At the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, Ham Serunjogi – CEO and co-founder of African fintech giant Chipper Cash – realised the importance of staying connected to something larger than himself. The Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree is now serving as an advisor to the US President on African diaspora engagement.
Academies Teacher Preparation Programme – Creating leading IB educators
The Aga Khan Academy Dhaka
“This new Academy will be an important node in a network of 18 schools throughout the developing world, providing world class education for young men and women from all backgrounds, irrespective of ability to pay. It will be a remarkable place to go to school.”
His Highness the Aga Khan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 20 May 2008
Introduction
The award-winning Aga Khan Academy Dhaka represents a significant investment in education by the Aga Khan Development Network for the benefit of Bangladesh. It will become a new national asset for the whole country – and for its broad educational community.
This not-for-profit school will be part of an integrated network of Aga Khan Academies located across 14 countries. The Academy is being established to provide exceptional students with an outstanding education to prepare them for leadership roles in Bangladesh and across the world. Students are selected based on merit, regardless of socio-economic background, gender, race or religion. This ensures that talented students from all sectors of Bangladeshi society can access a world-class education.
Through its Professional Development Centre (PDC), the Academy will also act as a regional hub for academic innovation and excellence. The PDC is dedicated to training new teachers to the highest standards while offering veteran teachers the opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of education through research and practice. This expertise is then shared to enhance teaching and learning at government and other schools.
Award-Winning Design
The Aga Khan Academy will be located on a 20-acre plot in Bashundara, Dhaka and will enrol 750 students (K–12) with a capacity to expand to 1,200. Residential facilities will be provided for students and staff to allow for wide participation and enable a diverse learning community. The school has been designed by renowned international architects to ensure the best possible educational experience in a physical environment that resonates with local Bangladeshi culture and architectural traditions.
The design for the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka received the award for best ‘Future Education’ project at the World Architecture Festival 2017, held on 15-17 November in Berlin, Germany. The award recognises the excellence of the school’s design as well as the project’s intention to generate positive social impact, which arises from the mission and values of the Aga Khan Academies and the wider Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The vision of the Academies is to develop future leaders with the skills and knowledge to positively support development in their own societies.
Construction of the Academy begun in 2018, with classes for students planned to start in 2020.
Educating Future Leaders
The Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka will develop leaders with a pluralistic sensibility – individuals who are proudly Bangladeshi yet also connected to the larger, cosmopolitan world. The Academies programme, which is based on the highly regarded International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, prepares students to succeed in a globally competitive world while also connecting them to their own language, literature, history and heritage. As they grow to take on leadership roles, this education uniquely prepares them to address the issues facing their communities with solutions that draw on global best practices and are appropriate to the local context. As language is essential to leadership, the Aga Khan Academy will provide bilingual education in English and Bangla, ensuring that students maintain strong ties to their roots. Service learning projects also cultivate the ethic of serving one’s community. In helping their neighboring communities, students are exposed to the challenges they face and learn to come up with contextually appropriate solutions.
Global Linkages
The Aga Khan Academy Dhaka will be the fourth school in a planned network of 18 campuses in Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East, following Mombasa (Kenya), Hyderabad (India) and Maputo (Mozambique). Academy teachers and students will be able to collaborate across this network via technology to share experiences with others from different cultures. Teacher exchanges between schools provide exposure to different learning environments and opportunities to share best practices with colleagues. Student exchanges between schools are also planned to allow them to experience another culture first hand and further their experience of living in a pluralistic world.
International Partners
Education at an Aga Khan Academy is enriched by unique academic and co-curricular partnerships. The Academies work closely with AKDN agencies across many areas including for curricular innovation and to offer students in-depth service learning and internship experiences. Partnerships with internationally renowned institutions contribute to the quality of the Academies’ curriculum and professional development programmes, and ensure that the Academies maintain and enhance their international standing. Partners include the International Baccalaureate, the University of British Columbia, Concordia University, the Government of Ontario (Canada) and Microsoft, with the Academies in Mombasa and Hyderabad having both been recognised as Microsoft Showcase Schools.
Academies Teacher Preparation Programme - creating leading IB educators
International Baccalaureate
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo follows the principles of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and is preparing to become an authorised IB World School.
The International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission to create a better world through education.
The three IB programmes for students aged 3 to 19 help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalising world.
Aims of the IB Programme
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalureate currently works with 3,423 schools in 141 countries to develop and offer their programmes to over one million students.
Their mission statement declares: "The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect."
"To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."
The IB is more than its educational programmes and certificates. At heart they are motivated by a mission to create a better world through education.
They value their hard-earned reputation for quality, for high standards and for pedagogical leadership. They achieve their goals by working with partners and by actively involving stakeholders, particularly teachers.
The three programmes are:
Primary Years Programme
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) focuses on the development of the whole child, addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs, while giving students a strong foundation in all of the major areas of knowledge.
Through the PYP, children become aware of and sensitive to the points of view of people in other parts of the world.
Middle Years Programme
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) integrates the study of all the major disciplines, including languages, sciences, literature and the social sciences, mathematics, arts, technology and physical education.
The MYP normally includes a service component designed to encourage students to become involved with their communities.
Diploma Programme
The Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year course of study that prepares students for university. All DP students study languages, a social science, an experimental science, mathematics and, usually, an arts subject.
At the same time as it provides a form of academic passport, the DP generally fulfils the requirements of a student's national education system. Each student's performance is evaluated by independent examiners and measured by his or her levels of knowledge and skills relative to set standards applied to all schools.
For further information please visit the IB website.
International Baccalaureate
The Aga Khan Academy, Dar-es-Salaam follows the principles of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and is preparing to become an authorised IB World School.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission to create a better world through education.
The three IB programmes for students aged 3 to 19 help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalising world.
Aims of the IB Programme
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalureate currently works with 3,423 schools in 141 countries to develop and offer their programmes to over one million students.
Their mission statement declares: "The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
"To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."
The IB is more than its educational programmes and certificates. At heart they are motivated by a mission to create a better world through education.
They value their hard-earned reputation for quality, for high standards and for pedagogical leadership. They achieve their goals by working with partners and by actively involving stakeholders, particularly teachers.
The three programmes are:
Primary Years Programme
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) focuses on the development of the whole child, addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs, while giving students a strong foundation in all of the major areas of knowledge.
Through the PYP, children become aware of and sensitive to the points of view of people in other parts of the world.
Middle Years Programme
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) integrates the study of all the major disciplines, including languages, sciences, literature and the social sciences, mathematics, arts, technology and physical education.
The MYP normally includes a service component designed to encourage students to become involved with their communities.
Diploma Programme
The Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year course of study that prepares students for university. All DP students study languages, a social science, an experimental science, mathematics and, usually, an arts subject.
At the same time as it provides a form of academic passport, the DP generally fulfils the requirements of a student's national education system. Each student's performance is evaluated by independent examiners and measured by his or her levels of knowledge and skills relative to set standards applied to all schools.
For further information please visit the website of the International Baccalaureate at http://www.ibo.org.
Mozambican teachers graduate from the Academies’ Teacher Preparation Programme
International Baccalaureate
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa follows the principles of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and is an authorised IB World School.
The International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission to create a better world through education.
The three IB programmes offered at the Academy help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalising world.
The three programmes are:
Primary Years Programme
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) at the Academy, for students aged 6–10, focuses on the development of the whole child, addressing social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs, while giving students a strong foundation in all of the major areas of knowledge. Through the PYP, children become aware of and sensitive to the points of view of people in other parts of the world.
Middle Years Programme
The Middle Years Programme (MYP), for students aged 11–16, integrates the study of all the major disciplines, including languages, sciences, literature and the social sciences, mathematics, arts, technology and physical education. The MYP normally includes a service component designed to encourage students to become involved with their communities.
Diploma Programme
The Diploma Programme (DP), for students aged 16–19, is a two-year course of study that prepares students for university. All DP students study languages, a social science, an experimental science, mathematics and, usually, an arts subject.
At the same time as it provides a form of academic passport, the DP generally fulfils the requirements of a student's national education system. Each student's performance is evaluated by independent examiners and measured by his or her levels of knowledge and skills relative to set standards applied to all schools.
Aims of the IB programme
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalureate currently works with 3,423 schools in 141 countries to develop and offer their programmes to over one million students.
Their mission statement declares: "The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect."
"To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."
The IB is more than its educational programmes and certificates. At heart they are motivated by a mission to create a better world through education.
They value their hard-earned reputation for quality, for high standards and for pedagogical leadership.
They achieve their goals by working with partners and by actively involving stakeholders, particularly teachers.
For further information please visit the IB website.
Meet Our School Community
Spotlights on Alumni
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Although it has been a few years since he graduated from the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, Alqaim Lalani, Class of 2019, says his years at the Academy had a major bearing on his academic career and strongly influenced his outlook on life. Now, as a graduate of Columbia University in New York, Alqaim is giving back to the Aga Khan Academies community that he says shaped his life and gave him so much.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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."
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Muskaan Bhaidani is an alumna of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa who was in the Class of 2020. Graduating with an impressive International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) score of 44 out of 45, Muskaan is now attending McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy General
Congratulations to the Class of 2022! We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what you do next. As we welcome our new graduating class to our alumni community, we asked four distinct graduates from the Aga Khan Academies in Mombasa and Hyderabad about their journeys and aspirations.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Qamili Dave, a 2017 alumna of AKA Mombasa, discovered her passion for the culinary arts during her AKDN DP1 Internship at Serena Beach Hotel. Since then, she has gone on to pursue her passion for cooking, including undertaking Harvard courses to perfect her skill. What Qamili loves most about being a chef is preparing a good satisfying meal that warms the hearts of people.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Lilian Odera, a 2015 alumna of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa and recipient of the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) award, is the embodiment of a true leader and agent of change. True to form, she has a passion for actively being involved in community-based initiatives to influence change and creatively find solutions to issues in whatever way she can.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Aleesha Suleman, a graduate student at UCL-Qatar, has never lost sight of what has always been important to her: giving back to her home country of Kenya.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Raghuveer Vyas, director of the United Nations Initiative at New York University, is on a mission to bring change to the world through policy development and fostering a continuous dialogue between international leaders and the youth.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Hussein Jiva graduated from the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa after what he feels was a transformative journey.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
With a determination to change her country into a land of opportunity for all, Anzhela Mirzoeva, a recent graduate from the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, will further her education at the Connecticut College in the United States by studying International Relations and Human Development.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
For Alqaim Lalani, his recent graduation from the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa brings him one step closer to realising his dream of attaining a deeper understanding of how economics and politics affect the world around is. Alqaim will be enrolling at Columbia University in fall 2019, as a prestigious Kluge scholar.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
''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 Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
"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 Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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 Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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."
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.”
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Josephine Awino, alumna of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, will be attending Wellesley College for her undergraduate studies in environmental science. She shares a reflection on her personal journey at the Academy in which she developed a sense of self and fostered her passions.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Muriuku Njonjo graduated from the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa with the receipt of a full scholarship to the University of Waterloo in Canada. He shares a personal reflection about his time studying at the Academy: "The Academy changed my way of thinking, my way of doing things and informed my purpose in life."
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Kamila Janmohamed graduated from the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa this year. Upon anticipating her upcoming start at Yale University, Kamila reflects on the intellectual growth and strong sense of self she has developed over the past four years at the Academy.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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."
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Joshua Abuto tells an inspiring and promising tale of what drives him to sustain his vision of making a difference in the lives of his fellow citizens in Kenya. A 2016 graduate of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, Joshua is currently in his second year at the University of Texas at Arlington on a scholarship where he is studying computer science and engineering.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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."
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
An alumus of AKA Mombasa and University of California Berkeley, Rahim reflects: "The Academy helped me to grow to be the man I am today by instilling values of social conscience and intellectual curiosity that I continue to hold precious today."
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Mary considers her time at the Academy in Mombasa to be a gift. With compassion and leadership, she is determined to help students with similar backgrounds succeed and receive the same opportunities she was granted.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Danish is global citizen with a creative approach to life. One of his many achievements is the award-winning app, Orai, which aims to make anyone become a better public speaker using artificial intelligence.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
“The Academy helped instil within me a need to contribute to community where possible and a sense of self confidence and teamwork.”
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
“I believe that with education, people have the power to tackle and solve problems that affect their communities,” reflects Kelvin Njue, a graduate from the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa who has benefitted from the Ontario Tuition Waiver Programme.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Ruhi Kamal Manek, an alumna of the Aga Khan Academies Mombasa, took away one enduring lesson from the Academy: the importance of engaging in thoughtful and careful consideration of diverse opinions.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Aleem Mawji shares his journey of self-discovery, which began at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa and continued towards creating tangible change.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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, Class of 2014
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Aga Khan Academy graduate Joshua Tibatemwa swam for Uganda in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. He credits the Academy with growing him not just academically but "as a person.” He plans to return to Uganda, saying, “If I want things back home to change, I have to work to be the change.”
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
“I think that at the end of the day what everything comes down to is how we can be citizens of the world and how we can change the world that we live in to make it a better place for ourselves and children that follow us. And part of that also means giving back to your own community,” says Karishma Bhagani.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
"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."
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Kashyap Gohel, who graduated from the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, tells us about his experiences and how the Academies contributed his many accomplishments.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Ham Serunjogi, an alumnus of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, is a natural leader, bold thinker and team player. A recent graduate of Grinnell College in Iowa, Ham traveled widely before landing a job at Facebook. He has a passion for making connections that give back.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
"There are a lot of values that the Academy instilled in me that I carry to this day. It has taught me the importance of being aware of the community around us as well as giving back to the community whenever possible," says Class of 2012 alumnus Fatema Sheikh.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
“I believe [Aga Khan Academy Mombasa] is where I shaped my values that I still hold to this day. It is also where I saw and felt the importance of building a community, no matter how large or small.” Indeed, the importance of these values to Mirabelle Arodi is obvious in her actions after graduation from the Academy.
Spotlights on Teachers
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
From the construction of the Aga Khan Academy Maputo’s very first buildings to some of its final facilities, Laura Ivens Brandão has been involved in the AKA Maputo’s development and expansion since the very beginning.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
When Milka Gatungoh joined the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa in 2010 as the residential school nurse, she knew her experience was going to be exciting and fulfilling.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Since he joined the Academy in 2015, Titus has been a transformational leader. He is passionate about continuously developing effective teaching practices, thus giving students the best learning experiences. As he expresses, “There is no greater joy than nurturing young learners and witnessing them grow into more responsible, reflective and increasingly independent individuals.”
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Joining the Academy virtually for the new academic year 2020 - 2021, our new Senior School Principal is excited to provide support to our teachers and collaborate with them in order to make as big an impact as possible as a group.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Shouquot Hussain was born and raised in India and has been the Vice Principal of the Diploma Programme (DP) at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa for seven years.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
During her time at AKA Mombasa, Samantha Caras has transformed the University Counselling department by providing numerous resources to students and helping them apply to different universities around the world.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Participating in theatre and drama activities helped Rosa Jorge from a very young age. It gave her the courage to break out of her shell and now she wants to empower her students at the Aga Khan Academy Maputo with the same tools to become well rounded individuals.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Throughout the course of her teaching journey, Adilia Cabral has valued the importance of inclusivity in creating an engaging and fruitful environment in the classroom. She shares details of her evolution during her time at Aga Khan Academy Maputo.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Fiona Makena Kinyua graduated from the Teacher Preparation Programme at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa in June 2019 and is taking classrooms by storm, one student at a time.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
For Idah Khan O'Neill, PYP Teacher Coach at the Aga Khan Academy Maputo, having the opportunity to join the Academies network and help realise His Highness the Aga Khan's vision for education in Mozambique is a privilege, as she shares: “It is my mission, in my capacity as a Teacher Coach, to be able to help realise this goal through play and creativity with regards to the way we teach and learn.”
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
For the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator, Rebecca Nichols, the sky is the limit when envisaging the future of the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo, Mozambique. More importantly, in her eyes, how the Academy keeps growing, shaping and expanding its role in the country and beyond must lie in the hands of students.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
By using mentorship and seeing the potential in all of her students’, Harriet Chadwick, a Humanities teacher, helped her students understand and appreciate Humanities, while also encouraging them to become leaders.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
With a community-centered and open-minded mindset, Clare McLaughlin, an Academy fellow, promoted new ideas and programmes, which enabled the Academy to grow in many ways.
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
With the support of his colleagues, Stephen Nyundo, a Mathematics teacher and head of the department, has helped students implement strategies to help themselves and others in Mathematics.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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."
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Throughout his time at AKA Mombasa, Ryan Herman, an Academy fellow, has worked on various projects and programmes at the Academy, all aimed at helping students realise their academic potential and more.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Ask Maike Silver, Junior School Principal at the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo, Mozambique, what attracted her to teach at the Academy. “The vision and mission of the Academy,” she states simply. “The vision to inspire young people into becoming future leaders of their countries. To actually have the ethical persuasion to make a difference in the lives of their countrymen.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Students Cinzia Torriani (year 10) and Alisha Doshi (DP1) interviewed Alison Hampshire, the new Head of Academy at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. They discussed important themes in education, passions, dreams and life lessons.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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 Aga Khan Academy General
Jonathon Marsh has system-wide responsibility for teacher development at the Aga Khan Academies network and has worked for the Academies for the past 10 years. In this interview, he shares the highlights of his position at the Academies, and reflects on how the Academies are unique from other educational institutions: "I see the profession of teaching as critically important to the health and ongoing development of any society. As such, I can think of no better way to contribute to the betterment of humanity."
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Pinto, a teacher at AKA Maputo, shares: “I chose a career in teaching because I like to share what I know with others, especially young people, to help them to overcome the challenges in life. Being a teacher is like taking care of something special, so I decided to take care of that special thing, walking together in order to discover the world around us.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Inner delight and the satisfaction obtained from working for a cause are the rewards I seek from my work.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Sumeya Taquidir shares, “I am conscious that learning is a continuous process; every day we learn something new [which] makes me more curious to learn new things. That is why we have to be creative and dynamic teachers.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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."
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Nuala, the Learning Student Support Coordinator in Mombasa, endeavours to improve social outcomes through strategic planning and capacity building at the local government and community level. She explains her role, her journey and the culture of pluralism at the Academies.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Bernardo learned from the Aga Khan Academies that knowledge cannot just be seen as something that starts and ends in a classroom, but that knowledge should also be applicable outside the classroom to solve real problems in real life.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“I wake up every morning and look forward to seeing my students in class.”
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Courageous and confident, Maria Atalia Matola travelled out of Maputo, Mozambique for the first time in her life to teach at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya as part of the Aga Khan Academies’ Teacher Preparation Programme (TPP).
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
"What one must paint is the image of resemblance—if thought is to become visible in the world" - Rene Magritte.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
“I have had the opportunity to grow and learn as both an educator and an individual through my interactions at the Academy and through daily life in Mombasa," reflects Andrew Jones, a teacher seconded to the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa from Ontario. After his time at the Academy in Mombasa, Andrew has gained insight into three best teaching practices that he will share in Ontario.
The Aga Khan Academy General
Theresa Urist has always had a strong desire to support students in their academic careers, which led her to the position of Global Director of University Counselling in 2015 at the Aga Khan Academies.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Lucy Mwandawiro has been a chemistry teacher at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa for 11 years. However, she has grown and developed in many more areas, such as her involvement with the Educating Girls in Science project and her role as a dorm parent in the residences. Here, she shares some insights about her journey at the Academy.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
“I think one of the biggest assets the Academy has is the diverse cultural background in the student body. Having players coming from all over the world from so many walks of life adds a unique element to playing as a team.”
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Christine Robertson is a veteran Ontario teacher who began a secondment to the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa in April 2016. She talks about her experience of coming to Kenya and her first days of getting to know the Academy.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Since he was 4-years-old, Ayaan Allarakhia has had a passion for music that has shaped his whole life. Over the years, the Grade 9 student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa has developed and strengthened his musical and performance skills. Now, after writing and releasing his own song and music video, Ayaan is on a mission to spread his love for music to all.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Naail Lakhani, a Year 5 student in Junior School, has demonstrated incredible maturity, leadership, and initiative since joining the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa in 2018. His proudest achievement is founding the Junior School Coding Club, an after-school extracurricular activity to teach coding to young minds.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Mwanapwani Said joined the Academy through the Talent Identification Programme in 2017. Since then, she has availed herself of every opportunity to thrive. Her experience at the Academy has shaped her outlook on life and she has been inspired to make a difference in society.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
When Raphael Mwachiti, a Diploma Programme (DP) student, got admitted to the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa on a fully funded scholarship through the Talent Identification Programme (TID) in 2015, he knew it was a life-changing opportunity.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Since a young age, Diploma Programme 1 student Cinzia Torriani has seen the environment around her deteriorate. Through the Academy's and her own personal initiatives, Cinzia is hoping for a greener tomorrow.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Year 9 student at AKA Mombasa Alyssa Jamal has played golf for almost her whole life – a sport that has taught her the importance of determination and focus.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Mahek Shah, a Diploma Programme student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, is driven to change the fact that the aviation industry is male dominated through her initiative called "Wings for Women." This young aviator chooses to be a pilot and not a passenger.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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 Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Meet Bilal, currently a student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. For Bilal, studying at the Academy has instilled in him the value of learning whilst always thinking about the bigger picture: understanding how his studies today will impact the world tomorrow.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Paul Davis, the Dean of Admissions at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, has led the Talent Identification Programme for nearly ten years. The programme identifies students in Year 6 in Kenyan government schools, in deprived socio-economic and educational areas of Kenya, who are academically able and show leadership potential. This May, seven of these students graduated from the IB Diploma Programme. Paul shares their marvellous stories.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo
Areesh Rehmani, a grade 6 student at the Aga Khan Academy Maputo, is a determined and dedicated learner. He has a passion for sports and a curiosity for scientific innovations and technological growth. Areesh shares how his learning is fuelled by the learner profile and by the values instilled in him at the Academy.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Saifan Aswani, a student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, knows the value of taking the time to appreciate his surroundings. He credits his experience of the past three years at the Academy for instilling in him the discipline of hard work, an appreciation of diverse cultures and the motivation to pursue this responsibility.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
In his final year of the Diploma Programme at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, Shad Bherani is ambitious, curious, and driven to become an engineer. Shad aspires to use his education and career as an engineer to give back and to serve his country and its people, by assisting in Pakistan’s development through technology.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Samy Natho Jina is not only a dedicated student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa - he is also a skilled and talented self-taught computer coder. Samy says, “For each and every project, I have spent countless nights out of my own free will fixing incorrect lines of code. It is my dream to make sure this talent and passion I have for software development and computers can be used to make this world a better place.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
"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.' "
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Through a personal reflection, Arzoo shares her experience at AKA Mombasa as she reflects on her journey in her final year: "Through the Academy I have made many of my dreams a reality."
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“To me, being ethical and humble are the most important things.”
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Being a global citizen, leader and environmental enthusiast is no easy task. Prabhdeep Lochab’s story is a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment that goes into innovating “green” solutions for a sustainable future.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Meet Sadiq, a student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. Open-mindedness, confidence and time management are some of the many characteristics he has developed at the Academy that will help him achieve his dream of becoming a journalist.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Meet Saumya, a student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. A musician and a leader, she shares her wisdom on what it means to make a true positive impact.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
"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."
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Introducing Ivy, a student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. Her innate drive for self-growth and desire to give back to the community makes her a true home-grown leader.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Meet Felix, a student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. With a keen early interest in science, he shares his dreams for the future and explains how the Academies have helped foster his ambitions.
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
This is Stephen, a student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. His passion for community service shines as he expresses the growth in perspective he experienced through his education at the Academy.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Sayema, currently in grade 11, directed and produced an impactful short film to create awareness on child rights for her IB MYP Personal Project.
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
“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.
The 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.”
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
"I wish to continue sharing my knowledge, what I have learned and will continue to learn, with my society."
The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
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.
Spotlights on Parents
The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa
Mrs Aneela Mukhi and Mr Altaf Mukhi, parents of Faliha Altaf Mukhi, share their experience: "Through our chain of observation, the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa surely plays an active role in the holistic development of every child. This is our consistent finding all through the two years of IB Diploma programme our daughter studied."
