Speech by Sara Hanif, Valedictorian, Class of 2003, Aga Khan University

I always thought magic was something reserved strictly for the Walt Disney movies I watched as a child. Never did I believe in my wildest dreams that magic could actually exist, nor that it would become a large part of my life one day.

Your Highness-the Chancellor, your Excellency Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees, respected faculty, distinguished guests, and especially beloved parents and fellow graduates…welcome, and Assalam-o-Alaikum. Let me introduce you to this magic I have come to encompass in the last few years

As freshman we were class fellows, as sophomores we were friends, life went on, day after day – scheduled class after scheduled class and now as graduates we find ourselves family. Our faculty ranges from big brothers to fairy godmothers to surrogate parents. We stand before you a family, a community. The magic of Aga Khan University cannot be expressed in words, for it is something that touches each student who enters this wonderful world be it an aspiring nurse, a teacher , a doctor, an epidemiologist or a health policy manager. Today it binds 20 yrs of graduates together, all as part of the AKU family. A world where you are not merely a role number and what you learn isn’t merely “work” for the future, it is your life.

It is said it is a sin to boast, despite that I have often caught my self bragging about our university, its facilities, our teachers, our training, our exposure, almost like a parent that talks incessantly about his child. Aga Khan University you have made us proud of you. We are merely glad for an opportunity to return that honour.

We started off together, years ago, each individual from diverse backgrounds. Each student a world unto themselves, with that extra special quality that sets them apart. The common pursuits and common challenges that we faced have bonded us together in a way that is unique. 6:00 am wasn’t just when I reported for work – 6:00 am was when we all reported for work, Cafeteria food wasn’t braved by me alone – we all appreciated it together. This opportunity to work closely and learn from each other has been undoubtedly the greatest learning experience and gift for me.

Training is a painful process, both for teacher and trainee. It involves selfless dedication and commitment on the part of both. All the more reason that we appreciate our idols, our mentors today – for having taught us the meaning of all that torture – for having cared enough to make us realize our full worth – and having shared their expertise with us –and best of all, for teaching us to think and question and not just to accept mundane practices. In fact I quote a favorite professor “even books can have rubbish, question them”. We salute you today ladies and gentlemen.

Our AKU experience would be incomplete if I didn’t talk about our extra curricula’s This University has served as a platform for plays, debates, fund raising events, sport meets. With the support of our administration, we have always managed to somehow fit that 25th hour in and let that special talent within us, show itself to all. Chip by chip we have been sculpted to become the more holistic individuals that you see today.

It is with a heavy heart and yet immense pride that I stand here before you this morning, ambivalence is in the air. I would like to dedicate our success to our loved ones, and our teachers. To all those who made it here today, and to those who couldn’t be with us at this hour of joy, but who smile down on us from the heavens. We hope we have made all of you proud. Today we also remember those who were left behind, knowing that they were in store for a different Divine plan.

Here we stand at a turning point in our lives. Dear graduating class-- for the first time since we met, there will not be a tomorrow for us as students here. It might not seem like it right now, but I know we are ready to move on. Do not lose touch with the time that you have spent here. Carry on with you the magical spark that Aga Khan has instilled in each of us. Let this spark of love, sense of security, community, and most importantly honor and trust be spread into the world around you - wherever you go. Let this magical spark burst into flames- so that this same magic can engulf those around you.

Too many of us live our lives passively, going day-to-day, without stopping to figure out what makes us happiest.  I’m talking about living your passion. Beethoven and Einstein were great only because they were fantastic at one thing and they pursued it successfully It’s about doing what you love, so you never have to actually “work.”. If you live your life just to pay the bills, you will die without ever having lived. I pray to Allah that may He steer us such that we are always able to enjoy and do justice to our chosen profession.

With this I leave you:

Celebrate life by celebrating yourself. Chase your dreams – it is that chase that has brought us this far – know the worth of dreaming.

Fellow graduates of 2003, congratulations and good luck!