The Aga Khan received an honorary law doctorate from National University of Ireland (NUI) in Maynooth today for outstanding contributions to the elimination of global poverty, the advancement of women, the promotion of Islamic culture and the furthering of pluralistic values in society.
He received his honorary doctorate from the Chancellor of the NUI, Dr Garret FitzGerald.
Speaking at the conferral, NUI president Professor John Hughes said the he was very proud to honour the Agah Khan and to recognise his achievements.
“Today the college is honouring an individual who has made a significant positive impact in the developing world. He has championed religious pluralism as a way of building a common understanding among millions of people throughout the globe,” he said.
“His Highness is the first member of the Islamic community to be so honoured in the history of NUI Maynooth.”
The Aga Khan is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the largest private development groups in the world. AKDN is made up of a group of institutions working to improve living conditions and opportunities in specific regions of the developing world.
Their individual mandates range from architecture, education and health to the promotion of private sector enterprise, the enhancement of non-government organisations and rural development.
The Aga Khan is heavily involved in the Irish horse racing industry and owns a number of stud farms across the country.