For the last two decades, in different parts of the world, the educators have considered the partnership between university and school as a means to education reforms. And with this idea The Aga Khan University established the Institute for Educational Development and linked it with different school systems. This university-school partnership has aimed to bring about reforms in educational systems of developing countries, particularly Pakistan, by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of schools (mission statement of Aga Khan University-Institute for Educational Development). The institute has designed models of teaching, learning, teacher development and school management, which are relevant to those schools. This paper is about the university’s experiences in establishing linkages with its partner schools.  The paper explores: how each member of the partnership perceives its own role and that of the others; what roles each member plays in whole school improvement; what are the outcomes of this collaboration for each member; and what challenges the university and school face in sustaining the partnership. Since the university’s undertaking to establish partnership with schools has been first of its kind in Pakistan, the paper will highlight implications of such partnerships on the education system of the country.