His Highness the Aga Khan commends Kenya’s economic growth

Nairobi, August 13, 2007

President Mwai Kibaki congratulates His Highness the Aga Khan after bestowing him with Chief of the Golden Heart, the highest Kenyan award during a state banquet in his honour at State House, Nairobi.

His Highness the Aga Khan commends Kenya’s economic growth

His Highness the Aga Khan has commended Kenya for achieving an impressive economic growth in the last three years, with the GDP expected to reach 6.9 % this year.

The Aga Khan noted that during same period, there has been a significant inflow of foreign investment and a massive investment in education, health care and infrastructure.

Referring to a new global opinion survey published by the Pew Institute and the New York Times three weeks ago, His Highness the Aga Khan said Kenyans had a reason to be optimistic about their future and that of their children as President Kibaki had transformed the country for the better.

“Those who know Kenya know that there are good reasons for this hopeful spirit,” His Highness the Aga Khan said.

His Highness the Aga Khan was speaking this evening during a state banquet hosted in his honour by President Kibaki and First Lady Mrs. Lucy Kibaki at State House Nairobi.

He noted that Kenya has one of the highest per capita literacy rates in Africa and is determined to make democracy work.

“Kenya has one of the highest per capita literacy rates in Africa and is determined to make democracy work,” said His Highness the Aga Khan.

His Highness the Aga Khan added that the Kenya Government has created an enabling environment for vibrant enterprise in fields such as agriculture and horticulture, tourism and finance.

“In fact, at a recent World Economic Forum, Kenya was ranked among the top three countries in Africa in welcoming investment and innovation,” the Aga Khan said.

In this regard, His Highness the Aga Khan, who is celebrating his Golden Jubilee, said he would be announcing this week a number of new Golden Jubilee projects that will build on past Aga Khan Development Network’s activities in Kenya to reflect the respect and affection he has for the Kenyan people.

Said His Highness the Aga Khan: “These investments will build on past AKDN activities here – in the fields of business and finance, the media, health care, education, transport, infrastructure investment – and others.”

Speaking during the state banquet, President Kibaki noted that the Ismaili community has been an important partner in the Government’s quest for social and economic development in Kenya.

The President said the energy and resources that the community has continued to deploy in various fields of development, including health, education, business and investments have immensely benefited wananchi and the country.

In this connection, the President commended and thanked the Ismaili community for their continued commitment to the social and economic development of the country.

“We value your contribution and look forward to even stronger bonds in the years ahead,” the Head of State said.

He, particularly, applauded the good work of the Aga Khan Development Network in the health sector, saying through the Aga Khan Health Services, the institution is playing an important role in the provision of quality healthcare services to Kenyans.

President Kibaki pointed out that the hospitals also provide employment to over 1,800 people, adding that the Aga Khan University hospital is the first University hospital in the region.

Said President Kibaki: “The Aga Khan University hospital offers high quality medical training to the students. I am glad to note that the hospital has trained over 4,500 community health workers.”

On the education front, President Kibaki saluted the immense contribution of the Aga Khan Education Services in the education sector, saying with thirteen schools and over six thousand students, the Aga Khan education services have continued to impact positively on the lives of many Kenyans.

He expressed optimism that the Aga Khan Education Services will consider the possibility of extending their services to the less affluent areas of the country, including the arid and semi arid areas as well as the poorer urban settings.

In this connection, President Kibaki assured His Highness the Aga Khan of the Kenya Government’s unwavering support as he continues to advance the vision and objectives of his operations in Kenya.

The President said that his Government has over the last four and half years implemented a wide range of policy, legal and institutional reforms aimed at facilitating both business and charitable organizations to carry out their work efficiently and without hindrance throughout the country.

With respect to the investment climate, President Kibaki observed that Kenya is today one of the easiest and best countries in which to do business.

“Indeed, as a result of the reforms we have implemented, our country was given an impressive rating of B+ by Standard and Poors, which is one of the most reputable rating agencies in the world,” the President noted.

Saying the spirit of inclusiveness is one of the cornerstones of his social and economic philosophy, President Kibaki said his Government is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans enjoy the benefits of the improved economic performance.

Accordingly, the President said the Government has implemented the programme of Free Primary Education that has given hope to millions of children from poor families who are now assured of accessing basic education.

He added that starting next year, the Government is taking another bold step by waiving tuition fees in all public secondary schools.

“This measure, together with the existing bursary scheme in support of children from poor families, will ensure that all children have access to secondary education,” President Kibaki said.

Furthermore, President Kibaki said the Government has introduced several devolved funds, which are being channelled directly to the communities in all parts of the country.

He said he was personally encouraged by the enormous positive impact the Government has made in the lives of the Kenyan people over the last four and a half years.

In order to address emerging challenges, President Kibaki said his Government is formulating a new economic blueprint, the VISION TWENTY THIRTY, that spells out the strategies it will be deploying over the next five years and beyond to achieve even higher levels of social and economic development.

“We envisage the Kenya VISION TWENTY THIRTY to be an all-inclusive strategic plan that will transform our country into a middle-income economy,” the Head of State said.

He appealed to Kenyans to remain focussed on consolidating the gains the country has made in order to succeed in achieving the goals set under the Kenya VISION TWENTY THIRTY.

In recognition of His Highness the Aga Khan’s dedicated service to the people of Kenya through the various organisations which he leads, President Kibaki bestowed upon him Kenya’s highest medal of honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.), and encouraged him to continue with his excellent work of advancing social and economic progress in Kenya.

The President wished His Highness the Aga Khan good health, and a long and prosperous life as he celebrates his Golden Jubilee.

Source: http://statehousekenya.go.ke/news/august07/2007140801.htm

His Highness The Aga Khan Meets with His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki at State House, Nairobi, Kenya

His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan to State House in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki and His Highness the Aga Khan at State House. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki, His Highness the Aga Khan and Stanley Murage, Presidential Advisor, in discussion at State House. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki in conversation with His Highness the Aga Khan, members of government, leaders of the AKDN and the Ismaili community at State House. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki, His Highness the Aga Khan, together with members of government, leaders of the AKDN and the Ismaili community at State House. Photo credit: Gary Otte

Source: http://www.akdn.org/news/2007Aug13_photos.html

Aga Khan University Announces the Faculty of Health Sciences in East Africa

His Highness the Aga Khan being welcomed by Ambassador Saidullah Khan Dehlavi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Aga Khan University. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Highness the Aga Khan with President of the Aga Khan University, Firoz Rasul and CEO of the Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, Asmita Gillani. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Highness the Aga Khan and Professor George Saitoti, Kenyan Minister for Education at the ceremony which marked the launch of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Aga Khan University. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Highness the Aga Khan speaking at the launch of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Aga Khan University. Photo credit: Gary Otte

His Highness the Aga Khan and Professor George Saitoti, Kenyan Minister for Education unveil a plaque to commemorate the launch of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Photo credit: Zahir Daya

His Highness the Aga Khan and Professor George Saitoti with the architect of the new Faculty of Health Sciences, Farouk Noormohamed reviewing artists renderings of the new Faculty. Photo credit: Gary Otte

Source: http://www.akdn.org/news/2007Aug13_aku.htm

Aga Khan varsity launches school of health sciences

Aga Khan varsity launches school of health sciences Story by JEFF OTIENO Publication Date: 8/14/2007

The Aga Khan University Hospital’s faculty of health sciences  was inaugurated in Nairobi yesterday. It is the first of a series of projects, aimed at developing the region, to be initiated by the Aga Khan during his visit to East Africa as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations as the spiritual leader of  Ismaili Muslims. The project makes Aga Khan University the first private university in eastern Africa to  have a fully-fledged faculty of health sciences offering under-graduate and post-graduate degrees in medicine, nursing and allied health sciences. It  is part of a $250 million  (Sh17.5 billion) investment at the institution, spanning a period of  15 years, and will host some 1,000 students and 175 faculty members once completed. The Aga Khan said the new facilities, including a teaching hospital of 500 beds, will eventually occupy some 80,000 square metres and employ over 4,000 people. He added that the launch of the faculty will also include construction of a new Heart and Cancer Centre to aid in teaching, research and treatment of chronic diseases.  The construction  of the ultra-modern centre is expected to commence next month and  will cost upwards of $40 million (Sh2.8 billion). The Aga Khan said the central challenge of the new faculty will be to address the crucial health care priorities of the East African population and those living in other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. “The new faculty of health sciences will educate future generations of professional leaders in the evidence-based practice of medicine,”  he added at a function held at  the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. Education Minister Prof George Saitoti  represented the government at the ceremony which was also attended by professionals from the public and private sectors.  Prof Saitoti, who welcomed the Aga Khan, said the university had come at a time, when the Ministry of Education was involved in efforts  aimed at increasing access to university education. He said public universities were able to absorb about 10,000 students each year representing 20 to 26 per cent of  the candidates attaining a mean grade of C+ and above. The low admission was as a result of the limited infrastructure to accommodate more students, the minister said. He paid tribute to the hospital for transforming itself into a premier teaching and tertiary care referral institution in the two years. The Aga Khan urged African countries to learn from the successes of the American higher education system which, he said, had a highly diversified base, seeking support from both state and private sectors. “I believe that the developing countries of Asia and Africa will likewise be well-served by encouraging private, self-governing institutions to develop side by side with those which were supported by the public sector,” The Aga Khan said. Though  health care  had become expensive worldwide Aga Khan hospitals in Kenya  and those in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tanzania, operated on a non-profit basis, he said. The Aga Khan commended the Ministry of Health’s efforts in formulating a national health strategic plan adding that consultations should involve all groups, including the private sector. The Aga Khan will today visit Mombasa to launch the construction of  the residential campus of the Aga Khan Academy and also celebrate the 25 years of  the Madrasa Pre-School Programme that has helped transform education in Coast Province. Others present at the function yesterday were: the President of Aga Khan University Firoz Rasul, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan University Hospital Asmita Gillani, President of the Aga Khan Council of Kenya  Zul Abdul and the Aga Khan Development Network resident representative Aziz Bhaloo, among others. Later, the Aga Khan held talks with President Kibaki at State House.  Mr Kibaki  praised the important role played by the Aga Khan Development Network  in transforming the lives of millions of people in the country.  The Aga Khan said Kenya had achieved tremendous development strides due to an enabling environment existing in country. http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=104426

Aga Khan Inaugurates New Health Sciences Faculty on Nairobi Visit

Aga Khan Inaugurates New Health Sciences Faculty on Nairobi Visit
By Nick Wadhams Nairobi 13 August 2007

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Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki (R) receiving The Aga Khan at the State House in Nairobi, 13 Aug 2007

The Aga Khan is on a 12-day visit across East Africa to celebrate 50 years as the leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims. As Nick Wadhams reports, his first stop was Nairobi, where he is meeting with government leaders and hundreds of his followers.

The Aga Khan inherited his title from his grandfather when he was 20 years old. Upon arriving in Nairobi, he was greeted by Kenya’s foreign minister as well as traditional dancers. Hundreds of Ismailis showed up to greet him.

In a morning meeting, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki praised the Aga Khan for financing projects that he said had helped thousands of farmers along the Kenyan coast.

In the afternoon, the Aga Khan attended a ceremony at the university hospital that bears his name to inaugurate a new health sciences facility.

During the hospital event on Monday, the Aga Khan lamented the state of education across the developing world and said it was private universities like the Aga Khan’s that could help alleviate those problems.

“It should be said in all candor that the recent history of higher education in numerous less-developed countries has been discouraging,” he said. “Some African countries which had strong institutions of higher learning at the time of their independence now find themselves unable to achieve even minimum global standards.”

On hand at the ceremony was Kenya’s education minister, George Saitoti, who watched as the plans for the new faculty were unveiled. He said the Kenyan government was trying to expand Kenya’s university system, which can only accommodate about 25 percent of students who want higher education.

“This ground breaking ceremony could not have come at a better time, when the ministry of education is currently involved in an elaborate program that is aimed at increasing access to university education,” said Saitoti. “Our public universities are able to absorb only about 10,000 students each year. This has been as a result of the limited infrastructure to accommodate those who qualify.”

The Aga Khan will next go to Mombasa to lay the foundation stone for a residential campus of the Aga Khan Academy.

In the last 40 years, the Aga Khan has overseen a massive growth in the development agencies he oversees. His agencies’ work includes education, promoting entrepreneurship, and promoting culture and history.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-08-13-voa38.cfm

Ground Breaking of School Construction – August 2007

The Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is soon to build two new schools in the earthquake affected areas as part of reconstruction and development plan in the region after the earthquake of 2005.

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