Tanzania gives charter for Aga Khan University

President Jakaya Kikwete with the Aga Khan at State House in Dar es Salaam on February 23, 2015. PHOTO | EMMNAUEL HERMAN | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The granting of the charter, Mr Kikwete said, opened a new chapter in improving the efforts made by the Aga Khan Foundation and the government of Tanzania to boost the lives of residents.
  • The Aga Khan said that for Tanzania to make progress in its endeavours to improve the well-being of its people, it is important for the country to have higher education programmes for people who are in employment.
  • Earlier, the minister for Education and Vocational Training Dr Shukuru Kawambwa said the Aga Khan University had met all requirements.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete on Monday granted a charter to the Aga Khan University — making it the first foreign institution of higher learning in the country.

Mr Kikwete handed the certificate to the Aga Khan at a ceremony held at State House in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

The Head of State said that for years, the Government of Tanzania has enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Aga Khan Foundation—that runs the university and other Aga Khan projects in the country— and added that there is room to do more for mutual benefit.

The granting of the charter, Mr Kikwete said, opened a new chapter in improving the efforts made by the Aga Khan Foundation and the government of Tanzania to boost the lives of residents.

However, he stressed, that the charter was not just dished out to the institution, but rather, it is a well-deserved achievement.

“We have granted this charter because of the confidence we have in the Aga Khan University. I have no doubt that the institution would live up to the expectations of all of us,” Mr Kikwete said.

His Highness the Aga Khan receives the AKU Charter from Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete at State House. This is the first time first time such recognition has been accorded to a foreign-based institution of higher learning. PHOTO | Z. RAMJI | AKDN

In his speech, the Aga Khan said the charter is of immense importance to the university.

“We reached the decision after realising that there is a need to invest in human resources here, especially in the areas of health and education,” he said.

The Aga Khan added that for Tanzania to make progress in its endeavours to improve the well-being of its people, it is important for the country to have higher education programmes for people who are in employment. He revealed that the university has lined up nine postgraduate programmes that have been identified to suit Tanzania’s needs.

Earlier, the minister for Education and Vocational Training Dr Shukuru Kawambwa said the Aga Khan University had met all requirements.

The Tanzania Commission for Universities Executive Secretary Yunus Mgaya said the university would play a crucial role in developing human resources.