About Us
Our Mission
The Aga Khan University is a pioneering, not-for-profit, private university that works to improve quality of life in the developing world and beyond. AKU educates leaders who make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens, addresses widespread problems through its research and strives to serve as a role model that raises standards in the societies in which it works. We empower women and the disadvantaged, build support for pluralism and collaborate with government, local partners and world-renowned organizations to achieve shared goals.
AKU was founded in Pakistan in 1983 by its Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan. Starting in 2000, we established additional campuses in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, followed by Afghanistan and the United Kingdom.
In Uganda, our alumni hold key leadership positions in government, clinics, hospitals, schools, universities, government and other institutions. 45% of our recent Ugandan graduates work in the public sector. We admit students based on merit, not ability to pay. AKU heavily subsidizes its academic programmes and provides scholarships to 9 out of 10 of its students in East Africa.
AKU’s footprint in Uganda will grow substantially with the construction of a new Aga Khan University Hospital, Kampala. The hospital is AKU’s largest capital project in East Africa and will deliver care that meets international quality standards to Ugandans from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
The University is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the world’s largest private development organisations. AKDN’s roots in Uganda date back than a century, and its social, economic and cultural activities benefit hundreds of thousands of Ugandans every year.
"So the creation of the Aga Khan University Hospital in Uganda has a purpose not only in serving Uganda, but has the purpose of serving East Africa, and bringing knowledge and competence of sophisticated science on an ongoing basis."
His Highness the Aga Khan
