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The University of Cambridge has today announced the names of 12 distinguished people, to be submitted for approval to the Regent House for the conferment of honorary degrees.

Ten eminent individuals from the worlds of religion, business, science, music, history, philanthropy, politics and economics are proposed for Honorary Doctorates, and two nominations are made for the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts.

Those submitted are:

His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussayni, the Aga Khan (Doctor of Divinity)

Mrs Melinda Gates, Philanthropist (Doctor of Law)

UNIVERSITIES and tertiary institutions in Africa and Asia have been urged to prioritise training in the management and control of non-communicable diseases (diseases that are not contagious).

Local and international health experts are meeting in Kampala for the summit on chronic, non-communicable diseases for African and Asian countries like diabetes, cancer and heart ailments.
The experts demanded political commitment in dealing with the diseases.

THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has paid tribute to the Aga Khan Foundation for its contribution to the development of Uganda, particularly in the education sector, a State House statement said on Friday.

Mrs. Museveni made the comment at State House, Nakasero during a meeting with Princess Zahra Aga Khan, daughter of His Highness the Aga Khan. The princess is in Uganda for a conference on health issues.

PRINCESS Zahara Aga Khan has called upon African and Asian governments to invest in early childhood development to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases.

“Early childhood experiences have a direct impact on brain development and exposure to a safe environment, appropriate activities and a balanced diet are essential for the normal development of a healthy adult,” said Zahara.

She said since many diseases were a result of attitudes and lifestyles, prevention should explore the parenting techniques, traditions and eating habits.

Eight new stamps featuring various development projects of the Aga Khan in Uganda have been issued by Posta Uganda. The stamps, which commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Aga Khan, were launched on Wednesday during celebrations to mark the World Post Day at the Posta office in Kampala.

The Aga khan Development Network (AKDN) is a network of institutions founded and led by Prince Karim Aga Khan, which collaborate with the governments and other organisation, towards improving living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world like Uganda.

Apollo Magazine Featured H.H. The Aga Khan IV on their cover and selected him as their personality of the year on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The article includes photographs and descriptions of His Highness's recent endeavours.

Maki and Associates has completed the first building in the world specifically designed for the Aga Khan and his agencies.

Over 113 students on Saturday graduated with degrees and diplomas in Advanced Nursing Studies during the 6th graduation ceremony of Aga Khan University at Serena Hotel, Kampala.

Over 55 students were awarded Bachelors of Science Degrees in Nursing and 58 graduated with Diplomas in General Nursing.

Aga Khan University to expand
By Vicent Mnyanyika

The Aga Khan University is set to establish an Institute of Educational, Arts and Sciences in Arusha and a Faculty of Health Sciences in Nairobi, Kenya, under its initiative to expand its services in the region.

Under its expansion initiative, the university will develop relevant programmes and curricula to offer diplomas in accident, emergency and disaster management inline with regional and peoples' needs.

More than 180 students earned degrees in nursing and medicine Wednesday, when the Aga Khan University (AKU) held its fifth graduation ceremony in Nairobi.

University president Firoz Rasul, urged the group to give back to their home communities.

“Make an impact wherever you go, an impact that is reflective of the personal development, good friends and intellectual growth you gained at AKU.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo was hosted to lunch by His Highness the Aga Khan at the latter's residence in Paris on 18 January 2009. It was a follow-up to their earlier meeting in December 2008 when the Aga Khan visited Singapore as part of his Golden Jubilee celebrations.

SINGAPORE : Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo is in Paris for a three-day official visit.

On Sunday, he was hosted to lunch by the Aga Khan, who is the Imam of Shi'a Ismaili Muslims.

According to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the lunch was a follow-up to their earlier meeting last December, when the Aga Khan visited Singapore as part of his Golden Jubilee celebrations.

During the lunch, the Aga Khan announced he would establish an Ismaili Centre and regional representative office of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Singapore.

Burnaby will be marking the golden jubilee of the Aga Khan with a new 13-acre park in the Central Valley.

The “contemplative nature park” will be built on city-owned land but funded, designed and constructed by the Aga Khan Development Network, said city parks director Dave Ellenwood.

“Right now we’re just very excited at the prospect of working with such a prominent organization.”

Aga Khan IV is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. The Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, to become the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. He has spent his life working to strengthen the Muslim community through his belief that the ethic of Islam “requires members of the faith to contribute to improving the quality of all human life.”

Early Days

As part of his official Golden Jubilee visit to France, Mawlana Hazar Imam spent the day meeting with senior government leaders.

Mawlana Hazar Imam visited the French Ministry of the Interior at Place Beauvau, where he met Michèle Alliot-Marie, Minister of the Interior, Overseas France and Local Authorities. Afterwards, Hazar Imam and Prince Rahim were welcomed by Prime Minister François Fillon at the Hôtel Matignon, the Prime Minister's official residence.

A full hour before he showed up, a throng of more than 100 of his followers waited patiently on Sussex Drive Saturday afternoon, enduring the cold for the chance of a mere glimpse of their spiritual leader.

When the Aga Khan arrived at the opening ceremony of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, accompanied by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen, a great cheer arose from the crowd outside.

This in turn set off a round of excited giggling from the throngs of dignitaries inside the dramatic main atrium of the delegation.

SINGAPORE: The visiting hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili community, the Aga Khan, called on President S R Nathan at the Istana on Tuesday.

The Aga Khan, who is on a three—day visit from December 1—3, is also celebrating his Golden Jubilee.

He will be celebrating it with the Ismaili community from the Asia Pacific region, to commemorate the 50th year of his accession to the Imamat.

On Tuesday, the Aga Khan was also hosted to lunch by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

This is Aga Khan’s third visit to Singapore.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: Prince Karim Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismailis, arrived here on Sunday night on a short visit to Pakistan, Dawn has learnt.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik received him at Chaklala Air Base. The prince’s prominent followers were also present at the base.

During his stay in Pakistan, Prince Karim Aga Khan will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday, the source said. He will leave Islamabad on Monday afternoon. —Staff Reporter

Six years ago, the Aga Khan presented architects with an unusual challenge: create for him a headquarters in Ottawa that was both transparent and translucent, pleasing and confusing, mysterious, esoteric and ethereal. The budget was impressive, and the demands were exacting. The stunning $54-million structure that resulted officially opens today. Here, according to Maria Cook, who has spoken with the designers and builders and toured the building, is how it came to be.

The Aga Khan, the Ismaili Muslim spiritual leader who ended an eight-day Canadian tour in Vancouver less than two weeks ago, is back in Ottawa today to open a new architectural landmark on Sussex Drive.

The $50-million building is to be the permanent home of the Ismaili Imamat delegation - in effect, an embassy for representatives of his 15 million followers who are scattered in 25 or 30 countries around the globe.

It's the first such Ismaili delegation anywhere, though another is planned for Portugal, and the Aga Khan says more will be eventually built in other places.