To host the President of East Timor and delegation, the AKDN was represented by Rui Carimo, AKDN Mozambique Representative Office; Ambassador Sónia Neto, Adviser for Diplomatic Affairs of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat; and Roy White, Maputo Academy Director.

The visit granted an opportunity to present the AKDN globally, in Mozambique, and link the AKDN as a contemporary endeavour of the Ismaili Imamat, followed by a tour to the Maputo Academy and interaction with students, including two East Timorese students.

President Ramos-Horta made the following statements to the media: “This is not the first time I am informed on the benefactor work of His Highness the Aga Khan in the last decades, not only in Mozambique, but in several other countries in the world. But this is the first time I have come into contact with this Academy, of exceptional work in its pedagogical conception, in the provision of infrastructure and conditions for the children. It is a model that would be ideal for many countries, for all countries, although, of course, not everyone has the possibility to do it with such quality, both in terms of physical infrastructure, but also to equip with teachers so that the students can benefit from the infrastructure and the quality of the teachers. This project, this initiative can be a model of inspiration for many others throughout the world, for countries, governments, foundations, etc., for the United Nations system.”

In the honours guest book, President Ramos-Horta, left the following message: “I salute the mandate of His Highness the Aga Khan, and the Aga Khan Development Network’s meritorious work for the development of Mozambique, sister country of East Timor, and in the world. I praise the vision and values of the Aga Khan Academy in the education of future women and men, who can contribute for a more just and prosperous society.”

The Aga Khan Academy Maputo opened in 2013 and currently has 454 students enrolled, from pre-primary to pre-university, of 23 nationalities, with 94 students part of the residential programme. 65 percent of the students are Mozambican. The Maputo Academy offers financial aid to 60 percent of the students. The Academy has 60 teachers, of which 62 percent are Mozambican.