The university graduates 461 students in the 38th convocation, of which almost 70% of the class is made up of women
Princess Zahra Aga Khan is officially appointed as the first Pro-Chancellor of the Aga Khan University Photo: aku.edu
Princess Zahra Aga Khan was officially appointed as the first pro-chancellor of the Aga Khan University (AKU) on Saturday, as the institution graduated 461 students from 18 degree programs at its 38th convocation ceremony in Pakistan.
As Pro-Chancellor, Princess Zahra will guide AKU in its continued efforts to improve the quality of life across the country.
“The geographical expansion of the university has seen AKU’s presence expand across Pakistan, into more cities and towns than ever before,” Princess Zahra said. “From Karachi to Matiari, from Lahore to Gilgit, the university’s healthcare professionals, educators and researchers are part of the social fabric of the population.”
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In his message, AKU Chancellor His Highness the Aga Khan emphasized that the university and its graduates bear “both an extraordinary responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity: to create, disseminate and apply knowledge in ways that improve the quality of human life.”
This year saw the graduation of the first cohort of the Institute for Educational Development’s Bachelor of Education program, which offers a rigorous blend of academic and field-based learning that prepares graduates to teach effectively in a variety of educational settings.
With nearly 70% female graduates, the university is actively addressing the gender gap in a country where millions of girls are out of school.
Valedictorian Muhammad Taha Nasim thanked AKU faculty, highlighting how they challenged graduates “to achieve our highest standards while teaching us that excellence without empathy is meaningless.”
AKU graduates fill significant workforce shortages. In a country where the nurse-to-population ratio is only 5.2 per 10,000 people, AKU alumni now hold high-level leadership positions in approximately 80 nursing and midwifery schools.
As of 2025, the university has secured more than $100 million in research funding. Across the university, 27 faculty members were ranked among the top two percent of scientists in the world in a study led by a Stanford University researcher.
“Pakistani youth are inclusive, comfortable across all faiths and perspectives, and aware that a divided society cannot address common challenges,” noted Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of AKU. “Digital savvy, they see technology not as a disruption but as an opportunity, to expand their knowledge, develop their skills and apply learning in a practical way. »
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To ensure that talented students with limited financial means can attend AKU, the university provides financial aid to a large portion of the student body. In the last academic year, 72% of students across all classes and programs in Pakistan received financial aid.
Noorish Khan, Syeda Tasmiya Moheyuddin, Dr Hamzah Jehanzeb and Sara Karim Sadruddin received the top graduate awards in their respective undergraduate programs in dental hygiene, education, medicine and nursing.
Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Founding President of AKU and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Asia, a sister university of AKU within the Aga Khan Development Network, was also present at the ceremony.
The university also presented awards of distinction to several faculty and staff, recognizing their sustained contributions to innovation, research and leadership. Distinguished Professor Mushtaq Ahmed has been awarded the President’s Medal, one of AKU’s highest honors, in recognition of his extraordinary service as a distinguished surgeon and academic leader.
