Jemin Patel’s journey to where he is now is the result of hard work and passion, values he picked up during his time at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. Now, he's working at one of Canada's top accounting and consulting firms, still standing by the notion, "hard work always wins."
Meet Our School Community
The students, faculty and parents of the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad are a socially conscious group of people committed to the development of their communities, their nation and civil society in the world at large. They understand that knowledge is a lifelong process of inquiry that leads to intellectual and personal growth. In this section we offer vignettes of members of the Academy family who are driven by the common goal of making a positive contribution to their society.
Spotlights on Alumni
Anahita Aman, a graduate of the batch of 2020 was here at the academy for 8 years. Currently pursuing History at University College London, she hopes to build a career in International Development.
''I do not want a career in something predetermined for me from this age. When I am asked where I will be 15 years from now, I can promise you it will not be cooped up in an office doing routine work. I will probably be out there inventing something meaningful and purposeful, something which can be used to change the world.”
The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is essential in enabling the Academies to develop well-rounded leaders of tomorrow. Hear from Zia Chapman, Class of 2018, and understand how this influenced her in choosing the Academy for her education. Zia is now a scholarship student at UBC in Canada.
Through the inquiry-based International Baccalaureate curriculum, the Aga Khan Academies aim to develop young individuals who will have the capacity to lead and to build strong civil democratic societies in the future. Hear from one of our alumni, Moiz Rajwani, Class of 2018, and see how we have been turning this vision into reality at the Academies. Moiz was awarded a scholarship at Western University in Ontario, Canada and enrolled in September 2018.
"I always wanted to work with people who spend every single day without any resources at their disposal, to work on the pressing issues that exist in India, issues that most of us never see through our rose tinted glasses."
“The IB curriculum followed at the Academy has played a pivotal role in building many essential skills for university life. Its skill-based learning approach, and connecting classroom learning to the real world, also prepared me well for higher education."
“The Academy helped me become comfortable with making mistakes and encouraged me to focus on identifying solutions instead – igniting an entrepreneurial spirit within me. It is this spirit which led me to take a year off, work on self-driving cars, build my own news-reading bot, experiment with developing a cloud-storage service and have the confidence to take the road less taken."
This 2014 AKA Hyderabad graduate is in some ways a time capsule from the Academy’s early years, and like a time capsule, she reminds us of things that have changed, and also about the things that have remained the same. “The Academy has made me the person I am today,” she says. “I wanted to give back to school what it has given me.”
I love that my classes are filled with students from all parts of the country, irrespective of their financial standing or cultural background. I strongly believe it helps build our vision of pluralism.
Ariq Kapadia, alumnus of the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad, shares a reflection on his personal journey during his time at the Academies: "The experience that I had in those five years at the Academy continues to develop me further and make me more capable of success."
Inaara Sarfani shares a reflection on her personal journey at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. She explains that her time as a student there entirely shaped the person she is today and allowed her to develop a far-reaching skillset.
Khushboo Shah shares a reflection on her personal journey at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad: "I believe that the Academy’s dynamic vision has allowed me to believe in my imagination, passion and curiosity while pursuing ambitious projects."
Imtiyaz Hariyani credits the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad with giving him more than just the academic skills he needs to succeed at the undergraduate level. “The spirit that the Academy embedded in me has allowed me to emerge as a global scholar with the support of my family and lifelong friends that I made in Hyderabad and elsewhere,” he explains.
Tanaz Hudda currently acts as the new poster girl for the University of Victoria. She graduated from the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad in 2016 and has just completed her first year of university in Canada.
Khushboo Khoja has a strong passion for helping others which she developed during her time at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. “I feel like my experience at the Academy was very significant as it made me realise that I am interested in working with social issues and trying to help communities,” she reflects.
Aman Punjani graduated from the Academy in 2016 and took a gap year to pursue his career as a competitive cyclist. Today, he is the U-23 Telangana state champion.
“Being part of an open-minded community that encouraged challenging what we were taught, the willingness to accept one another, and inspire each other to grow constantly, was very refreshing. I credit these experiences for much of who I am today.” – Dania Quadri, Academy alumna, class of 2014.
"The Academy is an environment that challenges and nurtures leaders that are fearless, courageous and stewards. I have always envisioned growing up to be one myself."
Spotlights on Teachers
Laboni Banerjee recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary with the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad as a Grade 3 teacher. Throughout her time, Laboni has seen the Academy grow in size through the number of programmes, students and staff, making the Academy a second home for her she is grateful to be a part of.
Sincere, kind and down-to-earth. These are some of the words many at the Academy have repeatedly used to describe the Diploma Coordinator of the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad.
Ajey, who holds several specialist degrees, ultimately found his calling teaching French at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. “The unconditional love and acceptance I receive from my students is the best testimony to my professional accomplishments,” he says.
“When we started out, we knew we had to set the standard for what the future would hold. The vision and the philosophy of His Highness the Aga Khan has been taught to us since when we were children; to see a culmination of this in the form of a school that aspires to raise leaders of tomorrow was immensely gratifying."
Anjum Budhwani always wanted to teach at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad, and since she got the job seven years ago, every day of work has been special. “Compassion builds a strong relationship between teacher and student,” she says.
“I had the freedom to run and develop the department,” Chandra says, of being the first drama teacher at the school. “I have used this freedom to develop the students’ abilities in acting, communication, confidence, creativity and thinking skills.”
AKA Hyderabad catering manager talks about his experiences as an artist, an army man, and a chef. “A person can be responsible and efficient towards his job only when has known himself,” he says.
They should always feel that I’m there for them, no matter the situation, or condition or time of day. You have to tailor yourself to the needs of the students... I change myself, as per their needs.
The Teacher Preparation Programme (TPP) is one of the Aga Khan Academies’ landmark teacher development initiatives. In this interview with Kamini Menon at the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad, TPP participant Maryam talks about the TPP’s unique aspects and her experience with the programme.
Inner delight and the satisfaction obtained from working for a cause are the rewards I seek from my work.
“I have always been inspired by the philosophy and implementing agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network, and it brings me great joy to have found a way to realise that career aspiration."
“It’s been a great pleasure to share my previous teaching experience here at the Academy,” commented Surendra. “The Academy is filled with enthusiasm when it comes to sports, particularly swimming.”
“I wake up every morning and look forward to seeing my students in class.”
"What one must paint is the image of resemblance—if thought is to become visible in the world" - Rene Magritte.
Vasanthi Thandlam, the Academy's Senior School English as an additional language specialist, has been selected as an Operation Smile sponsor for the Vietnam Medical Mission.
Spotlights on Students
Aanya Athota, grade 4K, is currently the youngest student being accepted to appear for the highest graded music examination conducted by the prestigious Trinity College London. She dreams of becoming a global music icon and spreading peace through music to make our world a better place.
One day, a friend taught Ananya, grade 3, how to do a cartwheel. There was no turning back, and she recently won gold medals at two city competitions in 2018!
“The Academy has a very unique, highly diverse and multicultural environment,” says 2018 graduate,Tvisha Devavarapu. Set to pursue a career in biology and research, read about this house captain's experience studying and playing at the Academy.
“When I was learning robotics as part of the enrichment club I never imagined that I would become the captain for a robotics team,” says DP1 student, Rudra Potluri. Now approaching his 6th year at the Academy, Rudra reflects on the opportunities he’s had in his academic career so far and the ways in which he has grown.
Passionate about animal rights, Shaivya Arya has used every opportunity possible to learn how to care for animals. “To save an innocent creature’s life, to help animals. It is time we make this a better world for us, for them, for all.”
Kelvin Bagthariya, a second-year Diploma student at Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad, believes the Academy has changed his mindset, teaching him to become independent, improving his self-esteem and allowing him to pursue his passion to make a change in his community.
Anahita Aman is in her seventh year at the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad. She is full of hopes and dreams and strives to get the most out of her days at the Academy so that she can ultimately give back to the community and society at large.
"I can’t be racing while I’m on campus, so I decided to become an automotive journalist and am now the head author of an automotive blog, 'The Drive Hub.' "
Attending school here has helped me recognise my potential, not just in studies but also in hobby sports! I love Scrabble and I want to become a professional player.
Being part of a team and also having been given positions of authority has taught me about leadership and the qualities one should inculcate to be an inspiring leader.
“To me, being ethical and humble are the most important things.”
"Being able to stand in front of 250 students and fulfilling the opportunity to give them what I had been given, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."
Sahir Devani, grade 11, shares his experience as an Academy representative at the IB World Student Conference held at King’s College London, from 6-12 August 2017.
Sayema, currently in grade 11, directed and produced an impactful short film to create awareness on child rights for her IB MYP Personal Project.
“For me, the best part of school is when we have service class, because I am very keen on serving my society and helping the community around me develop faster.” - Sazil Ramani, grade 10, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad.
“I came to this school searching for better opportunities and better facilities through which I can improve in sports and excel in music and studies,” says Samson. “I didn’t have these opportunities in my previous school and didn’t get a chance to play any sport.”
"I wish to continue sharing my knowledge, what I have learned and will continue to learn, with my society."
Advait Surana is a residential grade 10 student at the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad. He was selected as one of 18 students from different schools to represent Telangana state at the national U-15 football tournament in Delhi in early September 2016.
publications
AKA Hyderabad IB School Profile 2022-2023
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad has been awarded IB status by the International Baccalaureate
