The International Rescue Committee has been so fortunate to have had a longstanding relationship with Princeton in Africa since our very first Fellows landed in Rwanda in 1999. Whether it was Emily or Renee in 1999 or the 110 Fellows across 14 IRC countries over the years, we have been blessed by the relationship, the quality of the Fellows and the impact on what IRC does on the ground every single day.
Aly Kassam-Remtulla
Aly Kassam−Remtulla is Vice Provost for International Affairs and Operations, reporting to the Provost. As the University’s senior international affairs officer, he leads the development and administration of partnerships, policies, and programs that advance the international scope of Princeton’s teaching, research, and service mission and enhance the University’s global connections. As part of his portfolio, he manages the Mpala Research Centre, Princeton China Center, Davis International Center, and the Global Safety and Security unit. As a leader with a profound commitment to the liberal arts, Aly has deep experience in strategic planning, faculty engagement, fiscal stewardship, personnel and operations management, and fundraising.
Previously, Aly held appointments at Princeton in the offices of the executive vice president, vice president for campus life, dean of the Graduate School, vice provost for institutional equity and diversity, and vice provost for academic and budget planning. Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Aly is a faculty advisor for first-year and sophomore students in Wilson College, a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology where he teaches an undergraduate seminar, and a mentor for doctoral students.
Prior to coming to Princeton in 2010, Aly was a program officer at the MacArthur Foundation where he managed the creation of two new portfolios and awarded more than $60 million in grants. He chairs the board of trustees of the Mpala Research Centre and serves on the boards of Princeton in Beijing and Princeton in Africa. Aly was born in Kenya, raised in Canada, and attended the United World College-USA and Stanford University where he graduated with honors and with distinction. He received an MSc, MBA, and PhD from Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
Our History
In 1999, a group of Princeton alumni, faculty, and staff launched Princeton in Africa as an independent affiliate of Princeton University inspired by the University’s informal motto, “Princeton in the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations.” In 2010, the program opened up to include graduates of any US accredited university in order to meet the growing demand from host organizations and allow more young professionals access to the unique opportunities afforded by PiAf. During the past 20 years, we have placed over 600 Fellows with more than 100 organizations in 36 countries, while developing more strategic partnerships across Africa and creating more opportunities for our alumni community to engage with the continent and with one another.