President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor visits the Aga Khan Academy Maputo

As part of his state visit to Mozambique, His Excellency (H.E.) José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor visited the Aga Khan Academy Maputo on Saturday, 7 July. The visit was also attended by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Carlos Joaquim Zacarias and his delegations from the two countries.

The delegation of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Mozambique, composed of Rui Carimo, AKDN Representative Office, and Sónia Neto, Advisor for Diplomatic Relations, Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, along with Head of Academy Roy White, welcomed H.E. President Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to the campus. During the visit, a presentation on AKDN’s operations in Mozambique and around the world was shared, followed by a tour of the campus. The esteemed guests also received an opportunity to interact with some students. 

At the end of his visit, H.E. President Ramos-Horta said that "... for the first time I have contact with this Academy; an exceptional work in its pedagogical design, in the offer of infrastructure and conditions for children. It is a model that would be ideal for many countries ... although, of course, not everyone has this possibility to do it with such quality, both in physical infrastructure, but also equipment so that students can benefit from the infrastructure and the quality of teachers. This project is a model of inspiration around the world for countries, governments, foundations and the United Nations system."

Before departing, H.E. President Ramos-Horta wrote in the Academy’s guestbook, commending the Academy and AKDN: "I salute the mandate of His Highness the Aga Khan and the meritorious work of the AKDN in Mozambique, East Timor’s sister country, and in the world. I praise the vision and values of the Aga Khan Academy in training future women and men who can contribute to a more just and prosperous society."