The Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka will soon begin its journey with “globally-minded but locally rooted” diversified students to develop future leaders for Bangladesh, officials said on Wednesday. “I’ve visited many educational institutions across the world. I can tell you, amazing things are going to happen on this campus,” said Theodore John Coburn, the Founding Head of the Academy in Dhaka, while describing the goal and facilities of the Academy to a small group of journalists. The goal of The Aga Khan Academy Dhaka is to develop future leaders for Bangladesh who are equipped with the skills to compete in a highly interconnected, competitive, and globalised world. Read: Bangladeshi Marina Tabassum in Aga Khan Award for Architecture’s Steering Committee “In addition to providing a rigorous academic and leadership experience, the Academies help students develop ethical and pluralistic behaviours through community engagement and service,” said Coburn who spent many years in the USA. He said global as well as local perspectives are reflected in the curriculum, and students’ study in both English and Bangla languages, with a high percentage expected to graduate with a bilingual IB Diploma. Admission process will start next month for the academic year starting from July 2022 when the Academy will be welcoming the first cohort of students, said the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Read Govt to set up National Judicial Academy: Law Minister Award-winning and designed to international standards, the Academy in Dhaka, what they say an educational centre of excellence, will be the fourth in the network of 18 Aga Khan Academies globally, joining those in Mombasa (Kenya), Hyderabad (India) and Maputo (Mozambique). Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen who visited the Academy campus in Dhaka recently said the investments made by AKDN in the country and the establishment of this landmark project in Dhaka is in part a result of the cordial bilateral relations between the AKDN and the government of Bangladesh. “The Ministry looks forward to facilitating and supporting all such worthy investments specially to help educate future global Bangladeshi leaders,” he said. Read:Dhaka urges UN to take immediate steps to resolve Rohingya crisis AKDN’s Resident Diplomatic Representative Munir M Merali said the Academy will have diversity in the classrooms with students from various parts of the country. “Education remains a key area of interest for the Network in Bangladesh,” he said acknowledging the support of the government.