In 2002, the Aga Khan University (AKU) established its Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) in the United Kingdom. The goal of the Institute is to strengthen research and teaching on the heritage of Muslim societies in all its historic diversity. The Institute will study systems of moral and ethical thought, structures of governance and public life and artistic and creative expressions in all forms. In addition, the Institute will seek to create opportunities for interaction among academics, traditionally trained scholars and other professionals so as to deepen the understanding of pressing issues affecting Muslim societies.

Chartered in 1983 as a private international university, AKU is a self-governing institution currently operating in seven countries. The University is part of the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of private international development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities in the developing world through social, economic and cultural development. Like all Network institutions, the University is non-denominational and admission to its academic programmes is needs blind and based strictly on merit.

What’s on offer
With teaching and research programmes in Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan, Syria and the United Kingdom, AKU serves as an agent of change: developing skills and providing career advancement opportunities through programmes offered by its Medical College, School of Nursing, teaching hospital, Institute for Educational Development and Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. Future plans for AKU include an Institute of Human Development and a Faculty of Arts and Sciences with curricula based on a liberal arts model of undergraduate and postgraduate education.

Aga Khan University - Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) believes it can make a distinct contribution to the understanding of Muslim societies and the emergence of new attitudes among Muslims and non-Muslims toward the concerns of contemporary societies. AKU-ISMC aims to study the most serious issues faced by Muslim societies today. In doing so, it is aware of the difficulties. The Task Force involved in setting up AKU-ISMC recognised that “…salvation will not be found without the clarity and sanity of the enlightened and disciplined minds that university education at its best can give to the Muslim world”.

In their focus on Muslim societies, the Institute’s programmes will take account of the diversity of cultures in which Islam is practised today.

Eminent scholars from around the world comprise the faculty. Class sizes are small to ensure each student excels. The programme combines the humanities and social sciences to bring a new perspective to the study of Muslim cultures.

Write to:
4/5 Bedford Square
London WC1B 3RA

Tel: +44 (0)20 7907 1020
Fax: +44 (0)20 7907 1030
Email: ismc.ma@aku.edu
Website: www.aku.edu/ismc