person for traditional face-to-face visits by just one facilitator, in the three-month support period.

Like any innovation in its infancy, the mobile learning system is not without flaws; beside technical difficulties such as lost messages in cyberspace, there is also the question of maintaining assessment quality, since a phone service is essentially replacing physical monitoring. However, according to Dr Rarieya, “the course participants who were in frequent contact with their faculty supervisors through text messaging submitted good action research reports and we attribute that partly to the support they got through SMS. Moreover, mobile learning has allowed us to provide more frequent support to participants from distant and remote locations.” Lessons learned from this experiment will contribute to AKU-IED, EA’s ongoing research in information and communication technologies (ICTs) in education, conducted in partnership with the universities of Calgary and Cambridge. This research aims to study the impact of ICT-related interventions for professional development and training.

Mobile technology may well be one of the critical components of teaching and learning in the future in the developing world, enabling AKU-IED, EA to offer high quality, context-relevant programmes in East Africa

http://www.akdn.org/Content/844
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Post by kmaherali »

Bureaucracy major hurdle in uplift process
Source: OUR STAFF REPORTER Submitted 17 hrs 17 mins ago KARACHI -

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that City government has allocated thousands of acre land in Master Plan for Education City in Gadap Town. This project would in future prove role model for other cities of Pakistan as thousands of students would be able to have quality educational facilities here.

He expressed these views while inspecting the land allocated for Education City of Agha Khan University.

Nazim Karachi said that all possible help and coordination would be provided to Agha Khan University for establishment of Education City so that students from all over the country could be benefited from this project.

Representatives of Agha Khan University and Qatar based construction firm Nadir Badruddin, Zaheer Rahim, EDO Revenue Sajjad Ali Abbasi, EDO Master Plan Atique Baig, M.D KWSB Qutub-ud-din Shaikh and other officers of city government also accompanied city nazim during this visit.
Earlier Nazim Karachi discussed the details of Education City Project with concerned officials and representatives of Agha Khan University. He also directed M.D Karachi Water & Sewerage Board to plan the provision of water and sewerage facilities to Education City and also construction of small water reservoirs for storage of rainwater.

Officers of city government were instructed to extend all possible help and adopt such a strategy that could ensure early start of construction work for Education City in Gadap Town.

City Nazim on this occasion also inspected the construction work of cadet collage in Gadap Town and directed concerned officials to further expedite work on this project.

Afterwards City Nazim with the delegation went to CNG Bus Terminal and reviewed the facilities provided there for passengers.

The delegation on this occasion praised the efforts of City Nazim in the rapid progress of Karachi and expressed interest in running CNG buses in Karachi. APP adds: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that certain elements in the bureaucracy are creating hurdles in the development process in Karachi.

They are trying to withhold even approved funds for city government due to which it was currently facing financial crisis, he said while talking to media representatives after attending the Eid Milan Party held at City Naib Nazim Secretariat.
UC Nazims, Haq Parast Councilors and opposition members were also present on this occasion.
Nazim Karachi said that some bureaucrats seems to be mentally sick while withholding the files of approved funds which is adversely affecting the ongoing development process in Karachi.
“This situation is not good for the country also because development in Karachi means developing Pakistan and even a temporary stop in the development process in Karachi would prove harmful to the national economy”.
Replying a question City Nazim referred to widely appreciation of Karachi Development Fund, setup by City Government for smooth completion and maintenance of development projects in Karachi and said it has provided proof of citizen’s interests in the progress of their city.
In this way the citizens have expressed their desire to take part in the city’s development which is a good omen, he said adding that “ with public encouragement we will soon start working on many mega projects for Karachi including mass transit system”.
Mustafa Kamal said that operation of Karachi Development Fund is being expanded and now all commercial banks in Karachi will collect donations for KDF and for citizen’s convenience city government has opened KDF accounts in all commercial banks.
He pointed out that even a little bit coordination and cooperation from citizens in this regard would provide great help in continuing the development process which would prove beneficial not only for people in Karachi but entire Pakistanis.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news- ... ft-process
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Post by kmaherali »

Sindh govt to form Education City Authority

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to form Education City Authority (ECA) to formally start work on the Education City project comprising 8900 acres of land in the city. It was also decided that prominent businessman Zubair Motiwala would head the ECA.

These decisions were taken at a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister (CM) House and chaired by Sindh CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah. The meeting discussed in detail the perspectives, planning and scope of the project sited in the Malir area between Superhighway and National Highway.

According to an official handout, the ECA would be responsible for framing bylaws, aims and objectives, sphere and scope of the scheme within three weeks. Shah ordered preparation of a master plan for the scheme and said that legal issues would be resolved soon by constituting a team of lawyers and experts in this regard.

Shah said that all stakeholders would be properly looked after and provided with required facilities at the Education City scheme, adding that public-private partnership would be encouraged for the enhancement of education in Sindh.

Shah also said that Sindh appreciated the Aga Khan University Education Board’s (AKU-EB) efforts apropos of setting up Agha Khan University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the Education City, adding that the concerned departments should process accordingly and hand over the required land to the AKU-EB.

The meeting was informed that the AKU-EB would establish its campus at an estimated cost of $41 million and that 10,000 jobs would be created under the project, while residences, parks and other facilities would also be provided.

Shah emphasised that the current government was making efforts for promoting, furthering and developing education in Sindh with the prime objective of improving the quality of education.

Besides Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, officials of the departments of education, revenue, land utilisation and finance, Sindh Board of Investment, and representatives of Agha Khan University and Agha Khan Development Network were also present at the meeting. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 009_pg12_6
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Post by kmaherali »

Breast Cancer Awareness Day

October 17, 2009

Aga Khan University is commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 17, 2009 to discuss the advances in prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

Time and Venue
10:00 - 11:30 am
AKU Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan

Lectures
Speakers

Radiotherapy - Benefits and Side Effects
Dr Farrok Karsan
Consultant, Radiation Oncologist

Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Dr Adnan Zaidi
Consultant, Medical Oncologist

Breast Cancer - Prevention and Future
Dr Shaista M Khan
Consultant, Breast Surgeon

A patients' perspective: Going through the experience together patient and her spouse


Patient

Panel Discussion and Q/A session
Dr Nehal Masood
Dr Adnan Zaidi
Dr Shaista M Khan
Dr Nadeem Abbasi
Dr Azmina Vali Mohammad


Mammogram will be performed ‘free of cost' for limited patients according to an established criterion.

For further details, please contact:
Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi
Tel: +92 21 348 2692

http://www.aku.edu/events/breast_cancer ... 2009.shtml

*****
Unpacking the Journey

Panel Discussion with Nizar Lalani and Njane Mugambi
Wednesday October 21
Lecture Hall 3 3-4 pm
Sounds of the Subcontinent
AKU Auditorium 4-6 pm

Nizar Lalani and Njane Mugambi are performing with a group of six musicians from Kenya and Pakistan for the AKU family in Karachi on Friday, 23rd of October 2009.

For those interested to get a glimpse behind the scenes, the musicians will discuss the challenges and possibilities of their encounter and the potential to extract models of musical interaction for educational
settings. They will also speak about the spiritual dimensions of their work in the context of a cross-cultural experience. A question and answer session will allow time for direct interaction.

The Panel Presentation will be immediately followed at 4 pm by
"Sounds of the Subcontinent" presented by the Faculty of Arts and
Sciences. This will provide the opportunity to explore the musical traditions
of two countries.

http://www.aku.edu/events/pdf/Unpacking ... _Njane.pdf

*****

Sounds of the Subcontinent: Theory vs. Oral Tradition



October 21, 2009

Aga Khan University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan invites you to a lecture and musical demonstration on Sounds of the Subcontinent: Theory vs. Oral Tradition on October 21, 2009.

Time and Venue
4:00 - 6:00 pm
AKU Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan

Programme

•Lecture on Ethnomusicology in South Asia - Theory vs. Oral Tradition by Dr Regula Burckhardt Qureshi University of Alberta, Canada

•Performance and Demonstration by Ms Saffia Saleem Beyg, Director, Sampurna
Artists: Gul Muhammad (on Sarangi), Hasan (on Tabla) and Turab Ali (on Sitar)
Admission is free and on first come first serve basis

For any further queries or information, please contact:
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Aga Khan University
Tel: +92 21 3 499 4350, 3498 5169 Ext. 114/208
Email: fas.academicplanning@aku.edu

http://www.aku.edu/events/sound_of_subc ... 2009.shtml
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Post by kmaherali »

‘A journey in sound’ begins with aplomb

Thursday, October 22, 2009
By our correspondent

Karachi

Agha Khan University’s Auditorium rocked with loud music as the first day of the festival “A journey in sound” began with aplomb and promise on Wednesday. Njane Mugambi from Kenya and Nizar Lalani from Pakistan took the audience on another level as they sang the dhamaal of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and mixed it with African music.

After the mind blowing performance, the duo sat together for a question-answer session with the audience in which they spoke about the value and importance of amalgamating education and music so that students also learn the cultural aspect of music and get a chance to show their multiple talents. “Not many people can define music in its truer form; neither can we, but it’s not as complicated as it’s made out to be,” Nizar Lalani said in an answer to a question.

Later in the day, an enthralling presentation was given by Dr Regula Burckhardt Qureshi on Ethnomusicology in South Asia, explaining that the only reason for people to connect, create and express music is love. “Love is the only way to connect people from all continents as it has the power to change thinking and lives. You don’t need to get into many definitions rather feel it and it will do the rest of the work for you,” she said. After the presentation, Safia Saleem Baig sang a raag by Ustad Hamid Hussain Khan. Before she began singing, she said, “Every Sur has an identity, just put a bit of love to it and it will come.”

Safia Saleem Baig is a self taught vocalist and instructor who has dedicated her life to the cause of preserving classical music in Pakistan. While introducing her fellow musicians, she said, “We are not from an organization rather we belong to Sampuran (a non-profit association) and will try and keep up your interest in our sort of music”.

This was quite an understatement by the vocalist as her raag was not only appreciated but she got a thundering applause from the audience as well. All in all it was a pleasant evening where people left their inhibitions and enjoyed themselves.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=204496
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Post by kmaherali »

Unrelenting desire for spiritual freedom through music

Friday, October 23, 2009
By By Saher Baloch

Karachi

Various literature and textbooks in the history have referred to music as the food for the soul. If the right chord touches the heart, it is said to soothe the mind and body of an individual, freeing them from all worries and stresses that are pent up inside. Nizar Lalani and Njane Mugambi are two people with a mission of accomplishing spiritual freedom through the music they create.

Lalani has 30 years experience of composing and producing music, and has worked with numerous celebrated artistes, including Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His partner Mugambi has had varied experiences in life - as an academic, a bandleader, and even a clarinetist. Mugambi has been combining music with academia for the past 15 years. The duo first came together after a performance in Cape Town, and thought of forming their band with musicians who shared the same wavelength, mentally and spiritually.

“For me, music is not about having a guitar in your hand and shouting out vocals. It is to infuse new ideas and feelings together to form a connection with the wide world outside,” Lalani said while talking to The News at the Aga Khan University’s sports complex.

“Music brings people together, but in our country, it seems to be least preferred despite the fact that our culture and heritage is full of musical history,” he said. Lalani claimed that there’s a need to have a proper music industry in Pakistan, as it would bring the best out of all artistes. “This would bring together the efforts of all, rather than each of us going our separate ways and being a bit scattered,” he said.

Mugambi explained that in a lot of countries, the prevalent thinking is that prioritizing music over economy would not be beneficial, but in fact, the converse is true. “America is the only country where they have a higher gross domestic product (GDP) and a booming entertainment industry at the same time, and that’s where they beat the pack.”

Agreeing with Mugambi, Lalani said that in Pakistan, interpretations of almost everything have been complicated and this thinking prevents many to think out of the box. “Look at where Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan reached. He was worshipped by many because he didn’t think about why and how he should expand his talent; he just did it and left an example to be followed by many.”

Both Lalani and Mugambi said that they want to reach out to the masses and continue working not just in Kenya and Pakistan but in as many countries they could and in places where they could absorb positive and spiritual energies. “If academically trained musicians and teachers come together, it would be quite good for everyone as music is the biggest de stressor of all times and can work wonders if done properly,” Lalani said.

The duo are currently performing at a music festival organized by the AKU, and Mugambi said that he wanted to see everyone dancing and enjoying themselves. “In any field, the fundamentals always remain the same. It is just the technique you apply that counts and makes a difference.”

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=204613
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Aga Khan University and University of California, San Francisco form Partnership to Help the Underprivileged

Related: UCSF Press Release

2 November 2009 — The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the Aga Khan University (AKU) signed a memorandum of understanding today to advance their common goal to promote equitable human advancement and social justice in the less privileged parts of the world.

The agreement was signed at the Capitol Building in Sacramento by Haile T Debas, MD, executive director of Global Health Sciences at UCSF, and AKU President Firoz Rasul, in the presence of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and Chancellor of AKU.

“This partnership strengthens UCSF’s mission to advance health worldwide by promoting the development of human resources for health,” said Debas at the signing ceremony. “AKU’s highly regarded, community-based nursing and medical education in Africa and Asia will enable UCSF to extend its commitment to working collaboratively to improve health and reduce disease around the world.”

The agreement will initially focus on the creation of integrated primary health care models across East Africa and Asia with an emphasis on the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality and morbidity. It also will include developing needed human resources for health through formal education programs and building the capacity of the community and health care providers to develop responsive health systems.

“Through the creation of integrated health care systems, we will be able to build midwifery / family medicine training programs that serve the needs of the community and open new opportunities in multidisciplinary research and policy advocacy,” said Dr El-Nasir Lalani, AKU Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.

This agreement builds on previous linkages between the two institutions in family medicine and midwifery. The current agreement could potentially grow to include other areas of the health sciences.

“With this partnership, the University of California, San Francisco’s internationally recognised expertise will be able to impact parts of the world that would not otherwise benefit from these capabilities,” stated AKU President Firoz Rasul. “Partnerships such as this one build capacity in the developing world where it is needed most, but more importantly, they enable innovation and the creation of knowledge across our globalising world.”



RELEASED JOINTLY BY AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY AND UCSF

For more information, please contact:

Kristen Bole, UCSF (415) 476-2557
E-mail: kbole@pubaff.ucsf.edu
Web: www.ucsf.edu

Temina Lalani-Shariff, Aga Khan University
Email: temina.lalanishariff@aku.edu
Web: www.aku.edu

Semin Abdulla
Secrétariat de Son Altesse l'Aga Khan
E-mail : Semin.abdulla@aiglemont.org

http://www.akdn.org/Content/864
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Post by kmaherali »

Pneumonia kills more children than measles, malaria, AIDS combined
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
By our correspondent

Karachi

Pneumonia kills more children who are less than five years of age than measles, malaria and AIDS combined, said Dr Ghaffar Billo, professor in the department of paediatrics and child health at Aga Khan University (AKU) during a seminar held on Monday at the AKU in connection with World Pneumonia Day.

Billo said that while the disease affects children and families everywhere in the world, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are the worst affected, as 98 per cent of infant deaths occur because of pneumonia in these regions. In Pakistan, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in every five cases of death among children is due to pneumonia, he said. He said that air borne droplets and indoor pollution caused by cooking and heating with bio-mass fuel such as wool, coal and dung are among the causes of this infection in children.

The doctor said that efforts and participation at the community level would bear no fruit unless the government does something about it. The most unfortunate thing is that even while having the resources for it, the government prefers not to do anything to prevent it,� he said.

National Immunization Technical Advisory Group Chairman Dr Tariq Bhutta did not agree with Billo�s assessment, and said that there is a large supply of vaccines for pneumonia available in the market, but most citizens dont come forward to get their kids vaccinated.

He said that the high price of the vaccines is one reason for common citizen�s reluctance, but most of the vaccines have now been included in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), adding that Pakistan was the first country in South Asia to introduce vaccine against Haemophilis Influenza B. Though the pneumococcal vaccine is currently available in Pakistan at Rs12,000 which is costly for poor people, the vaccine will be available free of cost at EPI centres around the country by January 1, 2011, Bhutta said.

Billo added that the protection of children since the day they are born is very important. Breast feeding in the first six months of life along with good nutrition and adequate hygiene can prevent many cases of pneumonia, he said.

AKU Paediatrics and Child Health Department Chairman Professor Iqtidar A. Khan emphasised the fact that new vaccines could only have their full effect on reducing pneumonia if parents, doctors, and every district health officer ensured that every child was administered the entire course of vaccines.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=206480

*****

World Diabetes Day


November 14, 2009

Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi is commemorating World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2009 to discuss the prevention, complications, best diet and treatment for diabetes.

Time and Venue
2:00 - 5:00 pm
AKU Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan

Topics


Speakers

Prevention of diabetes and its complications


Dr Najmul Islam, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

What is the best diet for diabetics?


Ms Faiza Shoaib, Clinical Nutritionist

Keep in touch with your diabetes


Ms Saira Suleman Hudani, Diabetes Nurse Educator

Treating diabetes – present and future


Dr Jaweed Akhter, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

Patients' Experiences




Panel Discussion




Dr Abdul Jabbar, Dr Naeem Ul Haque, Dr Qamar Masood, Dr Aisha Sheikh, Ms Noor Jehan Allana and Dr Romana Iqbal

Health Stalls from 2:00 – 3:00 pm

For further details, please contact:
Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi
Tel: +92 21 348 2696

http://www.aku.edu/events/world_diab_da ... 2009.shtml
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Post by kmaherali »

Graduation 2009
•Interns
•Residents
•Fellows
•Speech by Mr Firoz Rasul, President Aga Khan University

PGME Graduation Ceremony 2009

Aga Khan University (AKU) held its 15 th Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) graduation ceremony on November 7, 2009 at the Stadium Road campus, Karachi, Pakistan. The 146 graduates - 65 interns, 68 residents and 13 fellows – were from as diverse fields of specialisation as cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, neonatal paediatrics, neurosurgery and psychiatry among several others. Graduates, in their resplendent braided robes and the sirpoash (the academic cap), received their certificates from the University President Firoz Rasul and Ambassador Saidullah Khan Dehlavi, Chairman, AKU Board of Trustees. Dr Bo Lindblad, Professor Emeritus, International Child Health, Global Health Division, Department of Public Health, Karolinska Institutet and Professor Emeritus, Department of Paediatrics, Aga Khan University, was chief guest at the event.

Congratulating the graduates, President Firoz Rasul said that AKU's PGME programmes are the resource that produce highly qualified and superbly trained health professionals who help meet the health needs of the region. “Now you have opportunities to develop innovative medical technologies and practices that are culturally sensitive and contextually relevant,” he said. He hoped that graduates would be committed to taking the best practices learned at AKU out into the community, to be able to positively influence society.

Dr Lindblad emphasised the need for high quality and relevant research that could help make a difference to public health. “The importance of women's education and emancipation cannot be overated and needs your input to ensure health in the next generation,” he stressed. Safe motherhood and delivery and neonatal care, vaccinations, TB detection, prevention and care, improved water and sanitation facilities would make a difference to the health of populations. Relevant research would also help relieve several of the chronic ‘lifestyle' diseases that affect South Asia, like low birth weight, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes.

Speaking on behalf of all graduates, Dr Sunniya Javaid and Dr Munizeh Khan gave the valedictory speeches during the ceremony.

The PGME programme has graduated over 1,758 specialists to date and over 30 per cent of the University's clinical faculty includes its own PGME graduates

http://www.aku.edu/pgme/pgme-grad-09.shtml

******

Address by Mr Firoz Rasul
President, Aga Khan University

Bismillah-ir-rahman-ir-rahim

Chief Guest, Professor Bo Lindblad of the Karolinska Institute, Sweden and Professor Emeritus at AKU

Chairman of AKU's Board of Trustees – Ambassador Saidullah Khan Dehlavi and Mrs. Dehlavi

Trustees

Provost – Dr. William Doe

Dean of the Medical College – Dr. Farhat Abbas

Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education – Dr. Mumtaz Khan

Graduates, Proud Parents, and Distinguished Guests

Faculty and Staff of the Aga Khan University

As Salaam Walaikum and welcome to the Post Graduate Medical Education (PGME) Graduation Ceremony.

To the PGME Graduates – Well done! Your hard work and perseverance has enabled you to accomplish this milestone. To get to this point many of you have balanced multiple roles and we are proud of your dedication and success.

To all the families of the PGME Graduates – Thank you and congratulations. It is your support and encouragement that has enabled our PGME graduates to attain this goal. So let us take a moment to acknowledge your contributions to the successes we celebrate today.

Of course we must not forget to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of all the Programme Directors and Coordinators, faculty and staff – it is your tireless efforts that enable the success of not only the PGME programme as a whole but in particular – our graduates today. Also invaluable is the contribution to PGME by the respective section and department heads.

Today is an opportune time to reflect on the history of PGME at AKU. Postgraduate training programmes at AKU started in 1986 and the Department of Postgraduate Medical Education was established in 1995. Since then AKU's PGME programmes are the resource that produce quality academic faculty for the region.

Based on its success in Pakistan, the PGME programme was introduced in East Africa. Currently AKU runs 5 PGME programmes there: Anesthesiology, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Radiology, and Pathology. And we are adding to that mix by launching 3 more fellowship programmes in Pakistan: Neurovascular, Adult Infectious Diseases, and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.

The PGME model is also being introduced in Kabul which has proven to be a fertile ground for collaboration and capacity building enabling AKU to support quality health initiatives in the region.

In pursuit of this quality and excellence, AKU remains committed to the highest standards in education. This requires constant and consistent assessment, evaluation and appraisal so that improvements are identified and implemented.

As AKU's PGME Programme emulates global best practices to uphold our international standards – we are constantly reviewing internal processes to ensure quality. For example this year, we piloted end of the year examinations for all residents. From next year, the examination results will be analysed and evolve into criteria for promotion.

Another important quality measure has been the strengthening of the Intern induction process which has become more rigorous. This year for the first time candidates were required to undergo multiple mini interviews – a novel experience indeed and one that ensured higher quality admissions.

AKU is well aware that it is only by openly discussing challenges that we are able to move forward and remain at the forefront of academic postgraduate medical education programmes. And of course produce high quality specialists to serve the region.

We are indeed proud to have added substantial value and capacity to the health services in this region. Graduates to-date include: 927 Interns, 617 Residents, and 68 Fellows – a total of 1,612 health professionals.

The number of graduates this year is also significant: 65 Interns, 68 Residents, and 13 Fellows – resulting in 146 more well qualified and superbly trained health professionals to help meet the health needs of this region.

In fact two-thirds of all PGME graduates are working in Pakistan and one-third of all clinical faculty at AKU are graduates of our own PGME programmes. This year alone, almost 400 Interns, Residents and Fellows are on-board; all of whom are essential parts of the university and enable us to fulfill a key component of AKU's mission: to positively impact our society.

Postgraduate Medical Education remains a core function of AKU and has yielded significant influence on the practice and dissemination of academic medicine in Pakistan and the region.

As AKU graduates, you stand on the shoulders of others who have gone before you – and have contributed to the improvement of health care. Now you have opportunities to develop innovative medical technologies and practices that are culturally sensitive and contextually relevant.

As you have no doubt heard in your time here, AKU emphasizes the focus on continuous learning and growth. And AKU understands that growth is about getting better – not just getting bigger. So AKU is committed to helping you translate these innovations into ethical global best practices. We cannot grow without you – it is your expertise and intellect that help AKU remain the change agent and role model it has always been. As representatives of AKU, we hope that you will remain committed to taking the best practices learned here out into the community; and helping to advance the innovative spirit that epitomises AKU.

You are graduating from a pre-eminent institution for medical education and there are many who will depend on your leadership. The strength of leaders is their ability to engage and motivate those around them – so I urge you to use your knowledge judiciously and go bravely into the future to fulfill your dreams and ours.

Let me close with a quotation by His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor, the Aga Khan University, made during the Convocation Ceremonies in November, 2003:

“ The path we have chosen is not easy to chart – and it is certainly not risk free. But it is both a necessary and an exciting road – filled with the promise of high adventure. Even as our University moves on down such a path, so I hope will each of you … for wherever you go, this University also goes – we are inevitably a part of one another's future.”

Welcome to the AKU alumni family – I encourage you to stay connected to us and to remain focused on positively impacting the community here.

Once again, congratulations to you all.

Enjoy your day!

http://www.aku.edu/pgme/pgme-grad-speeches09-FR.shtml
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

KESC, AKU ink accord for grid station

KARACHI: The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and the Aga Khan University entered a joint venture by signing an agreement on Tuesday to establish a new 132-kilovolt shared grid station.

According to a press release issued by the KESC, the utility’s CEO Tabish Gauhar and Aga Khan University President Firoz Rasul signed the agreement.

The new grid station will allow a reliable supply of electricity to the Aga Khan University for the healthcare services they provide to the country. It will also cater to the future power need of the university and hospital that is expected to grow by 16 megawatts by the year 2022. He said that a task force comprising of professionals from KESC and AKUH will oversee, manage and implement the planning, designing, construction and completion of the grid station that will cost Rs 450 million, which both organisations will share equally. The grid will be commissioned in September 2011 and will relieve the overloaded grids of Civic Centre, Baloch Colony and Gulshan-e-Iqbal. It will also partially meet the requirement of future load growth in PECHS, Bahadurabad area, KDA Scheme-I and adjoining areas. staff report
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