Volunteers In Action
Building a sustainable future: Ashak Nathwani’s story
9 November 2020
In June 2017, when the Queen’s Birthday Honours’ List was announced, Ashak Nathwani received the highest public recognition when he was awarded Member of Order of Australia (AM) for his service to “the Ismaili community in Australia, sustainable design at tertiary level, and engineering.” For Ashak, an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Sydney, it has been a long journey. In the early 1970s, during the Ugandan crisis, Ashak found himself “stateless”. He arrived in Australia as a refugee with only 20 cents in his pocket. The rest, as they say, is history.
USA Nurse Practitioners serve on key TKN assignments in Afghanistan and Tajikistan
16 October 2020
FMIC Kabul, Afghanistan: Hafiza Ukani and Shireen Alwani (both Alumnae of Aga Khan University) travelled to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2016 for a TKN assignment with the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC). FMIC operates through an innovative four-way partnership between the Government of Afghanistan, the Government of France, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the French NGO, La Chaîne de l’Espoir. The Aga Khan University manages FMIC on behalf of AKDN.
TKN Volunteers in Pakistan playing a key role during COVID-19
21 August 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, AKDN agencies and our Jamati institutions in Pakistan are playing a crucial role in helping to fight this pandemic. Our healthcare professionals and front-line essential workers are working tirelessly to help the vulnerable in the Jamat and in the wider community.
TKN filmmaker communicates scale and impact of AKDN and Jamati programmes to a global audience
3 August 2020
On 11 July 2007, our worldwide Jamat witnessed for the first time Mawlana Hazar Imam’s live Golden Jubilee homage ceremony, when the Aiglemont media team telecasted this historic event globally. Karim Dossani was in Los Angeles at that time directing the local celebration event - a mere ensemble of five cameras and a skeletal crew of fifteen - his first major TKN assignment. “Why am I here and not there,” whispered a voice fleetingly from his heart to his mind.
Women’s Health Physiotherapist delivers comprehensive training program at Aga Khan University Hospital
11 June 2020
Yasmin Jumabhai Ransome, a TKN volunteer from the United Kingdom, conducted an in-depth three-week training and certification program, focusing on women’s health rehabilitation, at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Pakistan in November and December 2017.
UK Watershed Management expert undertakes comprehensive progress review of key AKF Tajikistan project
8 April 2020
Shiraz Billing, a watershed management expert from the United Kingdom, served on a TKN assignment with Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Tajikistan in December 2019 and January 2020. Shiraz supported and advised AKF in its management of the “Improving Livelihoods and Food Security through Sustainable Natural Resources Management Project” in the Upper Zarafshan River Basin in Sughd Viloyat, Tajikistan. This major project is jointly funded by the European Commission (80%) and 20% by Aga Khan Foundation and other consortium partners.
American professor helps improve quality of life globally
19 February 2020
Over the last ten years, several Jamati institutions have moved to a far more sophisticated, evidence-driven process for long-term planning for the Jamat. This is in no small part due to the tremendous efforts by a business school professor from Florida and a lot of trust placed in her by Jamati leaders. During this time, Dr Seema Pissaris, Clinical Professor of Management at Florida International University’s College of Business, has partnered with Ismaili Councils around the world to use research driven intelligence to improve the quality of life for families.
Vancouver couple plays key role in helping to establish palliative care at Aga Khan University
14 January 2020
Over the last two and a half years, a husband and wife team from Vancouver, Canada, have helped to establish the palliative programme at the Aga Khan University (AKU) Hospital in Karachi. Through onsite visits, numerous remote conferences, and ongoing correspondence with the local team, the couple were able to set up a sustainable, long-term programme, the first of its kind in Pakistan.
TKN First Aid Trainer makes major impact in Red Cross certification and building local capacity
9 December 2019
Over the last decade, Vancouver-based Iqbal Lalany has served on several TKN assignments to provide extensive medical response training in areas that need it most. In 2011, Iqbal received a call from Dr Firoz Verjee, then Coordinator of the AKDN’s Disaster Risk Management Initiative (DRMI). Iqbal was asked if he could deliver First Aid training for six weeks, a challenge he graciously accepted. At the time, although Iqbal was working for Scouts Canada, he was fortunate to take four weeks of vacation time and a two-week leave of absence, (approved by Alamin Pirani, Scouts Canada’s Executive Director) so Iqbal could serve on this TKN assignment.
TKN Event Manager oversees execution of leading technology conference in Central Asia
4 November 2019
In October 2019, a technology conference entitled Digital Transformation in Central Asia, became the biggest event of its kind in the history of the region. Hosted by the University of Central Asia (UCA), in partnership with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the three-day event featured 25 speakers from 12 countries and focused on three areas – digital transformation in government, cyber security, and emerging technology in the education sector.
Building the Aga Khan Museum from the Ground Up
1 October 2019
The Aga Khan Museum (AKM) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and, within such a short period, it has become a global hub for education, cultural connections, creativity and innovation. Located in the heart of Toronto (Canada), AKM offers each of its visitors the opportunity to enter and gain new insights into the rich world of the arts and culture of Islamic civilizations. With the mission of connecting cultures and building bridges, the Museum aims at changing minds and perceptions by positioning itself as a thought leader and an educator without walls.
International health care professionals contribute to establishment of AKMC, Khorog
11 September 2019
The Aga Khan Health Service, Tajikistan (AKHS, T) recently established the Aga Khan Medical Centre, Khorog (AKMC, K) as a private, not-for-profit hospital, offering high quality health care to the community. It began operations in December 2018, providing outpatient care, diagnostics and physiotherapy services. In April 2019, the hospital expanded its offerings to include inpatient, as well as emergency management services. The first phase of this expansion is supported with 48 beds and a provision for future growth, as needed. AKMC, K complements and supports the Government of Tajikistan's efforts to provide quality diagnostic and treatment services not currently available at the 450-bed Khorog Oblast General Hospital.
