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The Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC) and The John F. Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University (HKS) launched the Transforming Leadership for 21st Century Africa Programme on September 15, 2019 at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nairobi. This marks the second consecutive year GSMC and HKS have collaborated to deliver the leadership programme, which helps executives from Africa, exercise leadership amid uncertainty with skill and effectiveness, while communicating for impact.

The programme combines the teaching experience of established faculty from both Kenya and USA and incorporates seasoned leaders to share their experiences in dealing with leadership issues.

Speaking at the event, Dr Eric Aligula, Secretary, Infrastructure Sector, Executive Office of the President noted the commitment of the Government to work in partnership with The Aga Khan University to help develop leadership capability within Kenya’s public sector. “The design of this program is particularly interesting. The skills garnered from the programme will guide participants to understand organizational dynamics, but also perform leadership beyond organizational dynamics to broader frontiers including regional and global levels.

The programme comprises of two modules; Adaptive Leadership for Africa and Voice of Leadership, and will welcome emerging and proven leaders from various sectors from Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Botswana, Egypt and Malawi. This unique partnership marks HKS’ first collaboration with a university in the region to offer a similar course.

The Interim Dean of GSMC and Vice Provost of Aga Khan University East Africa, Dr Alex Awiti acknowledged the partnership with Harvard Kennedy School, noting it as crucial in nurturing the skills needed to advance leadership in the region. “This unique programme will give leaders the skills to reexamine their leadership capabilities and will help them to think differently about leadership, not as positions of authority, but as opportunities to support their organisations and the people who work with them to deliver their purpose,” he said. The first week-long course begins on September, 15, followed by a second week-long module in November — two weeks in all. In between, participants will be assisted by both faculty and coaches to find solutions to their current leadership challenges.

Upon graduation in November 2019, participants will receive certificates from both Harvard Kennedy School and the Aga Khan University. More importantly, they will gain new skills, fresh perspectives and strategies for dealing with specific workplace challenges facing them and their organizations.

For more information on the programme, visit: https://akumedia.aku.edu/course/transforming-leadership-for-21st-century...