McMaster Hosts a Delegation from the Aga Khan Schools

On August 4, 2024, McMaster’s Office of International Affairs hosted a delegation from the Aga Khan Schools (AKS), which represents a comprehensive network of 200 educational institutions, over 100 non-formal education centers, and seven hostels and integrates the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) and the Aga Khan Academies (AKA). 

AKES stands as one of the largest private, non-profit, non-denominational pre-tertiary education networks, while AKA comprises an international collection of non-denominational, co-educational residential schools. Together, they strive to deliver high-quality education to students in the Global South, fostering the development of future leaders capable of making a positive impact within their communities.  

The AKS delegation met with Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh, Vice Provost for International Affairs; Candy Hui, Senior Associate Registrar for Recruitment; Lori Goff, Director of the MacPherson Institute; Dr. Benson Honig, McMaster’s Global Ambassador and Business Research Chair in Social Entrepreneurship and Director of the CRCE; co-founder of Reframery at the DeGroote School of Business; as well as Paul Leegsma, Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects, May Zhai, Program Manager and Ms. Tania Hakim, Project Officer, all from Office of International Affairs. 

The objectives of the visit included discussions on the possibility of enrollment access for students from Aga Khan Schools at McMaster University, establishing dedicated scholarship agreements for those in greatest need; explore collaborative initiatives in teacher training and professional development, with the aim of enhancing academic partnerships and fostering cross-cultural understanding; and program development for teacher and student exchanges, including internships.  

McMaster University and the Aga Khan University (AKU) has a long history of cooperation and collaboration that span over 40 years, initially starting with McMaster’s support to launch AKU’s School of Nursing I Pakistan – and since grown to include campuses in Afghanistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the United Kingdom.  On May 29, 2024, a new MOU was signed between McMaster and AKU. On October 3, 2024, McMaster will welcome a high-level delegation from AKU to explore further collaborations and projects with McMaster University.