AKAH and KIU sign MoU to collaborate on research, training for reducing vulnerability of mountain communities

ISLAMABAD: (PR) The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat has signed an MoU with Karakoram International University, Gilgit, to work on advancing the state of living conditions and reduce the vulnerability of mountain communities.

This partnership will encourage and facilitate young researchers and development practitioners in the field of disaster management and related disciplines such as: hazard identification and assessment, mitigation, preparedness socioeconomic vulnerability assessment, climate change induced disasters, Glacier and Glacier lakes, radiation hazards in the built environment and area focused structural design, said a press note.

The MoU was signed by the Vice Chancellor of KIU and the CEO of AKAH  during a meeting held to discuss technical aspects of the partnership for information sharing, exchange of resources and provision of opportunities.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Attaullah Shah, Vice Chancellor, Karakoram International University said, “KIU is committed to making social development and playing its role in the evolution of peaceful and pluralistic societies in the mountainous areas of Pakistan. This formal linkage between the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat and KIU is vital to boost research and technical cooperation by sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources”.

AKAH’s CEO, Nawab Ali Khan, said, “Dealing with the issues of climate change and ensuring safe and sustainable human habitat in the mountain areas is a key challenge of our times. We believe this challenge can only be addressed through strong cooperation and synergy between public and private sector organizations including academia and the civil society through generation and sharing of knowledge, experience and technical cooperation.

He added that this partnership will provide KIU researchers the opportunity of a field laboratory in AKDN projects for applied research in areas of disaster management and climate change adaptation and mitigation which will ultimately contribute to improvement in quality of life of the communities. He appreciated the support that the public sector organizations have extended to AKDN and termed this partnership another key step for the development of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

In the past AKAH (AKPBS) jointly with KIU has worked on the development of skilled craftsmanship in Gilgit-Baltistan through joint programs. Hundreds of craftspeople have benefited from the joint program and are benefiting communities with their learned skills.