Aga Khan to receive honorary degrees

The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims, will be in Vancouver next month to accept a pair of honorary degrees.

The University of B.C. and Simon Fraser University will each award an honorary doctorate of laws degree to the Aga Khan on Oct. 19 in a joint conferral ceremony, which will be a first for both universities.

The degrees are being awarded in recognition of “the Aga Khan’s lifelong service to humanity, and the intersections of his work at UBC and SFU.”

“We applaud His Highness the Aga Khan’s outstanding humanitarian contributions,” said Santa Ono, UBC president and vicechancellor.

“In his capacity as spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community, his commitment to helping fight poverty and improve health and education for millions of people in underdeveloped and war-torn parts of the world is truly remarkable, and serves as an inspiration to us all.”

The Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims around the world, founded the Aga Khan Development Network, a global system of development agencies that operates universities, hospitals and school programs in underdeveloped and war-torn nations.

“His Highness has demonstrated an exemplary international commitment to address the needs of others,” said Andrew Petter, SFU president and vice-chancellor. “He has in this context supported programs at both of our universities, and we are grateful for his generosity in promoting positive change in the lives of young people and in advancing the well-being of the communities we serve.”

The Aga Khan will also receive an honorary degree from the University of Calgary on Oct. 17.