An Address to Aga Khan University 2006 Convocation

By Mr Mohammedmian Soomro, Chairman of the Senate, Government of Pakistan

Your Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Chancellor of the Aga Khan University
Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Chief Minister of Sindh
Mr Firoz Rasul, President of Aga Khan University
Chairman, and members of the Board of Trustees
Excellencies
Faculty members

Dear Graduates

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Assalamu 'alaykum

What an honour to be here once again, this time at the 19th Convocation of Aga Khan University. I have been honoured before as Chief Guest as the then-Governor of Sindh and participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies of some beautiful buildings including the residences for women professionals which stand today so magnificently. I am also very pleased on this occasion to be part of a unique event, with the investiture of Mr Firoz Rasul as the incoming President of the University, and for whom this Convocation will be his first as President. Mr Rasul, all my congratulations to you and your wife Dr Saida Rasul. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will provide exemplary leadership to this institution which is one that a cross section of society is justifiably proud of. You have my prayers and best wishes for success in the execution of your difficult responsibilities. The road map you have articulated is very inspiring and rest assured that you have our collective support.

Let me say that this familiar landmark has come a long way indeed since its establishment in 1983. But the University has never wavered from its founding principles, and from the vision of its Chancellor His Highness the Aga Khan, who has, in so many fora, referred to human development as a major underpinning activity at this university. We need to create qualified human resource for our country and the region, and I applaud the efforts of the Aga Khan University. May I suggest that this is indeed what universities in Islam's golden era endeavoured: many of those graduates stand head and shoulders above any in terms of possessing holistic learning, with a deep sense of service to humanity as – I would say in true Muslim tradition – an act of worship itself. And I would like to tell you, graduating students, that you are fortunate to have spent your learning years here, as you have had opportunities to immerse yourselves in quality learning beyond the traditional classroom.

If one has only seen this campus as a visitor, or from outside its precincts, one could easily miss a very large number of additions that are continuously taking place. And this of course does not reflect the changes taking place inside the physical premises of this campus and other campuses in Pakistan and beyond: the quality of research, teaching and services, not to mention their relevance and impact. Equally important is the fact that this quality in health sciences education and teaching education, in research, and in the delivery of health care, is provided in a highly systematic manner while incorporating our cultural values as well – in fact the cultural values of communities wherever the University has a presence. Yes, I have to say with happiness that this familiar landmark is no longer the exclusive preserve of Karachi or of Pakistan as other countries are also now benefiting from AKU, a national university with international outreach.

Aspiring students here – whether in the School of Nursing, the Medical College or the Institute for Educational Development – apply, and hope for, admission here, from all corners of the country and including Azad Kashmir and other countries. I understand that the new, incoming batch of students in these three academic units of the University do indeed represent all parts of Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and other countries – all on a merit based platform, which really is a hallmark of AKU. I am very happy to learn that the University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations – set up in London – has, since September of this year, commenced the MA programme. I may say that the Muslim ummah as a whole also has this University to thank, for the setting up of this Institute. This has been a much needed initiative and I am very hopeful indeed that the outcomes of the Institute's quality programmes will project not only the brilliance of Muslim culture, learning and enlightenment of times past – but Insha-Allah of times to come.

Ladies and gentlemen, Aga Khan University is a young university; yet it has gained eminence nationally and internationally. We are proud that a University chartered in our country has grown to have teaching sites in several countries on three continents, fulfilling the terms of its international charter granted in 1983. Going forward, AKU's teaching hospital in Karachi is undergoing a 100-bed expansion, and two other dedicated ambulatory care buildings will be constructed at this campus. Pakistan looks forward to the University's further growth and expansion – and this is because we know there are international quality standards here and we are aware of its impact on the country. Its teaching hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, which is a full fledged tertiary care institution, also has an ambitious expansion plan to serve the East African region.

We are appreciative of the outcomes being continuously delivered by the University's Institute for Educational Development: a large proportion of teachers trained here are from Government-sector schools, who go back to those schools. I believe that the real value of the impact of this is beyond measure: it has a great bearing on the very future of our children. I understand that a similar Institute for Educational Development is shortly to be opened in East Africa, to serve communities in that region. No doubt it would also have a major impact on the future of their educational system.

Ladies and gentlemen, Aga Khan University strives for excellence in all its endeavours. I am very pleased to learn that the University teaching hospital has earlier this year been awarded the "Joint Commission International Accreditation", which I believe is the world's leading certification for the overall performance of hospitals. And Aga Khan University Hospital is the first to receive this accreditation in Pakistan. This is a matter of great pride for us in Pakistan – given that there are only a handful of teaching hospitals globally who have been so certified. It is further proof, by an international audit, to confirm the status of the Hospital as the leading tertiary care facility in the country. I expect that this would ultimately have a significant impact as a benchmark and role model for other hospitals in the country. The Soparivala Building, opened last year for dedicated laboratory services is indeed a trailblazer to similar, quality dedicated facilities across Pakistan. I see it as adding value to professionalism in the field of Health Sciences in Pakistan; and I see the Aga Khan University as adding value to educational approaches in Pakistan, and in the Muslim and developing worlds.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Hospital's well-known Patient Welfare Programme enables patients from all walks of life to benefit from the very same quality of services that I have just mentioned. More than 500,000 patients a year are served here, and Rs.240 million – or four million dollars – were dispensed in the last year to many who otherwise were unable to meet the full cost of treatment. Accessibility to quality health care and to quality education, as an underlying philosophy: this is something to applaud and to support. I am told that in this regard, just a week ago, Rs.10 million were raised through an event which was magnificent by all accounts. I especially wished to mention this, as the theme of this fundraiser was based on the poetry of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi; and how relevant are his verses to our world today!

The government is grateful to Aga Khan University for its pioneering efforts to effectively act as a partner and to advise on policy issues. The recently held "Research to Policy" conference, which focused on newborn nutrition, is just one case in point. I am positive that we shall be seeing the outcome of that conference, in terms of national policy formulation, sooner rather than later. The government considerably benefits from the research-based input and the rich experience of Aga Khan University.

I am hopeful, ladies and gentlemen, that the necessary finalisation of formalities for the University's planned Faculty of Arts and Sciences will come about soon. The reality of today's world demands that Pakistan needs to focus on the broad education of its young people. With education that goes beyond the learning of the professions, a health professional for example, would be well versed in the history and culture of his or her community. Conversely, a lawyer should have familiarity in matters such as genetics and issues in stem cell research. I would like to see many more similar initiatives in higher education all across the nation, and to share the approaches and methodologies adopted for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

I now come to you, the graduates: you have spent up to five hardworking years for this moment to arrive. You have qualified as Nurses, as Doctors, and as vastly improved educators and educationists. You now see the world, in fact life itself, from a different paradigm, being now much more of givers than receivers. You are in the realm of act rather than react.

You know you are the role models, and there will be many people literally expecting miracles out of you. You have been well prepared for these new challenges, with your rigorous training, your own competencies and the will to succeed and to deliver.

With or without your degrees in hand, the fact is that you have been trained to serve with high ethical values. Let the example set by your university in public service be a radiant model for future graduates not only of Aga Khan University but of all Universities in the country.

Dear graduates, congratulations to you all, to your parents and families and to your very dedicated faculty, staff and management. This is a proud moment for all of us. Some or many of you would be going abroad to further specialise in your chosen areas and hone your professional skills. My dear graduates: your numbers are not very many but your quality is high. therefore, your impact will naturally be of a high level. The future of Pakistan needs people like you, and I take this opportunity to invite you to remain in Pakistan, and if you choose to go abroad, to return home sooner rather than later, and to serve your nation. If nothing else you will be great role models for others to emulate you, and your association with this University is one credential that will stand you in good stead.

The people of Pakistan, and beyond, from all walks of life, await you, because you bring not only knowledge and skills, but also leadership and excellent ethics. The seeds you plant, as role model nurses, doctors and educationists, will bear many, many fruits. If, as individuals, you inspire just one of our people to strive for excellence in the way you have, I strongly believe that you will have fulfilled this University's great principle of having an impact on our communities.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are all very highly appreciative of the commitment of His Highness the Aga Khan to Pakistan. His vision has greatly helped project Pakistan in its rightful, positive image. And it has brought about a very considerable enhancement in the quality of life for countless numbers of people – including many who are less privileged. The Aga Khan Development Network, which His Highness heads and of which this University is a part, plays a major role in helping secure the needs of our citizens. The network has long been active in many areas of human endeavour, including rural, cultural and tourism development. The network's – and this University's own role – in the relief and assistance to the victims of the devastating earthquake just 14 months ago – is not forgotten. Your Highness, there are countless citizens who today are benefiting from generous assistance and relief activities by Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan University. Allow me to thank you on their behalf.

Finally I wish each and every one of you, graduates, every success in your chosen fields, and may Allah bless you all.

Thank you, and let's now all rejoice in the conferring of degrees and diplomas to our well deserved students.