Dr Rozmeen Shivji, a distinguished alumna of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM), has generously established a scholarship endowment to support students enrolled in the doctoral, master's, and advanced nurse practitioner programmes at her alma mater.
“My professional journey at AKU, as a student, so many years ago had changed the course of my life for betterment, therefore, I feel humbled to be able to contribute to someone else's life, with the hope and dream to contribute positively to the healthcare landscape and perception of the nursing profession in Pakistan," said Dr Rozmeen Shivji.
“Dr Shivji's gift exemplifies the spirit of alumni giving back to AKU and Pakistan. It will enable us to support nurses who are pursuing graduate studies in the profession. Generous support of our donors and alumni is paramount in achieving our goal of transforming and advancing nursing education and practice in Pakistan," said Dr Salimah Walani, dean of AKU-SONAM, at the signing ceremony
An alumna of SONAM's BScN Class of 1999, Dr Shivji is currently an assistant professor in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Doctor of Nursing Practice Programme at RUSH College of Nursing in Chicago, USA. She has had an illustrious career spanning over 15 years as a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She currently practices at the University of Chicago in the Lung Transplant Service and has extensive experience in diverse settings including the Medical Intensive Care Unit, Lung Transplant, Neuro-Interventional Radiology, and Leukemia. Her commitment to education has taken her around the world, teaching critical care medicine and nursing in Africa and South Asia.
In addition to her clinical and teaching roles, Dr Shivji is actively involved in research focused on the growth and development of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) role, global health, rapid response systems, and the use of high-fidelity simulation in education. She is currently contributing to efforts in the development of the APN role in Pakistan, including conducting a mixed-method study to assess the perceptions and knowledge of Pakistani nurses regarding this emerging role.
This endowment marks a significant milestone in AKU-SONAM's mission to advance higher education in nursing in Pakistan, ensuring that bright and deserving students are empowered to achieve their academic aspirations, particularly in nursing clinical practice.
