The AKUAANA Awards: 2025

The AKUAANA Awards recognize outstanding alumni of the Aga Khan University for their contributions in healthcare, research, and education. These awards celebrate leadership, innovation, and excellence that advance the mission of AKUAANA and positively impact communities locally and globally.

This year, AKUAANA is opening nominations for the following awards:

AKUAANA Healthcare Impact Award
AKUAANA Excellence in Research Award
AKUAANA Excellence in Education Award
AKUAANA Award for Humanitarian Service and Impact

The criteria and nomination process for each award, along with a nomination form, are given below. The deadline for submitting nominations is September 1st, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST.

AKUAANA Healthcare Impact Award

The AKUAANA Healthcare Impact Award honors an AKUMC alumnus who has made exceptional contributions to healthcare delivery, especially to vulnerable populations, through leadership, advocacy, and innovations – locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally.

Eligibility:

Major leadership position(s) within healthcare delivery / health systems
Impactful contribution(s) to service delivery through innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy changes, especially to vulnerable populations
Regional, national, or international recognition

Guidelines:

Nominations may be submitted by any AKUMC alumnus. Each completed application must include a cover letter by the nominator addressing the characteristics identified in the form attached form letter.

Nomination Deadline: September 1st, 2025

Nomination form for the AKUAANA Healthcare Impact Award

Dear AKUAANA Awards Committee, I nominate

Nominee(Required)

Institution

for the AKUAANA Healthcare Impact Award in recognition of their exceptional leadership, contributions, and dedication to strengthening the delivery of care and healthcare system, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Cover Letter(Required)

- Please describe the nominee’s major leadership positions and how their leadership advanced the healthcare delivery of the populations they serve.

- Please describe the nominee’s impact on the practice of medicine and/or population health through leadership in a healthcare system.

- Please include any additional information about the nominee that you would like to share.

Please attach a current CV of your nominee:

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.

Sincerely,

Nominator's Name:(Required)

Nominator's Email:(Required)

AKUAANA Excellence in Research Award

The AKUAANA Excellence in Research Award honors an AKUMC alumnus who has made outstanding contributions to the practice of medicine by creating and sharing new knowledge.

Eligibility:

Candidates may be nominated by any AKUMC alumnus and are evaluated by the Awards Committee on their accomplishments in knowledge creation, including:

Research Accomplishments: Original research publications in peer-reviewed journals, research support generated through grants and contracts (federal, foundation, and industry); Peer-reviewed research presentations (lecture, abstract, panel); Impact of discovery;

Training and mentorship: Involvement in formal research training and mentorship of other junior investigators, including faculty, fellows, residents, and medical students.

Recognition: Peer review journal positions; Grant review panel membership; Local, regional, and national organizational service relating to research; National and international speaking invitations; Recognition or awards by students, residents, or peers; Regional, national, or international recognition or awards

Guidelines:

Nominations may be submitted by any AKUMC alumnus. Each completed application must include a cover letter by the nominator addressing the above areas (please use the standardized cover letter template as given in the form below).

Nomination Deadline: September 1st, 2025

Nomination form for the AKUAANA Excellence in Research Award

Dear AKUAANA Awards Committee, I nominate

Nominee(Required)

Institution

for the AKUAANA Excellence in Research Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to medical knowledge through research, mentorship, and scholarly impact.

Cover Letter(Required)

- What are the nominee’s research accomplishments in the domains of original research in peer-reviewed journals, research support, including grants and contracts, and peer-reviewed research presentations?

- How has the nominee trained and mentored other investigators (faculty, fellows, residents, and medical students), with examples of successful mentoring relationships?

- Give examples of how the nominee has been recognized for research excellence, which may include journal positions, grant reviewing, service related to research organizations, speaking invitations, or awards.

- How has (or will) the nominee’s research transformed the practice of medicine or advanced research?

- Please include any additional information about the nominee that supports their qualifications for this award.

Please attach a current CV of your nominee:

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.

Sincerely,

Nominator's Name:(Required)

Nominator's Email:(Required)

AKUAANA Excellence in Education Award

The AKUAANA Excellence in Education Award honors an AKUMC alumnus who has made outstanding contributions to medicine through teaching others and improving pedagogy.

Eligibility:

Candidates may be nominated by any AKUMC alumnus and are evaluated by the Awards Committee on their accomplishments in the education of physicians and others.

Educational Accomplishments:

Development of didactic/bedside courses
Development of new techniques of instruction or instructional material
Scholarly works (research on education, text chapters, textbooks, reviews, and other scientific works related to teaching)
Presentations at regional, national, and international meetings
Recognition or awards by students, residents, peers, or organizations
Grants supporting education or education research

Guidelines:

Nomination Deadline: September 1st, 2025

Nomination form for the AKUAANA Excellence in Education Award

Dear AKUAANA Awards Committee, I nominate

Nominee(Required)

Institution

for the AKUAANA Excellence in Education Award in recognition of their exceptional leadership, contributions, and dedication to teaching others and improving pedagogy.

Cover Letter(Required)

- Please describe the impact the nominee has had on learners through bedside teaching, with assessment/impact evidence.

- How has the nominee developed new courses or advanced education (local, regional, national, international), with impact assessments? (e.g., learner evaluations, program outcomes, or institutional recognition)

- How has the nominee developed new techniques of instruction or innovated education?

- Describe the nominee’s scholarly works, defined broadly, including but not limited to educational research, enhancing knowledge transfer, grant support, textbooks, reviews, etc.

- Comment on the nominee’s educational sessions and presentations, with impact assessments.

- What recognition or awards has the nominee received in the domain of educational excellence?

- What educational leadership activities has the nominee performed?

- Please include any additional information about the nominee that supports their qualifications for this award.

Please attach a current CV of your nominee:

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.

Sincerely,

Nominator's Name:(Required)

Nominator's Email:(Required)

AKUAANA Award for Humanitarian Service and Impact

The AKUAANA Award for Humanitarian Service and Impact honors AKU Alumni, Staff, and Affiliates (AKDN agencies) who have made outstanding and lasting contributions through service to the people of Pakistan by creating programs and institutions that impact the lives of the most vulnerable communities and individuals.

Eligibility:

Candidates may be nominated by any AKUMC alumnus and are evaluated by the Awards Committee on their accomplishments in serving others.

Humanitarian and Service Contributions:

Response to humanitarian crisis and disasters
Development of sustainable health programs that impact the most vulnerable
Creation of non-profit institutions with the primary focus of service
National and international recognition of the contribution
Measurable impact

Guidelines:

Nomination Deadline: September 1st, 2025

Nomination form for the AKUAANA Award for Humanitarian Service and Impact

Dear AKUAANA Awards Committee, I nominate

Nominee(Required)

Institution

for the AKUAANA Award for Humanitarian Service and Impact in recognition of their exceptional leadership, contributions, and dedicated service to the most vulnerable communities in Pakistan.

Cover Letter(Required)

- Please describe the programs that the nominee has been involved in establishing.

- What population does the program target

- What has been the nominee's role in the project or program

- What has been the impact of the project or the program

- How has the work been recognized in Pakistan and internationally

Please attach a current CV of your nominee:

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.

Sincerely,

Nominator's Name:(Required)

Nominator's Email:(Required)

AKUAANA Healthcare Impact Award

AKUAANA Excellence in Research Award

AKUAANA Excellence in Education Award

AKUAANA Award for Humanitarian Service and Impact

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