AKU’s 25th batch of students step into the real world

95 students were awarded MBBS degrees by the medical college.

KARACHI: The convocation is a memorable event for any graduating class but, this year, the students and faculty of Aga Khan University (AKU) were overjoyed to be part of the institution’s 25th convocation ceremony.

Nearly 400 people had gathered inside the Aga Khan University (AKU) auditorium on Saturday. A total of 321 degrees were conferred to students, who were dressed in the traditional green and white convocation robes, commonly referred to as Jamiapoashs. Irfan Ahmed Siddiqui, who came from the United States, summed up the graduates’ feelings in his valedictorian speech. “I consider myself privileged to join a league of individuals who have upheld the highest principles of our profession with grace and dedication.”

A few members of AKU’s Class of 2012 had already left their home province or, in some cases, their countries, to pursue higher studies. Hajee Parveen, 32, who was awarded a doctorate in education by the Institute for Educational Development, hails from Hunza Valley. Parveen said that she moved to Karachi nearly five years ago and has completed her thesis under the supervision of St Joseph’s College principal Dr Bernadette Dean. “[AKU] provides an opportunity for its students to seek a better future,” she told The Express Tribune. The future surely seems bright for her as she was offered a faculty position at the institute even before she officially received her doctorate.

Omidullah Khawary, who is from Afghanistan’s Parwan province, also graduated from the Institute for Educational Development. While the quality of education was an important factor that made him apply to AKU, Khawary said that the similarities between the two cultures also attracted him. “I had to work on my writing though, as the education system in Afghanistan encourages rote learning,” he said. Khawary added that he will leave for Kabul soon and try to contribute to educational development in his war-torn country.

Perhaps afraid of a brain drain now that the students had completed their education, federal finance minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh reminded the graduates of their duty to their country in his keynote address. “You have the power to transform societies and to fundamentally alter the lives of people.”

AKU president Firoz Rasul maintained that pursuit of quality was the driving force behind the university’s success. It is during times of change or crises that “quality standards help maintain confidence, provide an anchor and enable individuals, businesses and institutions to not just survive, but thrive,” observed Rasul.

The graduating students

AKU’s Medical College awarded 94 MBBS degrees, and 19 diplomas in human development and health professions education. Another 29 students received their Master’s of Science degrees in bioethics, epidemiology and biostatistics, and health policy and management. The School of Nursing and Midwifery conferred a total of 140 degrees, comprising 11 postgraduate degrees, 78 Bachelor’s and Post-RN Bachelor’s degrees and 51 diplomas in general nursing. The Institute of Educational Development awarded 31 Master’s and a doctorate degree in education. Zeb Aijaz Saeed and Sana Asghar Ali Habib received best graduate awards from the Medical College and School of Nursing respectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2012.