Shamsh Kassim-Lakha
Shamsh Kassim-Lakha is an innovative academic administrator and policy developer.
In 2006 he stepped down as president and CEO of the Aga Khan University, which functions in eight countries of Asia, Africa and Europe, after serving a tenure of thirty years. During this time he oversaw the development of new academic campuses and forged collaborative relationships with internationally renowned institutions of higher education throughout the world. He spearheaded the construction of the university’s first teaching hospital in Karachi, and lead the establishment of the Institute for Educational Development, which addresses issues relating to the professional development of teachers, curriculum development, educational governance and policy development through its educational and research programmes, and is today regarded as a leader in its field.
Shamsh Kassim-Lakha has served on the boards of several professional and research organizations, including the Pakistan Medical Research Council, and on numerous governmental advisory panels in diverse fields including education, health, finance, energy, environmental protection and climate change. He has extensive experience of working on public and private sector policy-making commissions and corporate boards, and has played a pioneering leadership role as founding chair of the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy.
For over four decades Shamsh Kassim-Lakha has been actively involved at all levels in social welfare activities, cooperative and credit societies, as well as service clubs.
He has received several honours and awards, most recently the Crescent of Distinction, awarded for public service, in 2002.
