In an announcement on Pakistan’s Independence Day, President Asif Ali Zardari awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz to Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, Aga Khan University’s (AKU) President and Vice-Chancellor for his contributions to the advancement of education and quality of life in Pakistan.
The Sitara-i-Imtiaz is the third-highest civilian honour in Pakistan and is conferred by the President of Pakistan to recognize individuals for their exceptional contributions in various fields, including the arts, literature, sports, science, and social services. The award aims to honor those who have made significant achievements that contribute to the progress and development of the country. Dr Shahabuddin will be conferred the award at an investiture ceremony in Islamabad on March 23, 2025.
Since his appointment by His Highness the Aga Khan as President of AKU, the University has achieved remarkable growth, making significant contributions to education, research, and healthcare in Pakistan. This impact has positively affected millions of lives, positioning AKU as a beacon of excellence. During President Shahabuddin’s tenure, AKU has witnessed an increase in the number of students and fellows, and impact in research, education, and policymaking. Under Dr. Shahabuddin’s leadership, AKU has achieved the top position in Pakistan for research, evidenced by the prolific publication of highly cited studies on an international scale. The University is globally acknowledged for its academic prowess.
During crises such as the catastrophic 2022 floods, Dr. Shahabuddin’s supervision played a pivotal role. AKU, under his guidance, provided essential health, education and humanitarian assistance in flood camps to scores of affected individuals.
In only the first two years of his tenure as President, Dr Shahabuddin has forged a number of key international and local partnerships, including with Michigan University and the University of Washington in USA, McMaster University in Canada, Maynooth University in Ireland, University of Dar es Salaam, the Institute of Business Administration in Pakistan, and many others. These partnerships sustain AKU’s innovation and quality in research and education.
In addition, AKU is also celebrating Aniqa Bano, an alumna of AKU’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) for being awarded the Pride of Pakistan by the country’s President. After joining AKU-IED and facing the challenges of raising a daughter with a hearing impairment, Aniqa, along with her husband Afzal Rasool, co-founded the Narjis Khatoon Hearing Impairment School. She also serves as an instructor at the Government College of Education for Women in Skardu, exemplifying her dedication to education and support for differently abled children.
Since 2014, eleven faculty members at AKU have received national awards. They include AKU’s first President Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha; Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta, Founder of AKU’s Institute for Global Health and Development and the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health among many others.