Aga Khan University

#WHSNairobi2026 Day 2 Recap: Discussions on strengthening Africa’s health systems at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting continued as the summit entered its second day, with leaders, innovators and changemakers sharing ideas, experiences, and practical solutions to strengthen health systems across the continent and beyond. There was a strong call for deeper collaboration, focused on building solutions grounded in local realities, and as the summit enters its final day tomorrow, we look forward to continued dialogue, shared learning and practical solutions to strengthen health systems across Africa and beyond. #WHSRMNairobi2026 @AfricaCDC @WHOAFRO @MOH_Kenya @WorldHealthSmt

From refining research ideas to developing competitive grant proposals, the second cohort of AKU’s Research Initiative for Scholars Excellence (RISE) Programme has completed a transformative year-long journey of mentorship, collaboration, and leadership development. Bringing together early-career researchers from Pakistan and East Africa, the programme is helping shape the next generation of scholars equipped to tackle pressing health challenges through impactful research. As Cohort 2 concludes, 70% of RISERs have already applied for extramural funding, an encouraging sign of the programme’s growing impact on AKU’s research culture. Read more about the programme, the closing retreat, and how RISE is empowering future research leaders: aku.edu/news/Pages/New… #AKUResearch #ResearchExcellence

A new chapter in interdisciplinary collaboration begins as Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and AKU sign a landmark MoU to advance research, innovation, education, and public engagement around some of the country’s most pressing development challenges. The MoU was signed by AKU Provost, Dr. Tania Bubela, and LUMS Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ali Cheema, in the presence of LUMS Rector, Mr. Shahid Hussain, AKU Vice Provost Research, Dr. Salim Virani and Dr. Farid Panjwani, Dean of AKU’s Institute for Educational Development, PK. This five-year partnership brings together AKU’s strengths in health sciences, medicine, public health and implementation research with LUMS’ expertise in technology, data science, social sciences, public policy, economics and governance. Together, the two institutions will work on evidence-based solutions in areas including climate resilience, environmental health, antimicrobial resistance, mental health, maternal and child health, AI for public good, education, sustainability and inclusive development. Through joint research, academic collaboration, experiential learning, and engagement with policymakers, practitioners, civil society, and industry, the partnership aims to create meaningful impact for communities in Pakistan and beyond. More: aku.edu/news/Pages/New…

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗞𝗨 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 (𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 – 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 The Aga Khan University campus in Karachi welcomes students from across Pakistan to an 11-day programme designed to inspire, challenge, and enrich students through immersive learning, collaboration, and engaging discussions beyond the classroom. Candidates following any national system of education in Pakistan including the AKU Examination Board, are eligible to apply. Application Deadline: June 07, 2026 🌐 Learn more and apply now: aku.edu/registrar/Page… 📞Contact: +92 21 3486 5533 | +92 21 3486 5140 | aku.challenge@aku.edu

From AI-powered tuberculosis diagnosis and maternal health prediction models to digital innovation in education and cancer care, the AKU Global Research Showcase brought together researchers, students, and global experts exploring how Artificial Intelligence and Digital Intelligence can drive meaningful impact across health, education, and development. The event featured lightning presentations from across AKU’s global network, a keynote by Dr Ravi Pendse of the University of Michigan, the launch of AKU’s first Digital Innovation Mapping Report, and important conversations on ethics, governance, and responsible AI. As Professor Salim Virani shared, the true value of AI lies not simply in technological advancement, but in how responsibly it is applied to improve quality of life and give hope to the communities we serve. Read the full story: aku.edu/news/Pages/New… @ResearchAKU #AKU #AKUResearch #AIinResearch #DigitalIntelligence #ResearchForImpact

Big news from AKU Tanzania. A renowned Maasai elder is now officially part of the university faculty. Alais Ole-Morindat has been appointed as Adjunct Faculty at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) of the Aga Khan University, with his academic home at the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (AKU-ACER) in Arusha. This marks a historic first for the university. For many years, Alais has taught Tanzanian and international students valuable lessons on Maasai culture, environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and community life through our field schools. He now continues this important work in a formal academic role. Congratulations, Alais Ole-Morindat. Your knowledge and wisdom will inspire many. Learn more at aku.edu/news/Pages/New…

How can AI and Digital Intelligence help improve lives across health, education, and development? In this special message, Professor Salim Virani, Vice Provost, Research at AKU, invites you to join the AKU Global Research Showcase, a dynamic event bringing together researchers, students, and experts from across AKU’s global network. From AI-powered disease diagnosis and maternal health innovations to digital learning and ethical AI governance, the Showcase will explore how responsible, human-centred AI can drive meaningful real-world impact. The programme features: • Lightning presentations by AKU faculty and students • A keynote address by Dr Ravi Pendse, University of Michigan • A panel discussion on AI, ethics, governance, and impact 🔗 Register now: ow.ly/tjST50YUsOm @ResearchAKU #AKU #AKUResearch #AIinResearch #DigitalIntelligence #ResearchForImpact

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 – Hurry and apply now to our undergraduate programmes in Pakistan. Medical College: 👉Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) 👉Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene (ASDH) School of Nursing and Midwifery: 👉Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Apply by May 13, 2026. aku.edu/admissionspk 📧 admissions.query@aku.edu | 📞+92 21 3486 6462 #AKUAdmissions #AKUMC #AKUSONAM

Come see how AKU faculty and students are using AI and Digital Intelligence to tackle real-world challenges across health, education, and development. At the AKU Global Research Showcase, presenters from across our global network will share innovative research on topics including AI-powered cough analysis for respiratory disease diagnosis, machine learning for maternal and child health, digital twins in cancer care, AI in nursing education, large-scale transcription technologies, and AI-assisted 3D learning in mathematics classrooms. These lightning talks highlight how AI-enabled research is helping create scalable, contextually relevant solutions for low- and middle-income settings. @ResearchAKU 📅 May 19, 2026 📍 AKU Auditorium, Karachi & Online 🔗 Register now: ow.ly/tjST50YUsOm

How do you move from the mountains of Gilgit to the global stage? For Kiran, it started with a simple goal: making sure community voices weren’t ignored. Even before joining AKU, Kiran was working as a consultant in the humanitarian sector. But to truly break the “glass ceilings” in her path, she knew she needed a different kind of armour. Through AKU’s Women Leadership Academy (WLA) and her studies at @AKUISMC , she gained the global perspective she was looking for. Today, she’s helping to redesign systems that actually serve people on the ground. “Making your voice heard at the right table is a war in itself,” Kiran says. She’s winning that war. Read her full story at: aku.edu/news/Pages/New… #AKUAlumni #WomenatAKU

𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁 – Hurry and apply now to our undergraduate programmes in Pakistan. Medical College: 👉 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) 👉 Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene (ASDH) School of Nursing and Midwifery: 👉 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Apply by May 13, 2026. aku.edu/admissionspk 📧 admissions.query@aku.edu | 📞 +92 21 3486 6462 #AKUAdmissions #AKUMC #AKUSONAM

At AKU, we have always believed that great healthcare is driven not only by advancing technology, but by the extraordinary people behind it. From our first academic nursing programme in Pakistan to our expanding presence in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, our purpose remains constant: to prepare nurses and midwives not just to work in health care, but to lead it. Read the full message from AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin on International Nurses and Midwives Month here: linkedin.com/posts/dr-sulai… #InternationalNursesDay #IND2026 #ThankYouNurses #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife #IDM2026 #AKUSONAM

What does it take to ensure AI in research is not only innovative but ethical, secure, and impactful? Join us for a thought-provoking panel at the AKU Global Research Showcase: Harnessing AI and Digital Intelligence for Impact, featuring leading voices from academia, healthcare, and digital innovation. From tackling bias and strengthening data governance to bridging the gap between AI research and real-world impact, this panel will explore the opportunities and responsibilities shaping the future of AI and digital intelligence in research. 📅 May 19, 2026 📍 AKU Auditorium, Karachi & Online 🔗 Register now: ow.ly/tjST50YUsOm @ResearchAKU #AKU #AKUResearch #AIinResearch #DigitalIntelligence #ResearchForImpact

Last week, we joined World Health🏥 Summit Regional Meeting 2026, organised by Ministry of Health, Kenya ,@AfricaCDC @JoepLangeInst @AKUGlobal @WHO to discuss on practical ways to fund stronger, sustainable health systems in the context of Global Health Architecture reforms.

We congratulate our BScM student, Midwife Anitha from Tanzania, for representing young Tanzanian midwives at a high-level discussion in Kigali organized by AUDA-NEPAD in collaboration with ECSACONM, focusing on the future of nursing and midwifery in the region. We are proud to see our students leading conversations on international platforms and carrying the spirit of the profession beyond borders. Congratulations, Anitha!

Register for our upcoming webinar and hear what the UZIMA Data Science Study reveals about the mental health of Kenyan university students, and what can be done to better support them. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰➡️ aku-edu.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Aga Khan University welcomed a high-level delegation of senior civil servants from Bangladesh as part of the Executive Development Programme under the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor initiative. The delegation, comprising senior officials from the Government of Bangladesh, visited AKU’s Karachi campus as part of their study tour on “Strategic Leadership, Governance Systems, and Policy Innovation”, organised by the Civil Services Academy, Lahore. During the visit, participants engaged with AKU representatives on best practices in medical education, healthcare delivery, and institutional management. The session provided an opportunity to share insights into internationally recognised standards in healthcare systems and service delivery, and to exchange perspectives on strengthening institutional excellence. The delegation also acknowledged the work of the Aga Khan Development Network across the globe, including its contributions in Bangladesh. AKU values such engagements that foster knowledge exchange and contribute to strengthening regional collaboration in higher education and healthcare.