The spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, His Highness Karim Aga Khan IV, has said he is planning to build a second university in Tanzania.
He revealed the plans in talks with Vice President Ali Mohamed Shein in Dar es Salaam yesterday, saying the university would be built in Arusha and would be unique in Africa because it would provide training in `inimitable professions` only.
`We have acquired a plot and have set aside funds for the construction work. Plans are also under way to introduce a master`s degree and a PhD in medicine at the Aga Khan University in Dar es Salaam,` explained the Aga Khan, now on a five-day tour of Tanzania.
He said further that the Dar es Salaam-based already offers a master`s degree in public health, adding that both institutions would be keen on offering quality education and training.
During the talks, Dr Shein pleaded with the Imam to ensure that the universities place a premium on research centring on the diagnosis and treatment of commonly neglected tropical diseases `as a way of eradicating them once and for all`.
He praised the Aga Khan for the role he was playing in supporting the health, education and tourism sectors in Tanzania, adding: `We highly value the assistance you have been extending to us which has supplemented the government`s efforts towards bringing about development to our people.`
Responding to the appeal, the Aga Khan said that he subscribed to the recommendation and that the best way was to incorporate the diseases in medical research.
The Vice President also congratulated the Aga Khan on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the latter`s foundation, which he said had achieved an immense lot in improving the people`s well-being `through the funding of development projects in Tanzania and various other countries`.