KARACHI: The Aga Khan University (AKU) launched its Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) on Monday, expanding its programmes beyond health sciences and teacher education.

It’s the first new faculty at AKU in Pakistan in three decades.

The inaugural FAS class comprises almost 100 students from across Pakistan. They will have the option of majoring either in Asian and Middle Eastern studies; social development studies; philosophy, politics, and economics; or human and environmental biology.

“With a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity, FAS utilises a needs-sensitive admission process. This means that students are admitted on merit, regardless of their ability to pay, and substantial financial assistance is available,” a university spokesperson said.

The launch of the FAS undergraduate programme represented a profound transformation in the university’s academic portfolio, he added.

FAS Dean Stephen Lyon said, “We’re building on what has worked so effectively in some of the great institutions around the world, like Harvard, Yale, Middlebury, or Reed.

“Bringing together multiple disciplines enables a learning environment that cultivates well-rounded people prepared for multifaceted careers, engaged citizenship, and enriching lives that make a genuinely positive contribution to society.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2023