Aga Khan University (AKU) is an academic centre of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of development agencies, institutions, and programmes that work primarily in the developing parts of Asia and Africa. The common goal of the programmes is to create real and lasting improvement in the lives of the poor in ways that lead to self-reliance rather than dependence. To this end, the agencies encourage the communities themselves to identify and plan for their needs, whether it is a community health centre or a national programme for teacher training. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes irrespective of caste, creed or gender.

When appropriate, the agencies take an integrated approach, simultaneous addressing a broad spectrum of development issues in the social, economic and cultural contexts.

Social Development
The University works closely with the AKDN institutions that operate in social development. Aga Khan Foundation makes and administers grants for integrated, community based development solutions in rural development, health care, education and NGP enhancement. It works primarily in resource-poor  rural and mountainous areas. AKU works collaboratively with the Aga Khan Health Services,  which is one of the most comprehensive non-profit health care systems in the developing world, in the field of family health, speciality and sub-speciality services, maternity care, dental facilities and day care surgery. It employs low-cost technologies of proven effectiveness, such as immunisation, systematic  prenatal care and oral rehydration therapy as part of  primary health care programmes designed to reach the most vulnerable groups in society, especially child-bearing women and young children. More than 2 million people are served each year in its five hospitals and 325 health centres around the world. AKU also works on curriculum development, teacher training, and school-based nutrition programmes with Aga Khan Education Services, which operates over 300 schools and day care centres in the developing world. It places particular emphasis on the education of girls. Aga Khan Planning and Building Services works to improve housing design and construction, village planning, natural hazard management, environmental sanitation, water supplies, and other factors that impact living conditions.

Co-Chairs of the Commission for the Establishment of the University of Central Asia in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, former President of AKU and the Minister of Education of Tajikistan helped to found in 2000 an institution specialising in the education of mountain societies. The University of Central Asia, an internationally chartered university founded in 2000, is dedicated to developing solutions for particular challenges in the vast mountain regions of Central Asia. Based in Khorog, Tajikistan, with satellite campuses in the other two countries, the University will serve a population of 25 million people. Its medium of instruction, like that of AKU, will be English.

Economic Development
The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, with its affiliates, Tourism Promotion Services, Industrial Promotion Services and Financial Services, works to create economic development into a wider system of support covering the social and cultural fields. It emphasises the development of human resources, particularly management, technical, marketing and financial expertise. Its projects range from hydroelectric plants in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, hotels, micro-finance, to food processing in Africa.

Cultural Development
The  Aga Khan Trust for Culture co-ordinates the Network's cultural activities. Its programmes include The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (the prestigious prize given out every three years), the Historic Cities Support Programme and the Education and Culture Programme. Recent projects include the transformation of a 13-hectare site in historic Cairo into an urban park, the restoration of the Baltit Fort, a cultural landmark, in the Hunza valley of Pakistan.

An Ethic of Compassion
Inspiration for the creation of these institutions, some of which are over one hundred years old, derives from the Muslim ethic of compassion for the most vulnerable in society. AKDN institutions draw on the Ismaili community's traditions of philanthropy, volunteerism, self-help, education and social welfare. In every country these institutions work for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin, religion or political persuasion.

Sources of Funding
His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of AKU and the founder and chairman of the Board of Fund for Economic Development, Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Trust for Culture, provides funding for new programmes and country initiatives, and for some core activities. The Ismaili community contributes invaluable volunteer time, professional services, and substantial financial resources. Other funding sources include income from investments and grants from government, institutional and private sector partners, as well as donations from individuals around the world. In addition, His Highness actively promotes philanthropic activity and the channelling of profits from commercial undertakings in support of social development and culture in developing and developed countries.