President Sulaiman Shahabuddin has expressed commitment to enhancing student experience by giving students an opportunity to communicate their concerns. It will not only enable students to succeed, but also register their full potential throughout their course of study.

In his keynote address at a Change of Guard ceremony held by the Aga Khan University Students Association (AKUSA), Mr Shahabuddin reiterated the role of students as key stakeholders in the University’s growth. 

“My hope is that there will be close coordination and collaboration between the University and AKUSA leadership to promote high standards of scholarship, a high level of quality and a great teaching environment,” he said.

AKUSA is governed by a Students Executive Council and comprises of students from the Medical College, School of Nursing and Midwifery and Graduate School of Media and Communications. It provides students with an opportunity to actively engage directly in the governance, growth and development of the University. It was launched in November 2020.

“This is not only in interest of and commitment to our student body, but also a response to our regulatory requirement that requires students to organize themselves in groups and, of course, form part of the University leadership,” Powell Ochieng, Director, Student Experience and Associate Registrar, East Africa said. 

The outgoing Chair of the Students Executive Council, Dr Anthony Ochola said his team worked closely with the University administration to develop the processes that would ensure a smooth transition to new leadership. “We did not want a body which would advocate for rights in a political manner, but a body that provides a platform for students to grow and advance to the next level,” he said. 

Elections were held in October and the new leadership was sworn into office on November 12. The 12-member Students Executive Council and Congress will serve a one-year term, as outlined in the Student Association constitution.