75 students graduate from Aga Khan Academy

Shamshabad: The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad celebrated its sixth graduation ceremony at its campus near Shamshabad/RGI Airport. As many as 74 students of the class of 2019 concluded their International Baccalaureate Journey at the academy with a formal evening ceremony attended by fellow students, academy senior management, faculty and staff as well as parents, extended families and invited guests.

These students join a growing legacy of global young leaders, driven by the academy's unique curriculum and approach to education. The graduation marks a proud milestone of 1,000 such leaders across both the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad and its sister school, the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa (Kenya).

Speaking on the occasion, Sam Pickens, Deputy Director of Communications of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), said "I have learned in my life that it is far better for your own self and for society to do the right thing, even when the right thing is hard to do". "Your responsibility, as smart people, is also to be involved in the issues of the day.

To do this effectively, you must have the leadership skills, the wisdom and the knowledge not to mention a clear mind to make the decisions that impact the lives of millions of people in India, and around the world.

The Academy has been put here, I believe, for that purpose. Society is best served when it provides the space and the means for human beings to reach their fullest potential, regardless of their background…This school is therefore a means for you and society at large to reach both your and its full potential," he said.

Salim Bhatia, Director of Academies, addressed the graduating cohort as 'beacons of hope,' those who are 'putting into practice what you have learned as members of the Aga Khan Academies about the values we hold dear, including pluralism, ethics and civic engagement.'

Head of Academy Dr Geoffrey Fisher, spoke about the transition of the graduating students from those who are guided to those who are independent, encouraging them to be brave and ending with an entreaty: "The one thing you must not be is a cold and timid soul."