Volunteers In Action
Three Canadian TKN health care professionals make key impact at AKHS Pakistan facilities
9 June 2022
Dilshad Ladhani, Dr Nasir Jaffer and Dr Alim Punja generously contributed their time and expertise recently at the Aga Khan Health Service,Pakistan’s (AKHS,P) health facilities in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Chitral. These dedicated TKN volunteers came at a time when AKHS,P is significantly expanding its footprint in GB and Chitral. New wings recently opened at the medical centres in Gilgit and Booni that include additional specialties and facilities. Diagnostic centers have started services in both regions and construction of a purpose built, modern facility to house the Aga Khan Health Centre,Aliabad, is in process. These are indeed exciting times for AKHS,P.
ELC programme reaches new heights
24 May 2022
Access to consistent and good quality English language learning in Central Asia and the Middle East is variable and, particularly in remote districts, finding qualified English language training is a major challenge. In response, the Jamati institutions launched the English Language Connections (ELC) programme, which is growing fast.
Amplifying the vision of the Aga Khan Academies
28 April 2022
In 2014, the Aga Khan Academies (AKA) needed a writer and editor to help communicate the broad vision of their work and impact in Africa and Asia. They turned to TKN volunteer Perviz Walji. Eight years later, Perviz’s dedicated and enthusiastic service is still helping to amplify the work of AKA.
What A Journey It Was
27 April 2022
Twelve Consultants, Four Continents, A University that serves four Central Asian Countries, and One Mission. In April 2021, recruitment began for a TKN assignment for the University of Central Asia. Twelve Finance Consultants were onboarded to embark on a memorable journey they will never forget. It was a unique initiative whereby within the University’s Finance Department, twelve highly successful professionals from around the world were recruited to serve remotely and fulfill their TKN Niyyah.
Bringing dental health services to Chitral
2 February 2022
Access to quality healthcare remains a major concern in the remote villages of Chitral, where people drive hours to access primary health care services. TKN volunteer Dr Ali Hussain Khan, founder and CEO of Noor Dental Clinic, took on the daunting task of providing for the region’s oral health care needs.
PCR testing and vaccinations come to Gilgit
20 December 2021
Acting swiftly in reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) in Pakistan set up six response centres in the north of the country. For the people in the region, the new medical facilities have played a vital role in keeping them safe and healthy.
Across Borders: Nurse leaders from five countries virtually mentor AKU students
27 October 2021
The Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing enjoys the privilege of being the first nursing school in Pakistan to be affiliated with a University. The School has grown tremendously over the past four decades, and after the launch of its midwifery programme in 2013, it was renamed the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM).
Dedicated volunteers play vital role in Covid-19 vaccination drive
14 September 2021
As some parts of the world begin to regain a semblance of normality after the Covid-19 outbreak, low and middle-income countries continue to battle against inadequate vaccine supply and vaccine hesitancy. In Pakistan, mass vaccination drives were organised by the Ismaili Council to increase immunity against Covid-19. The inoculation drives were led by a dedicated TKN taskforce comprised of health professionals, data scientists, designers, and volunteer stewards.
Agriculture Expert’s outstanding volunteer service
11 August 2021
Dedicated and committed volunteer Amir Kassam has served AKDN and Jamati institutions for over 40 years. During the late 1970s, Amir assisted the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) UK National Committee in its project evaluation work. More recently, he has focused on sharing his extensive knowledge of agricultural development with AKF Geneva and AKF field units in Mozambique, Syria, India, Tanzania, Madagascar and Tajikistan, and with AKDN rural support programmes in Africa and Asia.
Science has no boundaries at Aga Khan School in Osh
27 July 2021
Dr Sadru Damji, a TKN volunteer based in Toronto, Canada, recently led an interactive and exciting online chemistry class in May 2021 for a group of grade 11 students at the Aga Khan School in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
TKN volunteers make key contribution to AKU-ISMC’s ground-breaking KITAB Project
21 June 2021
For the past six years, the Aga Khan University-Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) has been breaking new ground in digital methods to study the written heritage of the Islamic tradition. At present, the University runs projects funded by the European Research Council and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation that involve building a collection of Arabic texts – now more than 2 billion words – and studying the relationships between books.
TKN Volunteer Helps Ensure UCA Thrives in Harsh Mountain Regions
27 May 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken many educational institutions to their core. Globally, over 1.5 billion students in 165 countries are out of school due to the pandemic, according to estimates by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
