DUSHANBE, October 31, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), who arrived in Dushanbe today on a six-day official visit, has held talks with Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Zarifi, His Highness the Aga Khan said that they had discussed prospects of further activity of the AKDN in Tajikistan and the present situation in the Central Asian region.   

On the issue of the establishment of the University of Central Asia (UCA), the Aga Khan said that the University should be strong and provide adequate higher education.   

We will recall that UCA was formed by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and the Aga Khan, to foster economic and social development throughout mountain zones of Central Asia.  It is the world’s first internationally chartered institution of higher education.  UCA is constructing campuses in Khorog, Tajikistan, Naryn, Kyrgyzstan and Tekeli, Kazakhstan.