Provost
Aga Khan University Provost Candidate Pack – May 2015
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Founded by His Highness the Aga Khan and chartered in 1983, the Aga Khan University (AKU) is an international higher education institution operating on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access. With nearly 2,500 students spread across campuses and programmes in six countries, the University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. AKU is currently seeking a dynamic and creative new Provost who will provide strategic guidance and leadership to the University. Based in East Africa, this individual will succeed Professor Greg Moran as the Chief Academic Officer of the University around the world. The successful candidate will be expected to possess extensive knowledge and leadership experience in the administration of educational institutions, with a distinguished record of scholarship. S/he will be required to understand excellence in international education and to identify closely with the mission of the Aga Khan University. Applications should consist of a CV, accompanied by a covering letter addressing the criteria in the Person Specification. These can be uploaded at www.society-search.com. The deadline for the receipt of applications is midday (GMT) on DATE TBC
THE AGA KHAN
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), became Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. Like his grandfather Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan before him, the Aga Khan has, since assuming the office of Imamat in 1957, been concerned about the well-being of all Muslims, particularly in the face of the challenges of rapid historical changes. THE AGA KHAN DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
Founded and guided by His Highness the Aga Khan, AKDN brings together a number of development agencies, institutions, and programmes that work primarily in the poorest parts of Asia and Africa. AKDN is a contemporary endeavour of the Ismaili Imamat to realise the social conscience of Islam through institutional action with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities. AKDN works in 30 countries around the world. It employs approximately 80,000 people, the majority of whom are based in developing countries. AKDN’s average annual budget for nonprofit development activities is approximately $600 million USD. THE AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY
Since it was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan and chartered in 1983, the Aga Khan University (AKU) has been making a difference in the developing world by enabling promising young men and women to realize their potential and by creating innovative solutions to pressing problems. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. It has nearly 2,500 students and 13,000 staff, spread across campuses and programmes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access. Inspired by Islamic ethics, humanistic ideals, and the philosophy of the Aga Khan Development Network, the University is committed to building an environment that fosters intellectual freedom, distinction in scholarship, pluralism, compassion, and humanity’s collective responsibility for a sustainable physical, social and cultural environment. AKU seeks to enhance its activities through ongoing partnerships with prestigious overseas institutions. It also collaborates with third party organisations in order to further its commitment to strengthening female-oriented professions such as nursing and teaching (50% of students in AKU’s Medical College are women). AKU is a non-denominational institution open to all, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender or national origin. It seeks to teach the skills of critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving, while inculcating moral reasoning, ethics and respect for others. By doing so, it aims to be a force for pluralism.
Vision AKU will be an autonomous, international institution of distinction, primarily serving the developing world and Muslim societies in innovative and enduring ways. Mission AKU is committed to the development of human capacities through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, and application through service. It seeks to prepare individuals for constructive and exemplary leadership roles, and shape public and private policies, through strength in research and excellence in education, all dedicated to providing meaningful contributions to society. To advance this mission, AKU will:
offer programmes of international quality; respond to identified needs in the countries and regions which it serves; prioritise teaching and research which will inform and underpin intellectual innovation and change; provide service to advance its educational and research mandate; foster and develop leadership capacity through its education and research programmes; assess its impact and effectiveness; promote access and equity by taking positive measures to make the University inclusive of all socioeconomic groups, addressing the particular needs and circumstances of the disadvantaged, and promoting the welfare and advancement of women; engage in knowledge networking and emerging technologies; add value by promoting partnership and networking across the AKDN and with other national and international institutions.
AKU’s Senior Management AKU’s senior management team is made up of:
President - Firoz Rasul; Provost – Dr Greg Moran ; Registrar – Louis R. Ariano ; Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer – Al-Karim Haji; Vice President, Human Resources – Carol Ariano; Dean, Medical College, Pakistan – Dr. Farhat Abbas; Foundation Dean, Medical College, Nairobi – Dr. Robert Armstrong; Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan – Dr. Raisa Gul; Chief Executive Officer, AKU Hospital, Karachi - Mr. Johannes Theodorus Kedzierski; Chief Executive Officer, AKU Hospital, Nairobi - Ms Asmita Gillani; Director, Institute for Educational development, Nairobi – Dr Joe Lugalla; Interim Director, Institute for Educational development, Karachi – Dr. Afzal Tajik; Director, Examination Board – Dr. Shehzad Jeeva; Dean – Research & Graduate Studies – Dr. El-Nasir Lalani; Director, Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations – Dr. David Taylor.
Academic Entities AKU’s academic portfolio consists of the following entities:
Aga Khan University East African Institute; Aga Khan University Examination Board; Aga Khan University Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Aga Khan University Faculty of Health Sciences; Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications; Aga Khan University Institutes for Educational Development; Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development; Aga Khan University Institute for Study of Muslim Civilisations; Aga Khan University Medical Colleges; Aga Khan University Schools of Nursing and Midwifery.
Pakistan Pakistan was when AKU was founded, and where the majority of its students still study today. Over the past 30 years, AKU has built a reputation in Pakistan for excellence in teaching and learning. With programmes in educational development, medicine, nursing and midwifery, the University aims to inspire young researchers and professionals to become forces of positive change in their communities. One of the most significant transformations currently taking place at AKU is the planned establishment of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Once completed, this 1,100-acre campus located north of Karachi will encompass undergraduate liberal arts and graduate programmes in a residential community environment. The establishment of this campus represents a major step towards becoming a fully comprehensive higher education institution.
East Africa Almost 30% of AKU’s worldwide student body is enrolled in programmes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. And this number is growing. Over the next 15 years, the Aga Khan University will be investing $700 million USD in the region. This includes the newly opened $46 million USD Heart and Cancer Centre at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, and the upcoming $250 million USD Faculty of Health Sciences. These investments complement the University’s existing degree programmes in medicine, nursing and educational development that have been in operation since 2004, as well as a tertiary care hospital that was established in 1958. The United Kingdom Based in London, AKU’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations aims to strengthen research and teaching about the heritage of Muslim societies, with specific attention to the challenges these societies face in contemporary settings. The Institute seeks to provide a multifaceted approach to the study of Muslim peoples through a framework of world cultures, the humanities and social sciences.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
The Aga Khan University is seeking a dynamic and creative individual who will provide strategic guidance and leadership as the institution’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer. Based in East Africa, the Provost is responsible for overseeing the quality and operation of all academic programmes of the University, and for formulating and implementing academic policy in conjunction with the Deans of the Faculties and Directors of the Institutes. The Provost is accountable to and works in very close partnership with the President of the Aga Khan University. S/he will oversee the budgets and financial stability of the academic components of the University. The post holder will also preside over the Academic Council and chair other academic, consultative, and research forums. Reporting to the Provost are the Deans and Directors of the respective Colleges, Schools and Institutes throughout AKU across South Asia, East Africa, and Europe, two Vice Provosts, the University Registrar & Associate Vice-Provost (Student Experience), the University Librarian, and other academic leaders. Specific responsibilities will include:
planning and developing existing and new academic programmes of the faculties and institutes of AKU in conjunction with other officers of the University; developing policies and procedures and actively engaging in the recruitment, retention, and development of faculty and academic leaders; overseeing both the development and implementation of all undergraduate and postgraduate educational programmes, assuring superior quality, accountability, fiscal stability, and high standards of education; working with the faculties and institutes to develop educational, research and community service programmes that compete successfully for funding by international donors and grant agencies; providing strategic guidance for student affairs, including selection for admission, housing and student welfare assistance, and assure a quality campus environment through oversight of AKU’s educational facilities overseeing the quality and direction of the University’s research programmes and facilities with the ability to successfully compete for external funding; establishing the organizational structure, communications, and decision-making processes required for effective management and consistent quality across widely dispersed geographic sites and diverse cultures; providing opportunities and incentives for faculty to participate in multidisciplinary educational, research, and service initiatives; developing a faculty code of conduct and ethics as well as a disciplinary process and procedures with the Head of Human Resources, other academic leaders, and faculty; working with the Head of Human Resources on a competitive compensation and benefit plan to recruit, retain, and provide appropriate incentives for all of the University faculty; continuing to develop productive linkages and collaborations with distinguished universities and institutes in countries around the globe; participating with the President and Chief Financial Officer in budget preparation and monitoring as well as in long-range financial planning; developing, implementing, and monitoring budgets for the academic programmes within established resource guidelines as approved by AKU’s Board; participating with the University leadership in the preparation and periodic revision of policies, procedures, rules and regulations for the efficient and effective operation of AKU; participating in the strategic planning process of the University, including the definition of academic programme changes and additions that require capital funding;
submitting to the President, in accordance with the rules framed by the Board of Trustees, periodic reports on the academic programmes of the University; working with the President to liaise with the local, national, and international officials and agencies, including the Aga Khan Development Network, important to University fundraising activities and programmes; working with the President in resource development, through philanthropic fundraising that incorporates dialogue and presentations with both individuals and groups.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, capabilities and experience:
a PhD. MD, or equivalent degree, and a distinguished personal record of scholarship; experience with the liberal arts tradition in higher education; preferably familiarity, in particular, with the system of higher education in North America; extensive knowledge and leadership experience in the administration of educational institutions and programmes; ideally at the level of Vice President, Provost, Rector, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Vice Provost, Dean, or equivalent senior management position at well established, highly regarded universities; international experience with openness to exploring new and different approaches to education and management, and an ability to encourage and support others in that exploration; an appreciation for and ideally experience in scientific research at a competitive international level; experience in resource development, including donor relations and grant administration; international exposure and experience in the conduct of educational and research programmes in the developing world would be highly desirable.
In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to possess the following standard leadership and management behavioural competencies:
proven ability to develop, communicate and implement an inspiring academic and organisational vision; capability to specifically envision and build successful new programmes, departments, institutes, colleges, and their respective leadership, staff, facilities and resources, with a proven track record of success; demonstrated ability to identify, recruit, retain, and develop academicians and academic leaders of the highest international calibre; capacity to inspire leaders and staff to embrace change, take positive actions to implement it, and accept accountability for the outcomes of their actions or inaction through force of personality, experience, and passion for the mission and goals of the organization; commitment to quality and performance that emphasizes outcomes and measurement; creative in the development of resources to support the academic mission and its growth and development experience in the handling of academic, organizational, community, and government politics; proven capacity to cope with ambiguity and uncertainty, with the flexibility and breadth of outlook to prove equal to the demands of conditions that may not be “traditionally conventional”; developed and effective interpersonal and communication skills; understands academic decision-making processes, and has the ability to drive innovation and necessary change within the academic environment; comfortable in the role of change agent while sensitive to organizational and societal cultures, with the ability to gauge the appetite and capacity of an organization for change.
APPOINTMENT DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY
Aga Khan University is being assisted in this appointment process by the executive search firm Society. Applications should consist of a CV, ideally accompanied by a brief covering letter addressing the criteria in the Person Specification. These documents can be uploaded via Society’s website, www.society-search.com. The deadline for receipt of applications is midday on [Day Date Month Year]. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview on [Day Date Month Year]. An appointment will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references. The appointed candidate will be offered a salary that is commensurate with their experience and the seniority of their new role. For further information, please contact Richard Murphy on richard.murphy@society-search.com.