382 graduands from the Medical College, School of Nursing and
Midwifery (SONAM) and Institute of Educational Development received
their degrees at the convocation ceremony. In a world that is highly
interconnected and fast-paced, graduands were encouraged to seek
opportunities to use their knowledge in both the developing and
developed context. They were inspired by their chief guest,
Oscar-winning journalist and documentary film-maker, Ms Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Having studied in Karachi, Ms Obaid-Chinoy pursued higher education in
USA, before returning to Pakistan to investigate socially significant
causes. Her films played a pivotal role in highlighting on international
platforms, the plight of Pakistan’s most vulnerable groups: young
children trained to be Taliban, transgenders, acid-victims and female
teachers and health workers. Sharmeen was awarded an Emmy and Oscar, in
2010 and 2012 respectively. She was also named one of the ‘100 most
influential people’ by Time magazine in 2012.
Ms Obaid-Chinoy
encouraged the graduands to make the right choices, even if it entailed
sacrifice and risk, so that they could ‘walk away from life without
regrets’.
At a national
level, with the initiation of the graduate programme in midwifery at the
School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), the Aga Khan University
maintained its leadership role in the education sector. The two-year
programme is the first of its kind not only in the country, but also
South Asia. It is a much-needed response to high maternal and infant
mortality rates in the region. A total of 21 women completed their
two-year training in midwifery at AKU.
Ali Hassan, the Class of 2014’s valedictorian acknowledged the support of faculty members, parents, friends and families:
“We
are all united as one today, in a shared sense of pride, in joining a
community of alumni that is known as much for its achievements as it is
for its sense of camaridary throughout the world…if there is one thing
we know, it is that we will never walk alone.”
In his
speech, President Rasul acknowledged the contribution of the alumni, who
in the last year alone, have pledged Rs 300 million (US $ 3 million) to
their alma mater.
A dinner was held after the convocation to
celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Women’s Residences at AKU. Senior
management of AKU and members of the Noor, Rupani and Karimi families,
whose donations helped build the Residences, were present at the dinner.
President Firoz Rasul highlighted His Highness’s vision for the
University, and the opportunities and challenges of working in a
borderless society. Aga Khan University is currently expanding its
education and health services in three continents, through highly
inter-connected campuses that match the needs of a rapidly changing and
information-rich environment.
