Broaden your horizons: Rootsians feted at silver jubilee ceremony

HEC chairman gave certificates, awards to students.

ISLAMABAD:

For Aun Abbas Zaidi climbing up to the rostrum with his head held high was a dream he yearned to fulfil since he was in kindergarten.

Zaidi, who got a scholarship of $64,000 per annum for his bachelor degree at Harvard University, was amongst the lucky students who were the centre of attention at the Silver Jubilee Award Ceremony of the Roots School at the Convention Centre on Wednesday.

Students walked up to the stage amidst roaring applause to receive awards and certificates from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Javaid Leghari and Roots School Director Khadija Mushtaq.

The recipient of the International Leader of Tomorrow Award, Rahma Nawaz shared her feelings, “It was an amazing experience when I was taking O level exams when I received a phone call about the Summer Scholarship in Germany, which was an opportunity to discover myself.”

Zaidi’s mother said she was proud of her son who used to be reluctant to do his homework saying, “I am not a magician.”

“But my son has proved that he is a magician by getting a scholarship to a top-ranking university.”

On the occasion, a visual timeline of some students was showcased in pictures. The mother of one of the students, Maida Nadeem, said she believed that the more faith you have in your destiny the closer you come to achieving your potential.

German Ambassador Cyrill Nunn said there were challenges as well as opportunities in Pakistan. “Pakistanis have great potential and I hope they will serve their country.”

Mushtaq said we are managing a school system which teaches its students to shine individually and serve their country after finishing their studies abroad.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.