Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)
The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) hosted its High Achievers Ceremony to honour the outstanding academic accomplishments of students from the Sindh region. The event was hosted by Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President, Aga Khan University, who welcomed students, parents and esteemed guests. The ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Amir S. Fancy, Chairman of Fancy Group, as the Chief Guest.
AKU-EB High Achievers recognised a total of 145 students from Sindh of whom 103 were female, and 42 male. This impressive achievement contributes to the overall tally [KS1] of 185 High Achievers in Pakistan, reflecting the dedication and commitment of students across the nation. With 132 female High Achievers compared to 53 males on a national level, the AKU-EB continues to witness a commendable display of academic prowess among young women.
The event also highlighted the 10th Anniversary of the AKU-EB Bridge Scholarship, which is seen as a beacon of hope and opportunity for students to access quality education under the AKU-EB system. Rejoicing in the celebration, Mr. Amir S. Fancy invited students to dream big, emphasizing the role of service and giving back. Acknowledging the remarkable efforts of the high-achieving students, he invited them to embrace the journey of lifelong learning.
This year’s results are also noteworthy in that AKU-EB is seeing an increasing number of High Achievers coming from outside of Karachi, including Hyderabad, Naushahro Feroze, Dadu, Larkana, Ubauro, Khairpur, and Sukkur. This is a testament of the impact of AKU-EB’s efforts to improve access for talented youth across Sindh and Pakistan to achieve their potential.
Embracing students’ efforts under the AKU-EB system, Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin invited students to remember that no one succeeds on their own and that students should always remember those who stood by their side including their parents, teachers, peers, and the AKU-EB system. He asked High Achievers to, “Never stop having faith in your own abilities. Don’t lose that powerful curiosity about the world and how it works that keeps you excited about learning; that keeps you reading outside of class; that keeps you asking: “Why?” Why are things like that? And why can’t they be different? Never stop working hard.”
The AKU-EB High Achievers Ceremony not only celebrated academic success but also served as a platform to recognise the hard work, resilience, and intellectual growth of students in Sindh. The event brought together educators, parents, and students to applaud these exceptional individuals and inspire future generations to strive for excellence.
Ramisha Ammed, an AKU-EB National High Achiever who secured admission into AKU’s MBBS programme, spoke about her experience under the AKU-EB system. “Today, as we graduate, I can’t help but feel the weight of the global challenges that surround us, from the urgent calls of environmental degradation and the looming threat of global warming, to the rapid advancements in information technology and artificial intelligence. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of these challenges and opportunities, and the weight of the world can sometimes feel insurmountable. In the face of this all, AKU-EB has shaped us into individuals who are not just academically proficient, but socially conscious and compassionate.”
The ceremony was concluded by Dr Shehzad Jeeva, CEO, AKU-EB, who thanked students, schools’ leadership, and parents for their commitment to education. Dr Jeeva recognized the impact of the AKU-EB Bridge Scholarship across Pakistan and their remarkable success in academic and professional lives. He invited students to work hard and to understand that with every success comes a great responsibility; whether it be the responsibility to your family, to your school or to our nation, Pakistan.
The ceremony ended with a musical performance of ‘Sohni Dharti’ by students from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Karachi.
