Developing liberal arts capacity: Prince Aga Khan’s quest for intellectual excellence
AKU to build new undergraduate Faculties of Arts and Sciences in Karachi and Arusha, Tanzania.
AKU to build new undergraduate Faculties of Arts and Sciences in Karachi and Arusha, Tanzania. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The great legacy of Islamic accomplishment in pursuing educational excellence had long been an inspiration to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.
And his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, was deeply aware of Islam’s rich intellectual heritage as well. “He was convinced of the enormous importance of higher education for the future of the Ummah around the world.”
He was addressing Aga Khan University’s 26th graduation ceremony held at its Karachi campus, which also marked the 30th anniversary of its foundation and the granting of its charter in 1983.
The Aga Khan spoke of how great intellectuals flourished during the time of the Fatimids in Cairo – where they found the al Azhar University and Darul Ilm – the Abbasids in Baghdad, the Ottomans and Mughal Emperor Akbar. “The most brilliant periods in Islamic history were marked by an expansive quest for intellectual excellence.”
He pointed out that all the educational institutions built during the peak of Islamic glory were all multi-disciplinary, which is what has inspired him to expand AKU and develop its liberal arts capacity. He announced that AKU is planning to build new undergraduate Faculties of Arts and Sciences, one in Karachi and one in Arusha, Tanzania.
“This new orientation will help prepare students for leadership in a world where the forces of civil society will play an increasingly pivotal role.”
The Aga Khan said that developing a liberal arts capacity will not only fulfil the university’s founding vision, but it will also follow in the tradition of the great Islamic universities of past centuries, and their effort to expand – and to integrate – a wide array of knowledge.
“The liberal arts, I believe, can provide an ideal context for fostering inter-disciplinary learning, nurturing critical thinking, inculcating ethical
values, and helping students to learn how to go on learning about our ever-evolving universe.”
While sharing his observations with the audience regarding the areas where the government has been ineffective or in post-conflict situations, the Aga Khan said civil society has demonstrated its potential value for maintaining, and even enhancing, the quality of human life.
He also announced the creation of seven new graduate professional schools across two continents that will work in fields of particular relevance to developing societies, including a School of Media and Communications and a School of Leadership and Management. “This is why we believe that an investment in liberal arts education is also an investment in strengthening civil society,” he explained. “These new graduate schools are exciting!” he said with a smile.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.
The great legacy of Islamic accomplishment in pursuing educational excellence had long been an inspiration to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.
And his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, was deeply aware of Islam’s rich intellectual heritage as well. “He was convinced of the enormous importance of higher education for the future of the Ummah around the world.”
He was addressing Aga Khan University’s 26th graduation ceremony held at its Karachi campus, which also marked the 30th anniversary of its foundation and the granting of its charter in 1983.
The Aga Khan spoke of how great intellectuals flourished during the time of the Fatimids in Cairo – where they found the al Azhar University and Darul Ilm – the Abbasids in Baghdad, the Ottomans and Mughal Emperor Akbar. “The most brilliant periods in Islamic history were marked by an expansive quest for intellectual excellence.”
He pointed out that all the educational institutions built during the peak of Islamic glory were all multi-disciplinary, which is what has inspired him to expand AKU and develop its liberal arts capacity. He announced that AKU is planning to build new undergraduate Faculties of Arts and Sciences, one in Karachi and one in Arusha, Tanzania.
“This new orientation will help prepare students for leadership in a world where the forces of civil society will play an increasingly pivotal role.”
The Aga Khan said that developing a liberal arts capacity will not only fulfil the university’s founding vision, but it will also follow in the tradition of the great Islamic universities of past centuries, and their effort to expand – and to integrate – a wide array of knowledge.
“The liberal arts, I believe, can provide an ideal context for fostering inter-disciplinary learning, nurturing critical thinking, inculcating ethical
values, and helping students to learn how to go on learning about our ever-evolving universe.”
While sharing his observations with the audience regarding the areas where the government has been ineffective or in post-conflict situations, the Aga Khan said civil society has demonstrated its potential value for maintaining, and even enhancing, the quality of human life.
He also announced the creation of seven new graduate professional schools across two continents that will work in fields of particular relevance to developing societies, including a School of Media and Communications and a School of Leadership and Management. “This is why we believe that an investment in liberal arts education is also an investment in strengthening civil society,” he explained. “These new graduate schools are exciting!” he said with a smile.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.