KARACHI: The Government of Sindh and Aga Khan University (AKU) have signed a landmark PKR 439.2 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote inclusive, high-quality education for persons with disabilities. Chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the five-year strategic partnership aims to establish a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit at AKU to drive institutional capacity building, teacher training, research, and policy innovation across the province.
The total cost of this five-year strategic partnership stands at over PKR 439.2 million. Out of this total amount, the Government of Sindh is contributing over PKR 278.5 million, while Aga Khan University is providing an investment of more than PKR 160.6 million. The core initiative of this collaboration is the establishment of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit at AKU, which is designed to serve as a comprehensive hub for teacher professional development, educational research, and policy formulation.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized that inclusive education is a cornerstone of the province’s human development agenda, noting that the partnership goes beyond corporate social responsibility to become a vital benchmark for humanitarian progress and sustainable growth. Echoing this sentiment, AKU President Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin highlighted that equal educational access for persons with disabilities is essential for societal advancement, reiterating AKU’s commitment to supporting Sindh’s inclusive education framework. Furthermore, Taha Ahmed Farooqui, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), detailed the scope of the agreement, outlining structured plans for specialized training, institutional reform, and public awareness campaigns.
