AKU LEADS with micro-credentials: A flexible programme for academic advancement, upskilling and reskilling.

Karachi, 3 rd June 2025: Today, the world is changing rapidly more so than ever before with disruptive
technological development driving change in the nature and future of work, and the workplace. It is
recognised that in the course of a career youth would have to re-invent themselves, learn new skills
or change jobs several times. Consequently, online short courses leading to micro-credentials have
emerged as a response to the need for continuous re-skilling and up-skilling in the wake of a
widening skills gap in the labour market.
Aga Khan University (AKU) is excited to bring you LEADS – an online and hybrid programme for
continuing education enabling participants to earn micro-credentials. Designed to meet the evolving
demands of the job market and also address concerns related to equity and access, LEADS offers
everyone a path to growth, anytime and anywhere. Each micro-credential represents a course that
offers clear standards and assessment, ensuring that achievements are credible, portable and bear
the mark of quality valued by AKU.
Since its launch last year, LEADS has introduced a variety of courses that serve poor and
marginalized youth who may not have the benefit of higher education and for professionals hoping
to upgrade their knowledge. For example, those in the rapidly expanding service industry in the
country such as the call centres benefit from the programme’s courses on enhancement of English
language skills development. Women entrepreneurs who run small business ventures from home
are often unable to participate in the more traditional in-person professional development
programmes. They could seek financial and digital literacy so essential to run small business ventures
such as running Day Care Centres. Likewise, professionals such as teachers and educators who may
have received their initial teacher education degree but need to upgrade their knowledge and skills
such as in teaching robotics or use of artificial intelligence could take courses on the LEADS platform
and earn micro-credentials.
LEADS is designed to offer learning solutions that match today’s digital realities. The programme is
affordable and accessible via readily available devices — including basic mobile phones with limited
internet bandwidth.