The Aga Khan Academies exchange program: fostering pluralism within future leaders

“The spirit of pluralism will be further enhanced by the fact that each Academy will be part of a larger network. All of them will be linked…through programs whereby teachers and students will work for a time in a distant setting.” – His Highness the Aga Khan, Hyderabad 2006

Since the founding of the Aga Khan Academies program in 2003, His Highness the Aga Khan has consistently shared his vision of building a worldwide network of Academies that will allow students to spend time studying not only at their own Academy, but at sister Academies too – developing a group of pluralistic, well-rounded and tolerant future leaders, according to press release issued by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Those hopes are now becoming a reality, through the Aga Khan Academies Student Mobility Program.

After research, planning and consultation, the Exchange Program piloted in 2018, allowing a group of Grade 9 students from the Academy in Mombasa and Hyderabad to “Exchange” with each other for a period of 7 weeks.  During this time, the students were able to gain a critical appreciation of their own identity, values and beliefs, as well as those of their peers, whilst understanding and appreciating varying perspectives and outlooks from both social and academic perspectives.  In an overarching goal of the program, students also learned more about the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) within the countries they were visiting. 

Students were immersed into their exchange school from the outset. The first-hand experience of living in another culture created challenges which enhanced learning.  They had to abide by a new set of rules – both cultural and school based – which created opportunities for personal growth

Through the program, the exchange students were able to experience a different way of living within the context of their own attitudes and beliefs.

Like much of the planned Academies network, the Aga Khan Academies in Hyderabad and Mombasa are situated in developing countries.  By participating in the exchange program, students were able to observe development within another country and understand how other countries approach the same challenges, particularly given the similarities between both countries.  It will hopefully help students further analyses issues relating to development and inspire them to generate solutions for their own country and other countries in the years ahead.

Across the Academies one important aspect of the curriculum is understanding the work of the AKDN and appreciating that the Academies are part of a wider network.   

The Student Mobility Program is soon to start its second cycle.  The Program has been extended from 7 weeks to 13 weeks and will engage a larger group of students.  As more Aga Khan Academies open, the Program will continue to extend and grow and fulfill His Highness’ vision of developing future leaders with an enhanced, pluralistic view of the world around them.