Students, teachers from Aga Khan academies benefit from global education partnership

His Highness the Aga Khan, who on Monday signed an agreement with the Canadian government to promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise that will benefit students and teachers in Aga Khan academies in Kenya. PHOTO | COURTESY | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• His Highness the Aga Khan on Monday signed a historic agreement of cooperation with the Canadian government.
• There will also be opportunities for Aga Khan Academy graduates to attend Ontario's world-class post-secondary institutions, among other benefits.
• Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said they agreed to collaborate on mutually beneficial education initiatives.
• A Canadian teacher, Naheed Bardai, is one of the beneficiaries of the initiative.

By EUNICE KILONZO
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Students and teachers from Aga Khan academies in Kenya are set to benefit from an education partnership that will provide scholarships and others opportunities.

His Highness the Aga Khan on Monday signed a historic agreement of cooperation with the Canadian government that will promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

This will see teachers from Ontario go to Aga Khan academies in Kenya (Mombasa and Nairobi) and across the world.

There will also be opportunities for Aga Khan Academy graduates to attend Ontario's world-class post-secondary institutions, among other benefits.

The spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims met with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne during a visit to Queen’s Park in Canada that laid the foundation for the exploration of a range of curriculum-linked resources that emphasize intercultural understanding.

Ms Wynne said they agreed to collaborate on mutually beneficial education initiatives.

"This includes exploring a full range of curriculum-linked resources that promote diversity, tolerance and understanding.

"We will provide tuition waivers to 30 academies’ graduates over the next three years while the academies will provide support to these students for living and other expenses,” the premier said.

LIFTING EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING WORLD

The Aga Khan welcomed the agreement and called the partnership an investment that will help lift education and teaching as a profession, an area of great importance in the developing world.

"In investing in [this] partnership, we are investing in a profession which is critical for the development of a quality civil society in the Third World.

“I would ask you to think of this not only in terms of what we will be able to achieve but in a much wider context of the teaching profession and its position in the developing world," aid the Aga Khan.

A Canadian teacher, Naheed Bardai, is one of the beneficiaries of the initiative.

He worked at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa for several years and will be returning to Ontario to take up a leadership role at the Upper Canada College later in the year.

"The opportunity to be immersed in a rich historical and cultural context so different from my own in Toronto has helped me to appreciate and celebrate diversity, while recognising the similarities we share as human beings.

“I hope to bring [with me] my strengthened appreciation for pluralism and commitment to helping young people grow into ethical leaders," Mr Bardai said.

Among the first batch of students to benefit are Maxwin Omondi and Mary Favour, both of whom, with a number of graduates from other academies, will be joining the University of Toronto in September 2015.

The Aga Khan academies in Mombasa and Nairobi are an integrated network of day and residential schools dedicated to expanding access to education of an international standard.