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(AKU) and its parent organization the (AKDN) are important partners of the ß÷ßäÉçÇø. AKU is based primarily in Pakistan and East Africa and collaborates with the U of A in the areas of health sciences, education, the arts, and libraries. Student activities have included U of A student participation in internships at AKU.

AKU and the ß÷ßäÉçÇø share a strong commitment to the public good and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The AKDN network also includes the (UCA), a unique institution established with the support of the governments of Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. U of A has sponsored student agreements in place with both AKU and UCA.

In addition, the ß÷ßäÉçÇø has received graduates of Aga Khan High Schools and Aga Khan Academies, including some through the four-year ß÷ßäÉçÇø Global Citizenship Scholarship designated for graduates of the Academies.

A highlight of the relationship between AKDN and the ß÷ßäÉçÇø is the 4.8-hectare Aga Khan Garden, ß÷ßäÉçÇø, opened in 2018 at U of A’s Botanic Garden just south of Edmonton during a visit by His Late Highness Aga Khan IV. The spectacular garden, which integrates a contemporary interpretation of Islamic landscape architecture in a northern climate, was developed through the generous support of His Late Highness—a gift in excess of $25 million. It is a symbol of the ongoing partnership between the ß÷ßäÉçÇø and AKDN—a collaboration that has fostered intellectual, cultural and education exchange for over a decade.

The Ismaili community in Edmonton is actively involved in supporting connections between the ß÷ßäÉçÇø and AKDN, in particular through the Garden.

In 2009, of law from the U of A and, in the presence of ß÷ßäÉçÇø’s premier, signed a memorandum of understanding establishing cooperation with the ß÷ßäÉçÇø. In 2019, the ß÷ßäÉçÇø received a visit by senior members of AKU including their provost, Dr. Carl Amrhein, to discuss further cooperation.