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 Address by Munnawar Hamid
Trustee, Aga Khan University
as Chief Guest
Bismillah-Ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
Faculty and staff,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Assalaam-o-Alaikum
On behalf of AKU's Board of Trustees and the President of the University, I extend to you a warm welcome, Khushamadid.
59 years ago, Pakistan was created through the great sacrifices of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and by the many people who had a great vision for this country. Today, we celebrate our independence and remember those sacrifices, and the determined spirit of our forefathers.
Let us also recall the vision of the Quaid in his own inspiring words, and I quote:
"The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan . It gives them an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how a nation, containing many elements, can live in peace and amity and work for the betterment of all its citizens, irrespective of caste and creed.
" Pakistan is a land of great potential resources. But to build it into a country worthy of a Muslim Nation, we shall require every ounce of energy that we posses and I am confident that it will come from all whole-heartedly."
The Quaid spelt out where our new nation had to go, and how to get there. He realised that the coming generations must continue the struggle, for nationhood is not a right - it is a privilege. A privilege that must be earned constantly. It is this sense of responsibility to the nation that we must learn from the Quaid's life and struggle.
So let us ask ourselves today: what are we doing for our country? How are we building this nation?
At Aga Khan University , the answers to these questions are very clear. The heart of AKU's mission and its daily work has always been and continues to be: service to the nation. The Board of Trustees, faculty and staff have always tested its projects by two principles: first, is what we do relevant to the people of the country in which AKU is working? and second, is AKU creating a positive impact in our society?
Under the guidance and leadership of our Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, AKU's impact continues to grow into different disciplines as well as in different parts of the world according to relevant needs of each local society.
As you already know, AKU's education programmes in nursing, medicine, and educational development are the pride of Pakistan . Inshallah, in the near future, the University will begin unique and high quality programmes in fields such as Architecture and Human Settlement, Economic Growth, Media and Communication and Government studies.
AKU's Hospital provides access to all segments of society to top quality health care services. Since 1986 over one billion rupees have been spent on over 250,000 patients under our Patient Welfare Programme, and under the Behbud Society which distributes Zakat. This is an accomplishment we should all be proud of. Another very significant achievement of the University Hospital is the international recognition of our high quality standards by Joint Commission International Accreditation. This was a 5 year journey that combined the tireless efforts of many of you. It is an outstanding achievement - Congratulations!
I take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed so generously towards all of AKU's noble initiatives. This includes the invaluable contribution by our donors, volunteers and all friends of AKU.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We should be proud that our University has come a long way since being chartered in 1983 and has become a genuinely national and international institution. His Highness remarked at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ibn Zuhr Building for oncology services in December 2003, and I quote:
"As time will move us forward it will be important that the Trustees and I should look back on this date with gratitude and humility, but also pride - pride in an institution which has earned itself through the people who have worked with it, the credibility needed to have become a recognized national institution in Pakistan."
I personally consider myself fortunate to be associated with AKU and with its service to the nation. And I consider myself fortunate, also, to work with all of you who have with such admirable dedication served this Institution and this country. I salute you all for your continued commitment to the building of AKU. This, in fact, is part of building Pakistan .
Before I conclude, I would like to acknowledge our students and young friends who are present here today. It is you who embody our hopes for the future. Your education will, I am sure, bring you rewarding careers, and I hope that throughout your careers you will continue educating yourselves. The values you have learnt will stand you in good stead. Please remember that national understanding begins in the hearts and minds of young people like yourselves. You can therefore make an enormous contribution to society and to your country.
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