At the 2013 Convocation of the Aga Khan University, there was a sense of reaffirmation that the vision of making a difference for the betterment of humanity is as strong as ever before.
This year, where the annual convocation was a celebration of 367 bright graduates leaving the majestic portals and boundaries of the University, it was also a celebration of many important milestones in the institution’s history – particularly the 30th anniversary of the granting of its charter as Pakistan’s first private university in 1983.
The Convocation also saw the 31st graduating class of the School of Nursing and Midwifery; the 26th graduating class of the Medical College; the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute for Educational Development; and the 10th anniversary of the University’s Examination Board.
The occasion was made even more memorable for the graduands and the entire AKU family by the presence of the Chancellor, His Highness The Aga Khan, who graciously presided over the proceedings of the day. This was the first time since 2006 that His Highness has attended a University convocation ceremony in Pakistan.
Addressing the assembly of guests – one of the largest convocation audiences in recent times – His Highness Aga Khan shared his thoughts on the trajectory of the University so far and its future direction.
“These will seem to be ambitious goals — some may say they are too ambitious. But I disagree. Our goals were ambitious, after all, back in 1983. And yet, if we could have glimpsed into the future then – if we could have forecast what this day would look like – I think we would have been very happy with the way the story has unfolded.”
Also present at the ceremony were Chief Guest Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan, the Governor of Sindh, Mr Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh, and Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the Aga Khan’s daughter and a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. The participants included the Board of Trustees, faculty, students and supporters of the University from around the world.
Meanwhile, a number of alumni from the first batches of School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Medical College and the Institute for Educational Development had come in specially to attend the convocation. To those present and far away, the Chancellor said: “When you first came as students to AKU, you did not know us and we did not know you, and yet we came to have great faith in one another. And you have fully justified that faith, using your education for good and great purposes.”
In his address, President Mr Firoz Rasul urged graduates to be the leaders of change their society so desperately needs: “At the core of leadership lies a restless desire to accomplish that which has never been done before, and the willing assumption of responsibility for the success of others. Today, there is one other trait that a leader must possess: the conviction that the pursuit of knowledge is key to progress.”
“Regrettably, in the Muslim world, this conviction has seemed less important or prominent in recent decades. It was not always the case,” he added. “For much of its history, Muslim societies have been at the cutting edge of science and innovation.”
“In a globalised world, change is inevitable, and always just round the corner. Whether it is for good or ill, whether it is change of our choosing or someone else’s, whether we will be its masters or its servants – depends on whether we act as leaders, followers or spectators.”
The Convocation also saw four highly respected members of the University honoured for their achievements and contribution to the success of the institution.
The Award of Distinction Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, was presented to Mr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, the founding President of AKU for being a pioneer in bringing new perspectives to the delivery of university education, thereby impacting the entire higher education sector.
The Award of Excellence in Research was given to Dr Anita Zaidi, Chair, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, for being at the forefront of world-class research in defining low-cost solutions to reduce the high burden of death of newborn and child deaths associated with infectious diseases in the developing world.
The Award of Excellence in Education was given to Ms Jacqueline Dias, Director, BScN Programme and Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan for her leadership of baccalaureate education at the School and in Pakistan.
The Award of Distinction was presented to Dr Thomas Christie, the founding director of the Aga Khan University Examination Board. Dr Christie’s work is devoted to the promotion of educational change through the creation of public examination systems.