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Spring 2008 AKU-NAMA : Spring 2008, Volume 1, Issue 1 Aga Khan University Alumni Association
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Recommended Citation Aga Khan University Alumni Association, "AKU-NAMA : Spring 2008, Volume 1, Issue 1" (2008). Alumni Magazines. Book 2. http://ecommons.aku.edu/aku_nama/2 AKU-NAMA Aga Khan University Alumni Newsletter Spring 2008, Vol. 1, Issue 1
Highlights Messages from AKU and Alumni Leadership Reflections on My Visit to AKU and Pakistan Inside Kibera, There is Hope – Africa’s Second Largest Slum J-1 Waivers in a Nutshell What Alumni Want Coverage of AKU Alumni Reunions in Karachi, New York, Chicago and Toronto Class Notes Contents
4 From the Editor-in-Chief’s Desk, 6 Message from Dr Rizwan Khalid, 13 Reflections on My Visit to AKU Adeel A. Butt, MBBS ‘90 President, AKU and Pakistan, by Stephen Seeling Alumni Association, Our strength is in numbers. We North American (NA) Chapter Beyond the wonderful food and have to use our numbers to the spectacular sites, it is the advocate for ourselves. No one Alumni are the yardstick to students and young physicians I else will. Make a pledge to measure the success of any will never forget. yourself today – that you will institution. Aga Khan University become a member of your Alumni alumni, with the Grace of the 14 J-1 Waivers in a Nutshell, by Association. And for Medical Almighty, have excelled in every Naveen Rehman Bhora College alumni in North America, medical and surgical specialty. become a member of APPNA. For Federal agencies and state those in Pakistan and Europe and 7 Secretary’s Report, NA Chapter, departments of health collectively other countries, join your local Atif Jalees Khan, MBBS ‘99 known as “interested government chapter of the Alumni Association. agencies”. And my appeal is to all alumni, Our long-term goals include an from all schools, to join and AKU Alumni Association that will 15 AKU Alumni, Northeast Dinner strengthen the Alumni actively contribute to the Association. Together, we shall continued academic excellence of The dinner meeting was held at prevail. AKU. Dervish, a fine Turkish restaurant in NYC. 4 Message from President Firoz 7 Treasurer’s Report, NA Chapter, Rasul Talha Malik, MBBS ‘99 16 What Alumni Want
As AKU’s programmes and I would like to extend my gratitude A total of 965 alumni responses presence rapidly spread over eight to all active members within the were recorded during the survey. countries, the alumni pool will AKU alumni community for their grow not only in number but also sincere and selfless effort. 20 AKU-IED Alumni Reunion 2007 in disciplines and countries of origin. 7 AKU Alumni Association 23 Class of 1997 Reunion Funds 5 Message from Dr Mohammad One of the significant segments Khurshid, Dean, AKU-MC As of December 31, 2007, the of the unit level was the election Alumni Association account stood for new AKU-IED alumni A number of activities are at PKR 30,100. representatives. particularly being designed around alumni as part of the 25th 8 International Initiatives of 23 That Fleeting Thought is Worth Anniversary Celebrations, which AKU-School of Nursing Pursuing, Rahila Zakir, MBBS ‘90 will be held in conjunction with the Grand Alumni Reunion being The School of Nursing now has Sometimes things come together organised from December 15 to programmes in Kenya, Uganda, when we work with people who 21, 2008. Tanzania, Egypt, Syria and are similarly motivated and Afghanistan. supportive. 5 Message from Dr Muhammad Memon, Director, AKU-IED 10 Second Generation of AKU 24 Moving Back to Pakistan, by Alumni Umer Darr, MBBS ‘92 Our graduates are impressive and are making a remarkable 10 AKU-SON Alumnae Honoured When you have limited options you difference in a diverse and ever tend to make the one you have got. evolving global society. 11 Inside Kibera, There is Hope 24 Research or No Research, by 6 Message from Dr Yasmin Amarsi, It would be good to show the Moneeb Ehtesham, MBBS ‘99 Dean, AKU-SON nation that not all the slum area is bad. I am happy to counsel people who I would particularly like to approach me towards available appreciate the nursing alumni who 12 How AKU-IED Helped Shape My opportunities. have pledged towards the Career professorship at AKU as a gift towards the 25th anniversary I feel my career with AKU-IED 25 Class Notes celebrations of AKU-School of has contributed immensely to my Nursing. personal and professional growth. 29 2007 Match Results for AKU-MC
2 Message from the Editors
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief:
Adeel A. Butt [email protected]
Associate Editors:
Faiz Bhora North American Chapter [email protected]
Moneeb Ehtesham North American Chapter [email protected]
Tazeen Jafar Pakistan Chapter [email protected] Renewing the vows: Tazeen Jafar, Rahila Zakir and Adeel Butt discussing ways to revive the alumni association in the lobby of Sheraton Hotel, Umer Darr Karachi in March 2007 Pakistan Chapter [email protected] AKU-NAMA is a newsletter and in East Africa and the Institute for magazine for all alumni of Aga the Study of Muslim Civilisations Rahila Zakir Khan University (AKU). It is our (AKU-ISMC) in the United European Chapter vision that this publication will Kingdom. Please send [email protected] serve as a communication tool for nominations to any current alumni from all constituencies and member. You are welcome to SON Representatives campuses of AKU, and keep us nominate yourself. All we ask for Rubina Barolia informed with their news, views, is a commitment to work towards [email protected] personal or professional the shared vision and mission of accomplishments, and happenings AKU-NAMA and all alumni. Sharifa Lalani [email protected]
IED Representative It is our vision that this publication Nadim Farooqui [email protected] will serve as a communication tool for alumni from all constituencies and President Alumni Association campuses of AKU North American Chapter Rizwan Khalid Ex-officio in life. It will also provide an To request regular delivery of an [email protected] opportunity to share old memories electronic version or printed copy and new developments at AKU. of the Alumni Newsletter or AKU Office of Alumni Affairs We invite contributions from Newsletter, kindly register at the Asif Fancy alumni of all AKU programmes. following website: Ex-officio We also expect and hope that the http://www.aku.edu/alumni/alu [email protected] representation on the Editorial mni_ contact.asp Board will enlarge reflecting Abdul Haq Wahedna expansion of AKU in the various The views expressed in this Ex-officio fields of study as well as in publication are those of the [email protected] geographic location. At this time, authors, and do not necessarily the Editorial Board is seeking reflect the views or the official members from the Advanced position of the University, the Nursing Programme (AKU-ANS) Alumni Association, or the editors.
3 Messages
And unlike the theme song I Association. Together, we shall quoted above, it is not prevail. Ghostbusters. Well, may be – of a different kind. Your fellow Adeel A. Butt, MBBS ’90 alumni have been working on Editor-in-Chief these and many other issues faced by the younger graduates for years. Due to the strong advocacy of Association of Physicians of Dear Alumni, Pakistani – Descent in North America (APPNA), the visa I am delighted at the initiative of refusals have all but disappeared. AKU Alumni Newsletter and The security clearances are taking hope that this will provide a new much less time. Students and forum for communication and young graduates seek advice on connectivity amongst you all. the email group on ‘topica’ and get most of their questions As AKU’s programmes and “Who You Gonna Call?” answered. The vice president of presence rapidly spread over eight ECFMG recently visited Pakistan countries, the alumni pool will If there's something strange and made a special trip to AKU, grow not only in number but also in your neighbourhood and now we can send our queries in disciplines and countries of Who you gonna call? right up to the vice president and origin. This geographic and president of ECFMG and get them programmatic breadth will add If there's something weird answered in near real-time. much strength to the University. and it don't look good A University dedicated to Who you gonna call? There is a lot of work and effort empowering people of the that a few individuals, a few fellow developing world to guide their In the wake of 9/11, US embassy alumni and organisations like own destinies, and to make their in Pakistan denies visas to many APPNA have put into helping us rightful contributions as members graduates who have secured all. And we have all benefited from of a global community. residency spots in the US. Security those directly, or indirectly. The clearances delay a multitude of question is, what have we, as These times offer many exciting others, some of whom lose their individuals, done to help? There opportunities for your alma mater. residency spots. Numerous are over 950 AKU Medical New and standardised systems of applicants look for a place to stay College alumni in the US at this science, education, globalisation, for a night or two during their time, but only a few of them are and health care services in a interview trail across the United members of the alumni association variety of settings will need to be States. Others ask for advice about or APPNA. I keep getting asked established. I invite the alumni programmes, cities, visa “what has AKU Alumni community to work with me on processing, commuting to Association or APPNA done for these. You can bring expertise, interview cities, licensing me?” And uniformly, those who experience and creative requirements and many other ask have never made an effort to intelligence. issues. Students are looking for find out how much advocacy has elective and research positions. been done on their behalf over the Others have questions for ECFMG years. and their processing. A Duke professor makes derogatory Our strength is in numbers. We remarks about medical graduates have to use our numbers to from Pakistan. advocate for ourselves. No one else will. Make a pledge to What is the common theme in all yourself today that you will this, you ask? Well, these are all become a member of your Alumni actual scenarios and events faced Association. And for Medical by AKU students and graduates, College alumni in North America, and indeed from other medical become a member of APPNA. For colleges in Pakistan. And when those in Pakistan and Europe and you are going through one of these other countries, join your local scenarios, who do you call? Or chapter of the Alumni Association. many a time, who helps you out And my appeal is to all alumni, even before you have asked for from all schools, to join and help? strengthen the Alumni
4 Messages
Your alma mater values your endeavour continues to contribute contribution to society. My sincere significantly to Aga Khan hope for the coming years is that University’s ascent to such AKU family devotes active effort respectable standing. We are towards improving the quality of proud of you and continue to wish life of our constituents. We all you well in your careers. have a stake in the University’s overall direction and well being. While taking stock and reflecting I have no doubt that our alumni on past accomplishments is will not only uphold the name of important, it is also vital to chart the institution, but take it to new the course for the next quarter heights. century and beyond as we set our aims on even greater heights. Firoz Rasul Needless to say, your involvement President, in helping your University meet Aga Khan University these new challenges will be of paramount importance. its alma mater and the careers of A number of activities are their fellow graduates. particularly being designed around alumni as part of the 25th The Institute for Educational Anniversary Celebrations, which Development maintains regular will be held in conjunction with communication with its alumni the Grand Alumni Reunion being who are spread in many parts of organised from December 15 to the globe. Indeed, I frequently 21, 2008. A seminar titled, “AKU- have the pleasure to spend time MC – Its Journey into the 21st with a number of our alumni. On Century” is already planned for behalf of AKU-IED faculty, I December 18 and the Annual would like to convey our Health Sciences Research appreciation to alumni for sharing Assembly will be held on the their ideas and achievements with following day. Other events will us. Our graduates are impressive be finalised and communicated in and are making a remarkable the coming weeks through AKU difference in a diverse and ever website. I invite all our Medical evolving global society. Dear AKU Alumni, College alumni to actively participate in these events, and I would urge all alumni to increase It is a pleasure to be please do mark your diaries their involvement with the communicating to you through accordingly. University through various means AKU Alumni Newsletter, which to facilitate research and I am sure will serve as an On behalf of AKU Medical scholarship activities. Your important tool for sharing ideas College faculty, I wish you and participation in AKU’s between AKU and its alumni as your families the very best, and programmes and activities are well as within the alumni look forward to seeing you later crucial to the University’s goal of community. I congratulate all this year! remaining a world-class academic those involved in this initiative and research institution. I would and look forward to continued Warm regards, also encourage you to use this contributions from alumni from distinguished network as a all AKU programmes in future Dr Mohammad Khurshid valuable resource throughout your issues. Dean, Medical College career, and to become an active member of AKU Alumni As many of you already know, It is a great pleasure for me to Association. Aga Khan University and the write a message for the Alumni Medical College celebrate their Newsletter. I am delighted to see I wish the Alumni Newsletter 25th Anniversary this year. Over that the alumni of Aga Khan Editorial Board the very best in these past 25 years, your University are making efforts to their efforts to make this University has grown from a come together and remain in touch publication possible. fledgling institution to one of with their alma mater as well as national and international repute. with each other. Only a strong and Dr Mohammad Memon The success of our outstanding enduring Alumni Association can Director, Institute for alumni in their chosen fields of steadfastly support the cause of Educational Development 5 Messages
Dear Friends, embarked on a major update of our alumni database. We feel that Alumni are the yardstick to this is the cornerstone for any measure the success of any further implementation of our institution. Aga Khan University plans. I request you to help us in alumni, with the Grace of the updating your information. Almighty, have excelled in every medical and surgical specialty. Since January 2007, we have been They have trained from reputed involved in a number of programmes and many serve as endeavours to assist younger faculty in top-notch universities alumni. Many projects are being in North America. They are on done in collaboration with the the forefront of research, academia Committee for Young Physicians Dear Alumni, and clinical care. Successful (YPC) of Association of alumni need a vibrant Alumni Physicians of Pakistani-Descent Congratulations to each one of Association. An association that of North America (APPNA), th you on the 25 anniversary of keeps them in touch with their including our efforts during the AKU. colleagues, a forum that provides post-match scramble to help them the opportunity to share unmatched alumni. More I appreciate the initiative of the ideas and an organisation that links concerted efforts need to be made, Medical College alumni, them to their alma mater. and for this we would need the particularly those belonging to the However, it has been felt that the help of senior AKU alumni who North American Chapter, aimed Alumni Association was not up serve as faculty in various at reviving the Alumni Newsletter. to par and there was a dire need residency programmes. I solicit This is a great opportunity for the for revitalisation of AKU Alumni their assistance for securing alumni of School of Nursing, Association. With this mind, my observerships and electives for Institute for Educational team and I took over this medical students and recent Development, Medical College responsibility last year. I am graduates, as US clinical and Institute for the Study of thankful to Atif Jalees Khan and experience seems to be a key Muslim Civilisations to participate Talha Aziz Malik, Secretary and factor in this regard. and contribute to future issues. Treasurer of our organisation respectively, in assisting me in all In collaboration with the YPC, we I am very happy to see that many day-to-day matters. I have have held very successful of you are working in various received invaluable guidance from mentorship and Programme locations throughout the world. I previous office bearers and other Director’s seminars in Chicago, am proud of your achievements senior members including Adeel New York City, Long Island and and contributions globally and Butt, Faiz Bhora, Nayyar Iqbal, Orlando. Various AKU alumni wish you further success. The Aniq Shaikh, Asad Ansari, have served as mentors and also University’s programmes are Tahseen Mozaffar, Munir Abidi, as faculty on several of these expanding and we look forward Saud Anwar, Faisal Cheema, and seminars. We have also hosted to your active involvement in any many others. successful research seminars for way possible (your ideas, physicians-in-training in Houston, feedback, time, etc), as you are One of the first steps we took was Chicago and Orlando. Physicians- our ambassadors and important to engage in a meaningful in-training present their original stakeholders. discussion with the University. research and various prizes are We received a positive response given by a panel of judges. AKU I would particularly like to from President Firoz Rasul and alumni who have excelled in these appreciate the nursing alumni who have developed an encouraging seminars include Drs Faisal have pledged towards the working relationship with the Cheema, Qaisar Khan, Javaria professorship at AKU as a gift alumni office at AKU, under the Fatima, Hamid Bashir, Mahboob th towards the 25 anniversary leadership of Mr Asif Fancy. Alam and Hiba Arif. Many senior celebrations of AKU-SON. Among the priorities is the alumni AKU alumni have served as website, which we intend to faculty in these seminars ranging Wishing you and your family a integrate with AKU website with from screening and judging happy, peaceful and prosperous the understanding that the alumni abstracts. These include Drs Adeel 2008. would have control of the content Butt, Nayyar Iqbal, Munir Abidi, on this website. Ultimately, it Tahseen Mozaffar, Arif Sarwari, Warm regards, would serve as the main portal for Faiz Bhora and Faisal Cheema. alumni networking and These physician-in-training Dr Yasmin Amarsi disseminating important seminars are becoming a regular Dean, School of Nursing information. We have also feature in all major APPNA
6 meetings. In addition, I provide that we would see an increase in health, and to the development of telephonic and e-guidance about both membership and alumni clinical delivery systems in the visas, security clearance, participation. underprivileged areas of Pakistan. residency, fellowship, waivers, Clearly, the success of this highly jobs, electives, observerships, etc In the end, I feel privileged to ambitious endeavour is to a number of graduates from all serve as President of AKU Alumni conditional on the support and over Pakistan, including AKU. We Association, North American participation of AKU alumni have also negotiated discounted Chapter, and am glad that I am a community in North America. rates for various immigration and part of the renaissance of the And so with much humility, we visa petitions with a well known Association and am looking ask for your continued support law firm based in Manhattan. The forward to implementing our and prayers. law firm has been gracious enough plans throughout this year and in to provide answers to many of the the future. Thank you for all your Atif Jalees Khan, MBBS ’99 queries I receive. I thank Dr Faiz support. North American Chapter Bhora for this contact. M. Rizwan Khalid, MBBS ’99 Treasurer’s Report We are working on ways to President, AKU Alumni improve as an organisation with Association, North American Dear Fellow Alumni, serious focus on the structure. Our Chapter future direction includes working I would like to extend my on developing a programme of Secretary’s Report gratitude to all active members visiting professorship at AKU for within AKU alumni community alumni based overseas. This would Dear Friends and colleagues, for their sincere and selfless include maximising participation efforts; at the same time, I would of North American faculty in It is with great pleasure and like to encourage everybody else various Continuing Medical honour that I share my thoughts who is not active for one reason Education programmes at AKU. with my esteemed and or another, to please come forward We also want to streamline various accomplished AKU alumni and present any and every concern mentorship and research family. of yours as well as your ideas and programmes in North America. advice, so that we can all get Moreover, we would like to Our efforts for the short-term together, pool in our resources include organisation and outreach and work for the greater good of to strengthen the network of AKU the whole community. alumni in North America and revivification of alumni ties with AKU Alumni North American the University. Chapter account has $10,074.53 right now, which does not include In the medium-term, we hope to further contributions of $750.00 renew our commitment, as AKU that have yet to be deposited. graduates, to activism in the cause of physicians of Pakistani-descent Talha Malik, MBBS ’99 in the US. North American Chapter
In the areas of organisation and AKU Alumni Association partner with AKU and other outreach, our primary goals are Funds NGOs in Pakistan to support to collect an accurate listing of welfare and charity projects. The AKU alumni in North America, As of December 31, 2007, the North American Chapter intends increase the active membership Alumni Association account stood to work with AKU in key of AKU Alumni Association, at PKR 30,100. These funds were decision-making on alumni issues. publish a regular newsletter, and collected as Alumni Association We are fully supportive of the to participate as a large, unified membership fees through 2007 proposed celebrations being held and integrated contingent at the and the account was rolled over in December 2008 at AKU on the annual APPNA meeting. to 2008 with the same amount as auspicious occasion of 25th credit. No debits were recorded anniversary of the University. We Our long-term goals include an in this account for the entire year recognise that membership to the AKU Alumni Association that as all alumni-related expenses, Alumni Association has to be will actively contribute to the such as for Alumni Reunion, etc, encouraged and with better continued academic excellence of were borne by the University. communication and when the AKU, the pre-eminence of AKUH alumni observe solid work being as an institution of distinction for Office of Alumni Affairs done on this forum, we are hopeful clinical services and community AKU Karachi, Pakistan
7 International Initiatives of AKU’s School of Nursing
When most of us think of Aga Khan University School of Nursing (AKU-SON), we think of its sprawling pink campus with lakes and gardens in the midst of a bustling Karachi. However, AKU-SON’s scope has expanded far beyond the Stadium Road campus, and even beyond the borders of Pakistan. The alumni of AKU-SON have played an important role in this expansion. In this first issue of AKU-NAMA, AKU-SON alumni salute our fellow alumni for their contributions to AKU-SON programmes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Kenya, Uganda, Afghanistan Tanzania, Tajikistan and Egypt. In Afghanistan, AKU-SON has curfews. Security threats and lack The nurses who have supported now been supporting the of lodging facilities even forced AKU programmes in and outside government Institute of Health some to spend nights sleeping Pakistan have performed multiple Sciences in Kabul since 2002. Our under their desks in offices. One roles as managers, clinicians, alumni – mostly women, have alumna tells a particularly educators, friends, administrators, supported this programme from interesting story of the thick layer policy makers, grant writers, report the first day despite the armed of cobwebs that covered every writers, budget writers, trainers conflict in Afghanistan. Rukhsana surface in the ‘skills lab’ at the and mentors. Our alumni have Rahmetullah, RN ’91, Karimah Kabul Institute of Health Sciences. gone beyond their assigned roles Alidina, BScN ’02, Ramzia All alumni have worked in Kabul and engaged in government-level Ashrafee, RN ’03, and Mukhtar at great personal risk. Their efforts policy dialogue to advocate for Ali Khan, BScN ’04 have served have taken forward the work of important nursing related policies, as full-time staff for AKU-SON AKU-SON and has impacted the donor-level dialogue to raise funds project in Afghanistan. They have lives of people in Afghanistan. So for AKU programmes and shared stories of witnessing far 196 nurses and 269 midwives dialogue with nurses and buildings being bombed, roads have graduated from Kabul communities in different countries without traffic, living in Kabul Institute of Health Sciences under in order to raise the status of amidst news of suicide bomb the new general nursing diploma nursing profession in the explosions, kidnappings of curriculum. developing world. international staff, and 7 PM AKU-SON alumni have struggled to have more women included in the general nursing diploma programme in Afghanistan. They have provided technical support necessary to develop a new general nursing diploma curriculum for Afghanistan. To fulfil the requirements of the programme, alumni were involved in developing standards against which nursing education programmes could be evaluated and tools with which the quality of the programme being implemented in Afghanistan could be assessed. In addition, they have reached out to the community by visiting high schools in Afghan villages to convince young girls that nursing is indeed a worthy profession.
8 Syria technical assistance to institutions Karmaliani, Post RN BScN ‘91 in and outside Pakistan. At its Associate Professor and Director, In Syria, AKU-SON has worked inception, AKU-SON only offered Masters of Science in Nursing on nursing quality assurance and a General Nursing Diploma programme; and Dr Khurshid curriculum development in programme. Today, in addition to Khowaja, RN ‘84, Director, partnership with the Nursing the RN programme, the School Nursing Services Division, Services Division at AKUH, offers a two-year Post RN BScN, AKUH, Karachi. We hope that Karachi. Muhammad Altaf, Post a four-year generic BScN, and a these stories of our alumni who RN BScN ’99, was based in Syria two-year MScN course. AKU- are engaged in leadership and for a two-year period to support SON attracts a diverse student technical roles will motivate their quality assurance in nursing body from different parts of peers to contribute to AKU-SON services at five hospitals. In Pakistan, as well as the countries initiatives in Pakistan and other addition, several alumni from in which AKU-SON works, for countries and thus are able to have AKU-SON visited the Syria example, Tajikistan, Syria, and a positive impact on people’s lives. programme at intervals to provide Afghanistan. technical assistance, for example, to conduct needs curriculum development. As a result of AKU- SON’s efforts which were made possible through the work of alumni, the Syrian government has requested AKU-SON to support Post RN BScN programmes, BScN programmes, and MScN programmes in different Syrian institutions as well as Total Quality Assurance at Al-Mujtahed Hospital in Damascus. A number of alumni have lent East Africa Egypt their efforts to make AKU-SON programmes and services Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania The Om-Habibeh Foundation in accessible and relevant for people were the first international Egypt was established by the late in developing countries. Four programmes of AKU-SON and grandmother of His Highness the alumnae who are currently Khairunissa Dhamani, Samina Aga Khan, the Chancellor of AKU. providing strategic leadership to Verteji, Zeenat Sulaiman and This foundation supports the our Pakistan initiatives are Salma Dilshad Pirani have been development of the people in the Rattani, MScN ‘06, Senior seconded from Karachi to Aswan Governorate of Egypt. Om- Instructor and Director, General implement Advanced Nursing Habibeh Foundation, now a part Nursing Diploma Programme; Dr Studies programme in East Africa. of the Aga Khan Foundation, Fauziya Sumar Ali, BScN ‘93, Egypt, has partnered with AKU- Assistant Professor and Director This report was prepared for SON in capacity-building for Bachelors of Science in Nursing AKU-NAMA by AKU-SON nurses in Aswan. Farida Khaled, programmes; Dr Rozina Alumni Standing Committee RN ’86, served AKU-SON programme as full-time staff and took up the challenge of setting up Aga Khan University School of Nursing an in-service training programme Alumni Standing Committee for Aswan nurses. Other alumni have supported this programme by Wishes to thank all those alumni and faculty providing technical assistance to who have contributed generously towards conduct needs assessments and make future strategies. AKU-SON 25th Anniversary Gift of an endowed Professorship to AKU School of Nursing Pakistan For those who have not yet had a chance to pledge can still do so! In the beginning, AKU-SON Please contact required technical assistance from Ms Rubina Barolia at [email protected] international universities for its or Ms Sharifa Lalani at [email protected] various programmes. With time, Co-chairs, AKU-SON Alumni Standing Committee the School has turned into a valuable partner providing
9 Second Generation of AKU Alumni
AKU-SON Alumnae Honoured Dr Khurshid Khowaja,’84, was invited at a meeting hosted by International Council of Nurses and World Health Organization (ICN/WHO) in Geneva on Nov 24-25, 2007 to reflect on her experience on ‘Education Service Gap’
Salma Jaffer, ’85 has been selected as International Surveyor for Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA).
Yasmin Mithani and Zohra Kurji, alumnae ’93 have been certified as International Board of Lactation Consultants (IBLCE).
For future issues, please keep us informed of your achievements on the Ms Samira A. Karim Kabani (left), RN Diploma’06, AKU’s first second- following email addresses: generation of alumni pictured at Alumni Reunion 2006 with her mother, Ms [email protected] or Roshanara Kabani (Dayani), RN Diploma’83, who was part of AKU’s first [email protected] graduating batch
AKU-SON Class of ’92 Alumni Reunion, Toronto
A number of AKU-SON Alumni from the Class of ’92 living in UK, US and Canada reunited in Toronto in May 2007 to celebrate 15 years of their graduation 10 Inside Kibera, There is Hope – Africa's Second Largest Slum
A million residents of Nairobi, including an AKU alumna, have been coping with the trauma of the recent unrest Lucia Buyanza grew up in Kibera Buyanza, who works in a clinic “It would be good to show the and is an alumna of Aga Khan on the edge of the slum, treated nation that not all the slum area University’s Advanced Nursing people like Mije for machete cuts is bad.” Programme in Nairobi. The full to the head and legs. Others came story was written by Rob in with poison-tipped arrows in “We, the youth, are having serious Remington and first published on their abdomens. “It was very bad,” prayer meetings in the evening to February 8, 2008 in The Calgary says Buyanza, who even at the seek God's forgiveness and see Herald. This edited article is height of the crisis walked to the each other as children of one printed with permission of the clinic every day from her home mother Kenya. There are banners author and The Calgary Herald. inside Kibera. of peace that have been prepared and so on Sunday we shall walk One week after he was treated for While most people cowered inside with them around the villages to a machete wound to the head, their tiny shacks, Buyanza walked show solidarity and peace in Zuberi Mije sits in an unlit room the deserted street to the clinic, Kibera.” in his tin-roofed shack in the sticking close to the roadside ditch Kibera slum and smiles. so she could dive into it for cover Although Buyanza is Catholic, should violence erupt. she credits her peace activism to “I am feeling much better,” he a non-denominational Ismaili says to nurse Lucia Buyanza, who “I was very scared.” Muslim organisation. treated his cut.“I am so thankful.” Buyanza says people are weary Lucia Buyanza is indeed a living After checking on her patient, of the violence. embodiment of a great tradition: Buyanza steps outside into the true nursing leadership. We salute sunlight, where a small garden On a regular week day, Kiberians her spirit and wish all manages to grow alongside Mije's had refused to heed another call communities peace. mud hut in Kibera, the second- for demonstrations, opting instead largest slum in Africa behind to return to work and send their “I took my nurse's training at Aga Soweto in Johannesburg. children to school. Khan University School of Nursing. It is unlike other nursing “You see this,” she says, touching If there is hope for Kibera, which schools because they teach you a small shrub. “Even in a place means “full of joy”, and for that you can be things like a nurse leader, or a nurse politician, or a like this, it is possible to grow Kenya, it lies with people like nurse journalist. I have chosen to flowers.” Buyanza and others like her. be a nurse leader.” The sprawling Kibera slum, home to more than one million people, saw neighbour turn against neighbour, and more than 1,000 have been killed in ethnic and tribal clashes.
Buyanza, 34, grew up in Kibera and is an alumna of Aga Khan University’s Advanced Nursing Programme (ANS) in Nairobi. Like Buyanza, many working nurses in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have been able to continue higher education up to BScN level, allowing them to remain at their workplaces as they pursue professional development. The programme focuses on issues relevant to the indigenous environment – conducting, for example, courses for HIV prevention, treatment and care.
11 How AKU-IED Helped Shape My Career
Having done my Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, I was determined to become a professional in pharmaceutical sales. Instead, I found myself teaching science subjects at a secondary school. My career began in 1992 at Government High School, Nokkundi, a far flung area in Balochistan. Though I was known as one of the few good teachers, my teaching practices were didactic. I considered my students as blank A view of the destruction after the 2005 earthquake that hit Pakistan’s slates, according to the orthodox northern areas where Mr Zulfiqar Ali Shah and his colleagues assisted concepts of learning, and laid too in rebuilding educational institutions much emphasis on traditional methods of teaching. However, IED as academic staff for a I have discovered it to be a life- my struggle for professional USAID project titled ‘Enhancing long commitment. development continued, as I Capacity of NGOs/CBOs in the availed a scholarship for Bachelors Education Sector of Sindh.’ Revitalizing, Innovating, of Education and simultaneously Strengthening Education (RISE) did my Masters in Urdu As a member of AKU-IED’s is a partnership of national and (Language) in 1995. instructional teams, I had the international bodies. This project opportunity to contribute in is facilitating the education sector In 1997, I began reflecting on the developing programmes, planning in the earthquake affected areas, developments taking place in the and organising teaching-learning i.e. Bagh, Muzaffarabad and field of education worldwide and material, facilitating sessions and Rawlakot districts of Azad Jammu sought to reconceptualise the monitoring and evaluating and Kashmir (AJ&K) and educational processes. Fortunately, programme participants’ needs Mansehra in the North Western I got selected for another and achievements. Frontier Province (NWFP) of scholarship for the Masters in Pakistan. Its target is to enhance Education (Teacher Education) My Chagai experience had helped capacity of education managers programme through a World Bank hone my professional skills, for effective and efficient decision funded project offered by Primary attributes; and relevance to the making, teacher education and Education Directorate in Quetta. context placed me in an ensuring community mobilisation My real personal and professional advantageous position for serving and participation in education. growth started at Aga Khan this area from AKU-IED’s University Institute for platform. The Institute sent me as I work as Education Management Educational Development (AKU- the District Coordinator in districts Specialist and I contribute towards IED) which nurtured me in a 25- Chagai and Noshki of Balochistan. the rebuilding process of month long intensive and inclusive earthquake affected areas as we professional development In this dynamic position, I organise and facilitate professional programme especially tailored for coordinated with district development opportunities in each in-service teachers. The Institute administration, education target district. played a pivotal role in honing my managers, officials, teacher personal and professional associations and others for As I look back, I feel my career attributes; and improving my successful implementation of with AKU-IED has contributed knowledge of concepts and AKU-IED’s programmatic immensely to my personal and professional practice. activities. I looked after the areas professional growth, while of academics, administration and allowing me the opportunity to After graduation in 1999, I finance. It is of vital importance serve at local and national levels. returned to Balochistan and began that the graduate students should My approach towards teaching teaching at a school in Chagai. be supported in the field to help and my students has undergone a The difference in my approach them effectively apply the significant change. It is also a was stark. I had become more knowledge they have gained at source of great satisfaction to find enthusiastic and skilful than the Institute. myself contributing to the before, trying to understand first development of remote and and be understood later. The year So, AKU-IED’s work goes disadvantaged areas where I have following that, equipped with beyond its own classrooms and worked. renewed spirit I was back at AKU- beyond the programme duration. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, MEd ’99
12 Reflections on My Visit to AKU and Pakistan
Stephen Seeling is the Vice President for Operations for the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). He visited Pakistan in December 2006 as a guest of Dr Adeel Butt and the Association of Physicians of Pakistani-descent in North America (APPNA). Since his visit to Pakistan and AKU, and even before that, he has been a tremendous resource for information regarding ECFMG, its credentialing process, and J-1 visas that are sponsored by ECFMG. AKU Alumni Association, North American Chapter is grateful to him for his time and efforts in helping our graduates.
Dr Adeel Butt shows Mr Stephen Seeling around Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, December 2006 Beyond the wonderful food and And of all the people I met, it is eating at a KFC in Lahore the spectacular sites, it is the the medical students and young (chicken and fries both decent) students and young physicians I physicians who will always stay staffed by individuals with will never forget. with me. speaking/hearing disabilities; visiting the Faisal Mosque in I was invited by Dr Adeel Butt on I had been in Pakistan for only a Islamabad, which accommodates behalf of the Association of few days when Dr Adeel Butt, Dr 100,000 worshippers; attending Physicians of Pakistani-descent of Piracha (President of APPNA) and being very impressed by a North America (APPNA) to and myself flew from Lahore to meeting of the Disciplinary participate in a series of seminars Karachi and visited AKU. A year Committee of the Pakistani for medical students and young after the trip, my memories are Medical and Dental Council. physicians at several medical still vivid: a gorgeous campus, a schools in Pakistan. I left tour of the very impressive But for me, a year after the visit, Philadelphia for Pakistan on hospital, a meeting with the senior I still remember the students and December 14, 2006, excited but leadership of the medical school, their hunger for information about unsure of what would come. I and one lasting impression – a ECFMG and entry into knew that I would be speaking at 5:30 PM visit to the medical postgraduate training in the United medical schools in Lahore, school library where a number of States. I still receive emails from Karachi, and Islamabad, and had enterprising AKU students were students I met during my visit – a good sense of what the audiences diligently reviewing preparation questions about USMLE, inquiries would want to know. I had done materials for USMLE. about how to get a residency, the obligatory research on the anxious questions about the geography, politics, and culture of There were other memories. process of getting a visa. Pakistan. And, of course, I had Seeing a Philadelphia cheese steak heard the admonitions to “be safe “with Philadelphia cheese” on the The students that I met at AKU and be careful.” But I was not menu of the restaurant in my and throughout Pakistan look to prepared for the overwhelming Lahore hotel; driving to the us for accurate, objective graciousness and hospitality of the Pakistani-Indian border at dusk to information. They rely on us. That people I met during my week long view the choreographed lowering is something we should all pledge stay. of the Pakistani and Indian flags; never to forget. 13 J-1 Waivers in a Nutshell
The simplest solution is to fulfil the sponsorship is required to qualify requirement by returning to one’s for a hardship waiver, the IMG country of citizenship or last must have a qualifying “anchor” permanent residence. This may be relative – a US citizen or done in increments and over a span permanent resident spouse or of several years. Depending upon child. For the hardship waiver, the eligibility, one can also postpone the IMG must explain how the anchor requirement by acquiring an relative(s) will suffer unusual alternative temporary visa such as and/or extreme hardship. The IMG J-2, O-1, TN, F-1, E-1, E-2 or E-3. must prove hardship to the anchor But if the long-term goal is to relatives if they were to remain in become a permanent resident, then the US without the J-1 physician the IMG should consider several and also if they were to waiver options. accompany the J-1 physician to the home country. It is important International Medical Graduates Federal agencies and state to explain how a combination of (IMGs) face a complex scheme departments of health collectively hardships will make the suffering of US immigration laws. This known as ‘interested government worse than that borne by an article will provide an overview agencies’(IGAs) grant the most average American separated from of options available to IMGs who common waivers. These waivers his/her family. In other words, the wish to remain in the US after include the Conrad State 30 Program; degree of hardship must be greater completing their training. Veterans Administration (VA); than loneliness, anxiety and Appalachian Regional Commission; altered financial circumstances. Most IMGs come to the US on Delta Regional Authority; and For a persecution waiver, the IMG J-1 visas for graduate medical Department of Health & Human must demonstrate that he or she training. J-1 visas are sponsored Services (HHS). would be subjected to persecution by the Educational Commission in the home country. This is a for Foreign Medical Graduates Generally, all IGA waiver requests higher standard than the “well- (ECFMG). Through its must be filed by an employer and founded fear” of persecution certification programme, ECFMG the place of employment must be in within the asylum context. assesses the readiness of IMGs to a Health Professional Shortage Area; enter residency or fellowship a Medically Underserved Area; or a Both hardship and persecution programmes. VA Hospital. The State Departments waivers may be filed at any time. of Health may grant five of the 30 The initial application is filed with Spouses and children may annual Conrad slots to non- the US Citizenship and accompany the J-1 physician to underserved locations. Most States Immigration Services (USCIS). the US on J-2 visas. Unlike most favour issuing waivers to primary If the USCIS determines that other dependent visas, J-2s entitle care physicians (e.g. internal hardship or persecution exists, the their holders to work authorisation. medicine, family practice, OB/GYN, State Department will then Once a physician and psychiatry or paediatrics), although balance the hardship or accompanying family members some may sponsor sub-specialists. persecution against the J-1 enter the US on the J visas, they Once the waiver is granted, the programme and policy. The are all required to return to their physician must work on a full-time benefit of one of these two waivers home country for two years before basis in the designated underserved over the IGA waivers is that the they can obtain an H or L visa, or area for at least 3 years on H-1B IMG is not required to complete permanent residency. It is also status. an additional three-year period of possible to become subject to this employment. Lastly, it is two-year home residence Physicians who are academic important to note that a waiver requirement by pursuing research researchers may apply for the HHS application is the first hurdle to sponsored by US or foreign Research Waiver. The physician permanent residency. The government agencies or by must be engaged in research of physician must still apply for an obtaining training in the US that national priority and interest to the immigrant visa through an is included in the State HHS. Accordingly, performing NIH- employment or family-based Department’s “Skills List”. It is funded research is important. The petition. For immigrant visa important to note that J-1 visitors IMG must show how s/he is essential options please visit who subsequently acquire to the programme, and the employer www.wolfsdorf.com or contact citizenship in another country must show that no replacement can Naveen at [email protected] must still fulfil the requirement in be found. Alternatively, the physician or (212) 899-5040. the original country of nationality may file a waiver based on or last permanent residence that exceptional hardship or fear of Naveen R. Bhora has conducted is listed on Form DS-2019. persecution. While no employer many seminars for IMGs.
14 AKU Alumni North-East Dinner
An AKU alumni dinner involving Pennsylvania, Washington DC and alumni residing in the north- even the UK. The highlight of the eastern US was held on August attendance was the presence of 11, 2007 in Manhattan. Adeel Butt, several AKU students doing Faiz Bhora and Rizwan Khalid electives in the United States. helped organise the event; however, most of the credit for The event highlights the this event’s success must be given tremendous enthusiasm for social to Hiba Arif and Naveen Bhora gatherings such as this and it helps for working out all the advance one of the most important arrangements that made this a truly goals of the Alumni Association; memorable event. that of mentoring current AKU students and introducing them at The dinner meeting was held at an early stage to the Alumni Dervish, a fine Turkish restaurant Association, an organisation we in NYC. Despite the short notice, hope they will be a part of for the about 50 alumni were able to rest of their lives. attend. These included alumni in training programmes as well as alumni in faculty positions in New Faiz Bhora, MBBS ’92 and York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Adeel A. Butt, MBBS ’90
15 What Alumni Want
Many of you may have recently filled out a web-based survey conducted by the University. The Demographics and Location of Alumni purpose of the survey was to get the latest alumni contact and career information, to invite feedback regarding their AKU Institute for Educational experience, to provide alumni Medical College Development with an opportunity to list their (induding PGME) 7.9% Others 2.4% 64.5% achievements, postgraduation, and AUS 1.0% to inquire as to how they would UK 5.8% like their relationship with their PAK 48.0% alma mater to develop further. AFG 10% A total of 965 alumni responses were recorded during the survey. USA 35.7% CAN 3.7% Centre for Below are the highlights from the U.A.E SAU English Language 1.1% 1.3% 0.3% survey results. School of Nursing 27.3%
Current Status of Alumni
90.0% 84.0% 80.0% 70.0% 61.0% 63.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Presently Received Additional Presently Interest in Employed Qualification Volunteering Volunteering Expertise at AKU
Reasons for Migrating Type of Migration
Permanent Quality of Life 43.8% 9.3% Better Professional Prospects 27.4% Family Commitment 18.5%
Further Training Temporary 44.8% 56.2%
16 Level of Satisfaction with AKU Experience
70.0% 65.5%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0% 29.6% 30.0%
20.0%
2.0% 1.9% 1.0% 10.0%
0.0% Very Satisfied Satisfied Neither Satisfied Somewhat Very Dissatisfied Nor Dissatisfied Dissatisfied
How Well Did AKU Prepare You for Further Training/Work?
Poor 0.4% Not at All 1.0% Adequate11.4%
Exceptionally 34.8%
VeryWell 53.6%
Contribution of AKU Education to Knowledge, Skills and Personal Development (on a scale of 1-5)
5.0 4.3 4.3 4.5 3.8 4.1 4.0 4.1 4.0 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 Communication Community Enhancing Leadership Thinking Identifying Developing Skills Service Intellectual Skills Analytically Moral and Self-Esteem, Curiosity and Logically Ethical Issues Self-Confidence
17 Areas to be Focused on in Future (on a scale of 1-5) 5.0 4.5 4.1 4.1 3.9 3.8 4.0 3.7 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 Faculty/Student Academic Engagement with Focus on Broad-based Interaction Advising Local Community Research Humanities Outside the Curriculum Classroom
Alumni Connection and Participation
Sense of Connection with AKU Attended AKU Events after Graduating (Reunions/Special Lectures, etc)
Somewhat Connected Yes 66.2% 45.4%
Extremely Connected 12.8% Very No Connected 54.6% 21.0%
Preferred Programmes and Services (on a scale of 1-5)
4.5 4.2 4.0 3.9 4.0 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6
3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 Alumni Free Lifetime Social Professional Password Benefits Mentoring Newsletter aku.edu email Events Development Protected Programme Programme account Activities Online alumni with Current Database Students
18 Summary of Survey Suggested Alumni Association Objectives Findings (on a scale of 1-5) 4.5 AKU alumni responded to the survey from 19 countries spread 4.0 over five continents, the 3.5 majority of whom were from Pakistan (48%) and United 3.0 States (35.7%). The Medical 2.5 College alumni were 2.0 responsible for 65% of all responses, the School of 1.5 Nursing alumni added a further 1.0 Communication Provide Oraganise Help Recruit Raise Funds Raise Funds 27%, while the Institute for Link between Social Alumni to Work Students for for Educational Development AKU Activities on Community Scholarships Programmes and its Graduates for Alumni Service alumni contributed almost 8% Projects to the survey response.
Alumni were quite pleased with When asked how connected to receive email notification of their overall AKU experience alumni presently feel with the Special Lectures, Seminars and with over 95% reporting “Very University, 12.8% felt “Extremely Symposia organised at AKU’s Satisfied” or “Satisfied”. In Connected”, 21% felt “Very campuses. terms of future focus, alumni Connected”, while 66.2% felt only The alumni have spoken. While felt that “Focusing on “Somewhat Connected”. Less an overwhelming majority felt Research” and “Academic than half of alumni responding that AKU has trained them well, they are not very well connected Advising” were most important (45.4%) reported ever attending and would like to see more to them, followed by a reunion or any other University activity on the alumni front. They “Faculty/Student Interaction event after graduating. Over all, would like to stay connected, and outside the Classroom”, 93.5% of alumni requested either as per the wishes of the majority, “Engagement with Local a printed or electronic version of this magazine is an attempt to Community”, and “Broad- AKU Newsletter and the Alumni bring the alumni family closer based Humanities Curriculum”. Newsletter while 82.9% asked together.
Aga Khan University Medical College Welcomes its Alumni to 25th Anniversary Celebrations and Grand Alumni Reunion
December 18, 2008 AKU-MC – Its Journey into the 21st Century ! Seminar focusing on advancing education, research and health care at AKU (For details and suggestions: [email protected])
December 19, 2008 Health Sciences Research Assembly Poster Display (AKU will assist with production of posters) Documentary evidence of participation will be provided Deans Forum; discussion panel including former Medical College Deans (For more information: [email protected])
December 20, 2008 Medical College Beach Party (For more information: [email protected])
with more events being planned!
Your suggestions are welcome at [email protected]
19 AKU-IED Alumni Reunion 2007
addressed the alumni gathering and highlighted the purpose of the reunion and also shared a message from Dr Muhammad Memon, Director, AKU-IED. Over tea and refreshments, there was a gallery tour of alumni photographs, messages from out-of-town alumni, display of alumni contributions in their fields, and a report on the results of the first electronic survey of AKU alumni. Thus concluded AKU-IED session of the Alumni Reunion, after which alumni left for the Stadium Road campus for a joint alumni gathering. During the joint evening session, AKU-IED alumni reunion was Zakia Elahi !!! AKU-IED alumni played an held on Friday, December 7, MEd ’07 !! active role with Ms Sultana Ali 2007. The alumni organising Lecturer, Elementary College of Norozi delivering the opening committee at AKU-IED Education, F.B. Area, Karachi remarks, and Ms Tasneem organised the reunion into four Shabbar sharing her post MEd concurrent sessions: Manzoor Naz Vindhani!! experiences. 1. Mini Maths ADISM ’01!!! 2. Mela Premier Public School, Alumni Reunion 2007, in 3. Educating for Active Sharifabad, F.B.Area, Karachi addition to providing the ideal Citizenship in your opportunity for alumni to meet Schools/Institutions, and Wahid Yar Khan!! old friends and colleagues, also 4. Creating a Digital Story and ADISM ’02 Ex. DOE Sec. and served an important purpose with Life After AKU-IED. Higher Sec.(Male), Karachi alumni and the University renewing their important bond. Towards the end of the unit-level In addition, two selected videos activities, Ms Rana Hussain, related to His Highness’ Muhammad Nadim Farooqui, Acting Director, AKU-IED, important contributions were MEd ’99 shown to alumni with the purpose of updating them with His Highness’ vision of the Aga Khan Development Network. One of the significant elements of the reunion was the election of new AKU-IED alumni representatives. Through a very transparent process, the following alumni representatives have been elected for two years from December 2007 to November 2009: - Member, Central Executive Committee, AKU Alumni Association: Muhammad Nadim Farooqui MEd ’99 Instructor, AKU-IED!!!!!
- Members, AKU-IED Unit Working Committee Rakhshinda Meher!! MEd ’95!! Instructor, AKU-IED
20 Alumni Reunion 2007
Dr Mumtaz Khan, MBBS ’92, hosting the Joint Session Dr Umer Darr, MBBS ’92, asks a question during Medical College Session
Alumni attending the Joint Session at AKU Auditorium
AKU-SON alumni at Alumni Reunion Nursing alumni at AKU-SON Session 2007 dinner 21 Alumni Reunion 2007
Q&A Panel at the Joint Session
Mr Justice Sarmad J. Osmany, Member, AKU Board of Trustees, and Mr Firoz Rasul, President, Aga Khan University, sharing a lighter moment with alumni, Dr Rozina Karmaliani and Ms Fauzia Pesnani over dinner 22 MBBS Class of 1997 Reunion
All alumni received a keepsake bookmark to commemorate the occasion, as well as a yearbook with profiles and pictures, which included input from many alumni who were unable to personally attend the event. Keepsake quilts were also sold, and the proceeds gifted towards books for AKU Library. We also pledged to stay connected as a cohesive body, and followed through on that The Class of 1997 held a ten year formal dinner reception with a resolution by establishing a class reunion in Chicago, IL on the slide show. The guests were all database and starting class forums weekend of August 10, 2007. Of staying at the same hotel, allowing on Facebook and Yahoo! groups. the 58 graduates from the class, for plenty of time for friends to there were 29 alumni present at catch up with each other in smaller Overall, the decade reunion for the reunion. With spouses and groups as well. Groups of alumni the Class of 1997 was a children, there were well in were found to be shooting the resounding success, and has us all excess of 80 people present. The breeze at all hours of night waiting eagerly for the next reunion was highlighted by a throughout the weekend in the gathering in ten or even five years’ lakeside family picnic and a hotel lobby. time.
“That Fleeting Thought is Worth Pursuing” I have so many fleeting thoughts. who moved us on when we In fact, I must dig out that ‘fleeting loitered where we shouldn’t have, thoughts’ book I bought in which and the sense of belonging is to write them down – a rich, dark suddenly overpowering. The sense leather bound volume to keep for of ownership, and commitment to reflections in my old age. At the the aims and philosophy of the moment, I’m doing well if I university re-ignite, and I feel a manage to jot them down on scraps surge of enthusiasm to live up to, of paper or in various notebooks. and exceed, the best it nurtured in I am usually impressed, when I me. come across one of these notes months, or years later, that I had The notice boards are a testament are similarly motivated and such a good idea, and maybe a to the flourishing student life. supportive – everyone does their little guilty that so much time has There is so much going on! I make bit, and hey presto! Success! And passed, and I have not got around a mental note of my fleeting so it is with the future aims of to doing anything about it, even thoughts – to set up a fund to AKU, a remarkable amount forgotten what I had intended. A support a student in need, to achieved, and still greater things flurry of inspiration and activity donate a journal subscription, or to strive for. What better team to fills me with the desire to fulfill to set up a travel fund for AKU support it than us, AKU alumni, the idea, and then life, work, family women’s sports teams. When I who have spread all over the take over and the brilliant idea is first saw the sports facilities, the world – thinkers, leaders and team forgotten again. pool, the sports hall, I was filled players in our own fields, armed with pride. And envy – I wish I’d with ability, talents, and most And so to my recent trip to Karachi had such facilities in my day. importantly, a shared vision. and AKU campus. I wander Whether we contribute time, around, remembering when the AKU has gone on to achieve so expertise, financial support or campus opened in 1985 and we many of the things we knew it networking, AKU alumni can go were taller than the young trees aimed for, back when the campus with AKU on its journey into the now towering above me. I feel like opened in 1985. Not just in one future. a stranger at first, I don’t know any country or faculty, but many of the faces; and then I meet some countries and many faculties. But Which takes me back to my faculty members who had taught much still remains to be done. opening line – those fleeting me, the student affairs staff who thoughts. Worth pursuing. looked after us, the weather beaten Sometimes things come together and aged face of one of the guards when we work with people who Rahila Zakir, MBBS ’90 23 Moving Back to Pakistan?
and bridge the transition for future research, I discovered that I had repatriates. a passion for scientific inquiry and investigation. This degree of I think that all AKU graduates realisation, of course, can only need to know that moving back materialise once one has had an to Pakistan is a viable option. opportunity to be part of an active There are prospects outside research enterprise and, as such, AKUH and indeed it is I am happy to counsel people who unreasonable to expect your alma approach me towards available mater to absorb all its graduates. opportunities with a cautionary note that if they do end up getting That is the question that I believe Umer Darr, MBBS ’92. bitten by the “research” bug, their all Pakistanis living abroad ask Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery residency plans may fade into themselves and why not. The Tabba Heart Institute, Karachi distant memory. answer is not always in the This article was written before the affirmative and that is ok. events of December 2007 For those who reach the However, to go through the conclusion that their career path exercise even if only in your head Research or No lies in the laboratory and not the is worth the effort. Research: That is the clinic, the academic maze can Question! seem confusing and The path to any major life decision overwhelming. usually can take one of two approaches; either plan things to However, the myth that should be a tee and then embark on your dispelled is that a PhD is necessary chosen journey or throw caution for pursuing a successful career to the wind, jump head-long first, as an academic scientist. While it burn-your-boats and let the chips is true that pursuing education fall where they may. I, for one, towards a doctorate is a very chose the latter. When you have positive endeavour as it allows limited options, you tend to make for formal schooling in the proper the one you have got, work for Every year I receive numerous methodology of scientific inquiry, you. inquiries from current AKU there are many examples of top- students and recent graduates calibre physician-scientists who With this simple plan I moved regarding their desire to spend did not obtain a PhD. back to Pakistan three years ago. time in a basic sciences research To make matters more interesting, laboratory setting. Most Grant funding applications, faculty when I approached AKUH for a commonly, I encounter situations (and tenure) appointments, as well position in cardiac surgery, I was where the motivation behind as general recognition by scientific encouraged to explore the seeking a research opportunity is peers is based upon objective possibility of working at a hospital solely to enhance one’s CV from criteria pertaining to the called Tabba Heart Institute, a the perspective of presenting a contribution of your work to the hospital that was a year away from more competitive residency field. While having a PhD can opening its doors to patients. application. I would like to stress make it easier to land that first Despite the prospect of being that, in my opinion, there is postdoctoral research fellowship, clinically dormant for almost a nothing wrong with that – indeed at the end of the day it is your year, I felt that the Institute was that was the motivation behind publications and the impact that the best option for me. Since I got my own initial foray into science. they have on the work of other involved in the pre-clinical phases Nevertheless, it is important to scientists that will determine your of planning, construction, emphasise that basic science is a standing and success. By far the procurement, recruitment, training very serious discipline requiring most important requirement for and implementation – the immense dedication and patience. pursuing a scientific career is to challenges were tremendous. As such, it is essential for students find a good mentor who has a and junior alumni to approach track-record of training successful I don’t think that this would have such opportunities with a measure scientists and who can take you been a success story had I been of introspection as it is both under his or her wing as you gain on my own and that is where AKU denigrating and disingenuous to the necessary experience and grapevine gets the credit of getting ascribe to oneself an interest in insight to launch yourself towards Bashir Hanif ’91 and I together to scientific research that upon an independent scientific career. get this new institution off the simple probing clearly turns out Moneeb Ehtesham, MBBS ’99 ground. AKU Alumni Association to be false. Soon after my Asst. Professor of Neurological can make this bond even stronger transition into the world of basic Surgery, Vanderbilt University
24 AKU Alumni Class Notes
Critical Care at Brotman Medical Professor of Surgery at the Center. He is married to Rozmin Harvard Medical School (plus (AKU-SON alumna) and they Associate Professor at the have two children. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, 1989 MD). He is also Director of Research in the Division of Saira Yusoof, now known as Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Saira Ahsan, finished her Surgical Critical Care, paediatric residency in 1994 and Massachusetts General Hospital, has been working in rural Virginia and Program Director for the since then. She is married to Zafar Surgical Critical Care Fellowship who is a psychiatrist and they have at the MGH. He is married and two boys Zain and Belal aged 10 has two daughters. and 6 years respectively. 1991 We are delighted to share with you Arif R. Sarwari is an Associate news that has been sent to us from Professor, Section of Infectious Gulzar Merchant (formerly our alumni from around the world. Diseases and an Associate known as Gulzar Bhatia) is This section will be a permanent Program Director, Internal married and living in South feature of all future editions of the Medicine Residency Program at Carolina. She has two kids. She newsletter and magazine. We West Virginia University, is a Rheumatologist and her encourage you to share news about Morgantown. He is married and current position is Assistant yourselves, particularly your has two children. Professor at Greenville Hospital personal and professional System, University Medical accomplishments. All Tahseen Mozaffar, trained as Center. contributions should be sent to neurologist with specialisation in [email protected]. Please include Neuromuscular Disorders from 1992 your full name, year of graduation Washington University in and contact information. St. Louis. He has also served as Mumtaz Jamshed Khan is Head faculty in Neurology and of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Faiz Bhora, MBBS ’92 Pathology at AKU from 1997- Surgery Section, Associate Editor, AKU-NAMA 2000 and since 2000 has been on Professor at Aga Khan University, full-time faculty at University of Karachi. He is married to Sadaf 1988 California, Irvine. Tahseen is Khan. Sadaf trained in General currently an Associate Professor Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery Rabia Bhatti (Pirzada) writes, in Neurology and Director of the in the US. She is an Assistant "I am a general surgeon, with Neuromuscular programme within Professor, Department of Surgery special interest in breast surgery the Department of Neurology and at Aga Khan University. She and am working in a private group the Director of the UC Irvine- commented, “At 20, I planned to setting in Chicago, IL. I was MDA ALS and Neuromuscular retire at 40. It ain’t gonna happen!” recently featured for breast cancer Center. He has published over two They have three children: Ariella awareness month on TV WGN dozen original articles, including J Khan, 9, Aurhan J Khan, 7, and Channel 9, ABC Channel 7 and articles in the New England Safwan J Khan, 4. They moved Radio WLIT 93.9 FM. I am the Journal of Medicine and Lancet back to Karachi in May 2006, Director of Breast Center at Our Neurology. Tahseen is married to which Mumtaz wrote is “a Lady of Resurrection Hospital Farah Haque Mozaffar since 1995 decision of the heart and not of Chicago. I have two kids, 12 and and they have two children, the mind”. 7, and live in Glenview, IL (a Meyhad (12 years) and Izza suburb of Chicago). You can see (9 years). Saira Asadullah trained in one of my TV segments on Internal Medicine and sub- YouTube.” 1990 specialised in Geriatric Medicine. She is currently Omar Tirmizi is working in Mohammad Intakhab Paracha working at Barnes Jewish Saint private practice in Beverly Hills, is in private practice in Oklahoma Peters Hospital in Saint Peters, California, and specialises in City. He sub-specialises in Missouri. She is married to IM/PULM/CCM and Sleep. He is Pulmonary, Critical Care and Faisal Ahmed, who is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at Sleep Medicine. He is married trained in Internal Medicine. UCLA and is Chief of and has three children. Faisal is a Medical Director at Pulmonology at Century City Advance Correctional Health Hospital. He is also Chairman of Hasan B. Alam is an Associate Care Company. They have three 25 Class Notes children: Fareeha 9 years old, Professor of Medicine at the Zeeshan 6 years old, and Zaara 9 University of Pittsburgh with months old. expertise in EUS, and is the Chief Sohail Ahmed Usman recently of GI division at the VA. He just finished his Nephrology published the American fellowship from Indiana Gastroenterology Association's University and joined a group at guidelines for management of Methodist Hospital in pancreatic cysts. I am a non- and Cardiology at the University Indianapolis. He is married and invasive cardiologist and work in of Rochester School of Medicine has two daughters, Zubia 7 and part-time private practice. The rest and Dentistry. He lives in Leena 4. of the time I am working on my Rochester, NY with wife Faiza PhD in human genetics in the Faiz Bhora is a Thoracic Surgeon and two daughters, Sahar and Department of Molecular Genetics at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Sarah. and Biochemistry at the University Center in New York City. He is of Pittsburgh”. an Assistant Professor of Clinical Adnan Bhutta and Iram Surgery at Columbia University Bakhtawar are married and live Khaver Kirmani finished a College of Physicians and in Little Rock, Arkansas with their Neonatology Fellowship from Surgeons. Faiz did a general beautiful kids. Adnan is a Women and Children's Hospital surgery residency at George Paediatric Intensivist. His current of Buffalo, NY. He recently joined Washington University Medical positions are Assistant Professor a Neonatal group in private Center and cardiothoracic of Paediatrics at the University of practice in Phoenix, AZ. residency and fellowships at He married Tazeen in 2000 and UCLA and the University of they have a three-year-old Pennsylvania. Faiz is married to daughter named Shanze. Naveen who is an immigration attorney. They recently met up 1994 with Mubina Gaffar and her husband Najeeb Sherwani, Asad Ansari and Adeela Alizai Nadeem Haq and his wife (class of ‘95) are married and have Ayesha, Monira Kundi (formerly three daughters. Asad is currently Hamid) and her husband Azam finishing a paediatric pulmonary Kundi. Faiz, Adeel Butt and fellowship at University of Hiba Arif organised an AKU Alabama at Birmingham. alumni reunion in New York last August, which was attended by Shema Ahmad is an well over 40 alumni. Endocrinologist and is married to an Internist named Tauqeer Adnan Siddiqui, is an Assistant Yousuf. Both of them are currently Professor of Neurosurgery and working in a private hospital in Radiology at University at Buffalo, Arkansas for Medical Sciences Jackson, Mississippi. They have New York. Adnan did a PhD in (UAMS), and Director of the two boys named Zaed, 9, and Neuroscience from University of CVICU at Arkansas Children’s Hasan, 4. Rochester, New York, then a Hospital. Iram is a Pulmonologist Residency in Neurosurgery at and Intensivist. She also has a Khalid Matin writes, “ASAK Upstate Medical University in Master’s degree in Public Health. classmates and alumni. I am Syracuse, New York, followed by She is currently the Section Chief currently a medical oncologist in a Fellowship in Neurovascular of the Tuberculosis Program- private practice in Alabama. I am surgery, Interventional Arkansas Department of Health happily married and have two kids Neuroradiology and Neurocritical and an Assistant Professor of who keep us entertained and busy. Care from Thomas Jefferson Medicine at UAMS. I had the pleasure of attending the University in Philadelphia, PA. recent AKU convocation and got Adnan has been happily married Maliha Zahid wrote, “Just writing goose bumps when the graduates for nine years to Josephine and to give some news about myself read the oath. Hope you all are their children are Fatima Francesca and Asif Khalid, both (Class of doing well, keep in touch.” 8 years, Mohamed Giovanni 6 1993). We got married in May years and Hasan Felice 6 weeks. 1995 and have been married 12.5 1995 years. We have two boys aged 9 1993 and 6 years, Emmad and Aman. Adeela M. Alizai married Asad Imran N. Chaudhary is an Asif is an academic Ansari (Class of 1994) in March Assistant Professor of Medicine gastroenterologist, Assistant of 2002. They have three young 26 Class Notes daughters named Marium, Aida residency. I have cleared both my She is currently a fellow in and Hala. Adeela is augmenting FCPS and MRCGP (int’l) exams Neonatology at Penn State her neurology and neuro- and will soon be joining AKU part University. ophthalmology training with an time as a lecturer and student ophthalmology residency at health physician. Dr Shahina Fatima Chaudhri is currently Temple University in Philadelphia. Abedine if you all remember is doing part time medicine work retiring and I will be coming in and is in the process of Jazibeh Qureshi is a Consultant her place. I live in Karachi with establishing a franchised business. and Rheumatologist Lecturer at my husband and two children, a Her husband is currently doing a AKU. She is married to Shoaib boy and a girl and they keep me PhD at the University of Warwick Mastoor and has two sons, Yusuf, very busy and happy.” and they live in a little village just 6, and Hassaan, 5. outside of Coventry in the UK. Saira Nizami Khawaja Jawad F. Kirmani is presently completed an internship and Atika Faiz is happily married to working in the capacity of Director general surgery residency at AKU Wirasat Hasnain (Dow class of of Interventional Stroke, and in 2004. She and her husband 1998). She is the mother of a Neurocritical Care Unit at Kamran Mohiuddin Khawaja three-year-old named Moosa. She UMDNJ in Newark, NJ. His moved to southwest Wales in lives in Boston and is doing wife’s name is Sara and they have August 2005. She is presently clinical research at St. Elizabeth's 2 kids, Ranya, 5, and Ayman, 2. specialising in breast surgery. Hospital. She has applied for Kamran graduated from Dow internal medicine residency this 1996 Medical College and also year. She writes, “I still love to completed his general surgery eat (especially meetha) and still Yousha Mirza is an Assistant residency from AKU in 2003. He hate to cook! I am having a lot of Professor of Psychiatry at Wayne is specialising in vascular surgery. fun but miss Pakistan...Salam to State University School of all.” Medicine and a Child & Saima Perwaiz Iqbal is living in Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Islamabad and working at Shifa 1999 Children's Hospital of Michigan. College of Medicine as Assistant He is married to Farah Khan Professor of Community Zahid Afridi writes, “Working as (class of 2000) and they have a Medicine. She is also a mother of an outpatient-only family two-and-a-half year old son named two sons, Ahad aged 6 and Aman physician in Beaverton, Oregon. Zohayr. They live in Windsor, aged 1•. Fulfilled my J-1 waiver obligation Canada, and both Yousha and his in September this year (yeah).” wife commute across the border to work at Children's Hospital. 1998 Babar S. Hasan is currently doing Yousha is exploring working as a a paediatric cardiology fellowship Child Psychiatrist in Canada like Asif Sharfuddin is an Assistant at Children's Hospital Boston, his older brother Rida (Class of Professor of Clinical Harvard Medical School. Babar 1993). Medicine Transplant has an 18-month-old daughter Nephrology at named Zara Hasan. Tamseel Awan is married and has Indiana University School of three daughters. After working in Medicine in Indianapolis, IN. Talha Malik is doing internal IT for a few years after graduation, He is married to Hala Fatima medicine waiver in Union Springs, he restarted his training and is now who is an Assistant Professor Alabama. Talha is married. a Family Physician in the UK. of Clinical Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology Maryam Naim completed her Syed Nasim Ahmed is an Indiana University School of paediatric critical care fellowship Invasive Cardiologist in a multi- Medicine. They have two and is now a fellow in Paediatric specialty group in Modesto, children: Zoha Fatima Aziz Cardiac Intensive Care, California. He is married and has age 4 • years, and Zayaan Asif Department of Anaesthesiology one daughter and two sons. Aziz, age 4 months. 2000 1997 Shoaib Sheikh specialises in Hand/Microvascular/General Yasmin Luni wrote, “It is very Kishwar Jamal (formerly Surgery. He is married and nice to know that there is an AKU Kishwar Sultana Brohi) sends has two children. They reside alumni group in Europe as well. her salaams to everyone and in Arizona. I have completed my OB/GYN writes, “After graduating, I training in AKU and I am completed my internship at AKU Faizah Bhatti is married and has currently working in the UK.” followed by a family medicine two children, Daniyal and Ayaan. Farah Khan is married to Yousha
27 Class Notes
Mirza (Class of 1996). They have the effect of co-infection and John A. Moran Eye Center, a two-and-a-half year old son cervicovaginal fluid on HIV-1 University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Zohayr and live in Windsor, infection in immortalised vaginal Canada. Both Farah and Yousha epithelial cells (bench research). Zarrish Khan sent the following commute across the border to In terms of personal news, she is update on the class of 2005, “The work at Children's Hospital. married to Shahid Aziz, and has best grad, Sameen, is matching a two-and-half-year-old daughter this year. Moiz got engaged and M. Adil Khan, ST2 Plastic named Safiyyah Aziz. They are is matching this year. Asif Surgery, Chelsea & Westminster expecting their second child in Anwarali is resident in West Hospital in London. 2008. They live in Apple Virginia University. IM is now Valley, MN. engaged to his cousin in Alabama. (Editor’s note: Only in Alabama!) 2002 Madiha Mustafa has been blessed with a daughter and Saba Shakir Ejaz is a first year Mansoor with a son. Pulmonary Critical Care fellow at University of Maria Hussain and Amna Zaki Minnesota. He is married to are both married now and are both Sameea Sadiq (Class of doing residencies in Canada in 2004). Psychiatry and Emergency Medicine. Sarosh, Fariha Ahsan, Mohammad Zeeshan Aimen recently got married. Qamar is currently doing a fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Pittsburgh. He got married in 2004 and has a daughter named Zaynah, who is now two years old. He notes that there are quite a few AKU alumni Kamran Javaid is a PGY-2 in Pittsburgh although the Internal Medicine Resident at numbers have gone down Weiss Memorial Hospital, compared to last year. He is University of Chicago. Kamran is hoping to return to Pakistan selected to be the Chief Resident within the next three to four (June 2009). He is married and years. living in Chicago, IL. 2004 Mehru (unnisa) finished her MPH Ayesha Rashid is currently in her in Australia and also got engaged. second year of an Infectious Sameea Sadiq is currently Zarrish (me) is doing internship Diseases Fellowship at the a PGYII internal medicine in Surgery at UT Southwestern and University of Minnesota. Her resident at University of that's the only thing going on in professional milestones include Minnesota She is applying my life these days :) research investigating for a nephrology fellowship for 2009. She is married to Shakir Ejaz, (Class of Older updates: Ayesha Nasrullah, 2002). Ayesha Sajid, Umara Ali, Uzer Sherdil, Rashid and Maleeha, Muhammad Umar Jawad Danish and Sumbul got married. wrote, “Hello, this is OJ, currently working at UMiami as a postdoc 2006 in the department of Orthopaedics. Other than that, everything else is Saad Siddiqui is studying for pretty much the same as it was ECFMG Certification to catch the during my time at AKU.” match.
2005 Wajiha Javed is currently studying for her US exams. She did an Yureeda Qazi has taken her internship at Aga Khan University “Fight For Sight” Postdoctoral this year and is aiming for the Research Fellowship grant at the match 2008-9. 28 The 2007 Match Result for Medical College Alumni
29 Match Result 2007
30 Join the Family, Become a Member!
If you would like be become active in AKU’s ever growing and vibrant Alumni Association, and contribute to its mission, please take a moment to become a member. Please mail the completed form (and membership dues, if applicable) to the address listed, according to your location. AKU Alumni Association Membership Form
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North America: Pakistan: Mail to: Faiz Bhora, Mail to: Office of !! Aga Khan University 2 Columbus Avenue, # 10B, Alumni Affairs, Aga Khan New York, NY 10023, USA University Stadium Road, Celebrating 25 years PO Box 3500, Karachi The annual dues for Medical 74800 1983-2008 College alumni are US$ 50. Pakistan Please make the check to AKU Alumni Association, and mail Annual Dues for Alumni in Grand Alumni Reunion with your completed form. Please Pakistan all programmes note: These dues are used only PKR 100 for first year alumni; for activities of the North PKR 250 for alumni graduated American Chapter of AKU Karachi, December 15-21, 2008 2-4 years ago; and PKR 500 for Alumni Association, and must be approved by the elected regional alumni who graduated 5 years Please mark your calendar for ago or more. the weeklong celebrations! officers. For more information, contact the alumni office: [email protected] Europe: Mail to: Rahila Zakir, ! c/o 184 Friern Road, ! Dulwich, London SE22 0BA, UK
31 A Graduating Class Celebrates Its Big Day
Aga Khan University Alumni Association Stadium Road P. O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan Telephone: 493-0051, Fax: ++92 21-493-4294 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.aku.edu/alumni
32 PRINTED AT ELITE E-mail: [email protected]