This village is in the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan in one of the most remote parts of the world. In central Asia there is a huge mountainous region that is the home to around 40 million who still live what is essentially a subsistance existence. It is an area that is home to Ismaili Muslims and there leader, the Aga Khan, has big plans for education for these people. He is planning a university to provide education in disciplines that are essential to all communities.

The university is now possible because of the advances in communications technology. Plans are in place to enable students to communicate with lecturers from the finest educational institutions around the world, such as the Harvard School of Medicine.

The Aga Khan is due to lay the foundation stone on Wednesday. Work will then begin on a campus designed by the post-modernist Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki.

The first students should begin their studies in 2007.