Since being unveiled as our mascot in November, our four-legged friend has set up a comfortable lair near the cricket and football ground at the AKU Sports and Rehabilitation Center.
Convocation 2019 sees the transformation of the ground into a tented arena to celebrate our students’ achievements; this led to our mascot searching for a new, temporary shelter on the Karachi campus.
We caught up with our mascot to learn about the search for a new resting place and to find out how our final-year nurses, doctors, educators and dental hygienists are feeling as they get ready to graduate.
Why did you set up your lair at the Sports and Rehabilitation Center?
It’s perfect for so many reasons! I can also prowl the green ‘savanna’ near the swimming pool and go for a hunt in the Tea Garden!
Morever, the huge cricket and football ground remind me of the open expanse of Nairobi National Park and I enjoy leaping off the stairs which is a perfect place for an agile mammal like me.
My lair is in the big bed of plants and trees by the entrance. It’s so comfortable and I’m so close to the running track: one of my favourite places on campus.
How has your experience of Convocation 2019 been?
It’s been such a mix of emotions. At first, I was excited to see the poles come up. For a moment I thought, there were putting up a circus tent. And when I heard that students from the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations were coming to Karachi I was hoping they would bring my cousin tiger from the London Zoo!
And then came the news. The Office of Dean of Students told me the cricket and football ground would be off limits for the next few weeks during Convocation preparations. That’s when it dawned on me that I’d need to find a new resting place and hunting ground. At first, I was a little unsettled about having to change places but then my courageous spirit took over and I hopped on board the campus shuttle.
Where did you go?
I went straight to the lake. As soon as I saw the water, the little hills and the wildlife, I felt a sense of calm. It was lovely spending time there but since November means winter in Karachi it’s too chilly to stay outdoors.
So I headed over to the Center for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) which has a wonderful courtyard. Unfortunately, a crocodile has taken up the best spot there. Also, it’s not the best place to take a nap as there are so many exciting events happening there all the time.
That said, I did learn something new. I used to think the CIME would be full of state-of-the-art, high fidelity humans because of all the ‘man’nequins. Who knew the mannequins aren’t men but they can mimic humans! What an amazing idea!
Overall, I really enjoyed my time at the CIME but then that naughty cat showed up and started acting like I was in its territory. So I decided to find another place to call my own.
Where else did you go and what did you like?
Well, I liked the Medical College quad, it’s really pleasant with loads of room to stretch and lie down. Everything is good except for those eagles that attack everyone’s samosas!
I also like the reflecting pools by the auditorium because it’s so convenient for me. The running water means I’m never thirsty. Plus, if they add some fish to the pools then the carp could roll down the water feature straight into my mouth, like a sushi conveyor belt! How great would that be?
After those two spots, I went on a big adventure through the teaching hospital which is so big that I got lost! Someone opened a door near the main hospital entrance and I stepped in. And then I couldn’t figure out where to go as there was just a long, spiral staircase before me.
Thankfully, a nursing student and a medical student wearing a blue uniform with matching blue, fluffy shoes came down the stairs. They were really friendly and told me I was near the Services building. We got chatting and it turns out that we had something in common: both of them will be searching for a new home too as they will be leaving the campus hostels after they graduate!
How were they feeling about Convocation 2019?
Just like me, they mentioned feeling a mix of emotions. There is a little anxiety about leaving a place they’ve called home for so many years but also a sense of excitement and adventure as they move into a new phase of their lives. Thankfully, I’ll never have to miss AKU as much as they do as I’m going to be based on our campuses for life!
I reminded the students that they’ll always be a part of the University family. I also mentioned that a great deal of our students come back to AKU for postgraduate study and even master’s degrees, some even return to work at the University or the Hospital. I also told them about the Alumni Affairs office and how everyone on campus will eagerly welcome them whenever they visit.
What are you doing on convocation?
I’m going to be right there cheering on all the students and you’ll see me stationed right outside the tent at the student entrance.
I’m especially happy to see the cricket ground decked out in my colours: green and white, and I gather all the students will be wearing green robes with white graduation caps too. I’ll feel right at home!
What are your plans after convocation?
I’ll stay in Karachi to greet our first years at Orientation Week in December. And in February, I’ll be travelling to East Africa to be a part of the celebrations at our campuses in Nairobi, Dar and Kampala.