The Aga Khan Academies (AKA) intends to build an Academy for talented young people in Tajikistan. This was announced at a meeting with the staff of IPD, GBAO by a representative of the working group for AKA market study, Mr. Seroj Parwani. According to him, 'the Academies will provide talented young people with the very best education possible to enable them to become ethical leaders with a pluralistic sensibility'. 'The core values of the Academies are pluralism, meritocracy, and civil society', noted Mr. Parwani. He also informed that the Academies are established as private institutions and thus tuition and fees will apply. However, admission will be based on merit and self-discipline, not on ability to pay.
The Academies will form a planned network and will collaborate with each other on curriculum development, professional development, and student and faculty exchanges. The planned network will include 7 countries in Africa: Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Mali; 3 countries in South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh; 3 countries in Central Asia: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan; and 1 country in the Middle East: Syria.
'The first Academy was opened in Mombasa, Kenya, in 2003, and its graduates are pursuing further studies in prestigious higher education institutions of Europe and the United States. To date, the foundation of the Academy in Hyderabad (India) was laid in a groundbreaking ceremony, and land has been secured in 5 additional locations for the purpose of building a network of residential schools', continued Mr. Parwani. 'The aim of our visit is to conduct a market study for building the Academies in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan', concluded he.