Aga Khan University - Arusha Campus construction in the offing
Construction of the Aga Khan University (AKU) is in the offing in Arusha, Tanzania and the move is viewed as a catalyst for positive transformation that will see the city expand as the intellectual, social and political hub for East Africa. The Arusha Campus project which is part of a planned US$ 500 million expansion in East Africa by H.H the Aga Khan, seeks to enroll Arts and Science students from across the region, notably from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. There will be two graduate professional schools in the first phase; Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism and Architecture and Human Settlement.
In solidarity, EAC Executives paid a visit to the proposed site situated 4km from Arusha Airport on Dodoma road. The site covers 3200acres out of which the potential area for development rests on 1700acres.
On behalf of the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo accompanied the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt Hon. Daniel Kidega and the Judge President of the East African Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja to the Aga Khan University (AKU) site in Arusha.
Receiving the Executives from EAC was the Director, Aga Khan University Campus Development in Tanzania, Nizar Jaffer Somji. Others were the Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Uganda;,Mahmood H. Ahmed; the Director of Site and Facilities, Murad Jivan; Resident Architect, Amina Hirani; Special Projects Manager, Azmina Jivan; Resident Representative, Amin Kurji; Nursery Manager, Roshan Hemani and Community Engagement Officer,Lazaro Ole Mongoi.
In 2007, H.H the Aga Khan announced plans to build a major new university campus in Arusha. The decision to erect a new campus in Arusha stemmed from his faith in the future of the East African Region. The new development represents the biggest expansion for AKU since it opened its first campus in Karachi, Pakistan about 25 years back.
AKU’s ambitious 15 year-plan includes a significant commitment of global resources to the East African region through the expansion of the University’s presence in Arusha, transforming EAC’s capital into a “regional intellectual epicenter".
Before a tour of the site was a presentation on the site plan outlining some of the facilities the project will offer in its first phase. These include: a primary and secondary school, a university, housing for students and staff, a training hotel and retail outlets and a university hospital in future.
Currently, the design plan for the construction of the project is at its final stages and execution of the design plan is expected to commence soon after its completion. On-site activities within the project include a reforestation programme which is ongoing and community engagement activities such as health camps, community based savings groups, fodder distribution among others.
In his remarks, the Speaker was utterly impressed with the project plan and commended AKDN’s efforts to not only invest in a bid to make profit but also to benefit the surrounding population, an effort he termed as ‘humanitarian capitalism’. He remarked that the Assembly was keen to enact relevant piece(s) of legislation that would anchor the vision of the Aga Khan.
Being her first visit to the Arusha Campus site, the Deputy Secretary General stated that she was eager to see the project materialize. Hon. Jesca Eriyo also emphasized that; “The community needs to know that the project is for their benefit therefore raising awareness about the project, creating job opportunities for the youth within the project and identifying areas of co-investment and partnerships with the locals by engaging CSOs and other community based interest groups is key in order to build the capacity of the community economically as underpinned in the project’s objectives.”
The EACJ Judge President concluded with a congratulatory message to H.H the Aga Khan for the success of the Aga Khan Foundation projects so far, adding that the EAC is highly committed to offer as much support to ensure that the upcoming project is a success for the benefit of future EAC generations.