The Aga Khan Academy’s service programme helps students learn about different dimensions of poverty through on-the-ground internships with the Aga Khan Foundation. This unique and transformative programme allows students to have real impact at the grassroots level and has encouraged them to develop new projects, including furthering women’s rights and improving education in Kenya. The programme demonstrates that creative and motivated youth can have a powerful impact on social change.

“The ongoing objective…is to provide an outstanding education for outstanding students – to prepare men and women of exceptional ability to meet extraordinary challenges,” said His Highness the Aga Khan at the official inauguration ceremony of the Aga Khan Academy, Hyderabad on 20 September 2013.

Colm McDermott, principal and teacher at the new Aga Khan Academy in Maputo, speaks about the transformation of students and teachers since the opening of the Academy and shares his hopes for its future, including the potential for region-wide impact on education.