MGEDP To Create Integrated Network of Mountain Girls Academies

Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) is an international non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies, an expression of love and devotion for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph.

His Highness Aga Khan's Vision:
"We live in a time of rapid change - change that is often unpredictable and not always positive. My experience with development, as an observer and a practitioner, has led me to the conclusion that the best way to manage change, whether positive or negative, is to prepare for it and that there is no greater form of preparation for change than investments in education.These investments must focus, of course, on teachers of the highest quality - teachers who are creative and committed to their own life-long learning and self-improvement. It also means investments in facilities that provide an environment conducive to the less tangible but equally important elements of an education - self-esteem, leadership, tolerance, ethical judgment and moral reasoning.
Education must also make the case for a pluralistic tradition in which other views, ethnicities, religions and perspectives are valued not only because that is just and good, but also because pluralism is the climate best suited for creativity, curiosity and inquiry to thrive. It must also stimulate students to consider a variety of perspectives on some of the fundamental questions posed by the human condition: “What is truth?” “What is reality?” and “What are my duties to my fellow man, to my country and to God?” At the same time, education must reinforce thefoundations of identity in such a way as to reinvigorate and strengthen them so that they can withstand the shock of change.
What students know is therefore no longer the most important measure of an education. The true test is the ability of students and graduates to engage with what they do not know and to work out a solution. They must also be able to reach conclusions that constitute the basis for informed judgements. The ability to make judgements that are grounded in solid information and employ careful analysis, should be one of the most important goals for any educational endeavour. As students develop this capability, they can begin to grapple with the most important and difficult step: to learn to place such judgements in anethical framework.
For all these reasons, there is no better investment that individuals, parents and the nation can make than an investment in education of the highest possible quality. Such investments are reflected and endure, in the formation of the kind of social conscience that our world so desperately needs."

To be located in the rugged terrains, Mountain Girls Academies will be an integrated network of 7 residential schools offering girls an international standard of education from pre-primary to secondary levels with a rigorous academic and leadership experience. The Academies will select students of promise, good character and serious intent, regardless of a family’s faith or ability to pay. The Academies will identify and develop teachers of the highest quality who are committed to the all-round development of young girls and to their own professional growth as teachers. The Academies are committed to excellence in every way, not least in the creation of spacious and attractive campuses that provide rich opportunities for students and teachers to interact.

The academic programme is intended to foster an ethical and public-minded approach. It is designed to enhance academic excellence of students, their sense of civic responsibility, their understanding of global issues, and their analytical and study skills. The programme reflects an understanding of and great sensitivity to the local languages, history, cultures and environment.

“An education must equip students with the tools that enable them to adapt and thrive in a world characterized by change,” His Highness the Aga Khan has said. “In such an environment, technical proficiency is not enough. Education that prepares children for life must go beyond fundamental skills to stimulate creativity, intellectual curiosity and honest inquiry. Advancement and development, both personal and societal is dependant on these elements. Innovation and progress arise from the ability to approach a challenge in a new way and offer a solution.”

Mountain Girls Academies shall be built on the framework of the globally recognized Aga Khan Education Service (AKES) , renowned for preparing students for admission to the best universities in their own countries and abroad. Enhanced by academic, co-curricular activities, and opportunities for international study unique to the Academies, this educational programme will play an important part in fulfilling the vision and hope of His Highness the Aga Khan, that these schools must stimulate creativity and intellectual curiosity so that students can adapt and thrive in a world of rapid change, make informed judgments on life’s daily challenges, and place those judgments in an ethical framework.

Every aspect of the school’s environment and curriculum will influence these values. Students will benefit from the experience of a pluralistic learning community, enabling them to embrace diversity and become true citizens of the world, generous and tolerant towards other cultures and traditions. The Academies will engrain the qualities of meritocracy and develop ethical leaders who will go on to build and lead the institutions of civil society in Pakistan and across the world.

This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (since1957) . The 49th Fatimid Imam Caliph, His Highness Aga Khan is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in- Aly, the first Imam Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FATIMID), Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) support educational development activities to enhance knowledge, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.