Aga Khan Academies Class of 2020 virtual graduation ceremonies

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa and the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad celebrated their Class of 2020 through virtual graduation ceremonies. The ceremonies recognised the achievements of the graduands with special messages from the Director of the Aga Khan Academies, the Academy's Head of Academy and guest speakers, along with performances by staff and students. 

The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa

On Saturday 23 May, the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa celebrated the graduation of 67 exceptionally talented students from their Class of 2020, at a specially planned ‘virtual graduation ceremony’. 

Although a physical ceremony was not possible due to current COVID-19 lockdown measures, the virtual graduation was planned to honour the Class of 2020 and their achievements in completing their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme studies. As well as the graduating class, the ceremony was watched by over 400 households across the globe, many of which included their families, friends, teachers, alumni, and supportive well-wishers.

Speaking of the graduating class, Head of Academy Ms Alison Hampshire commented: “It has been a privilege to witness each and every one of these students develop both personally and academically over the past two years. Today, we have a cohort filled with kind, confident, talented, globally-minded and ethical leaders, each of whom we are confident will lead and excel in their chosen career paths. Indeed, despite the uncertainty around the world at present, and ever-increasing obstacles they have faced over the past months, the results of their resilience and hard work are clear today. We wish them the best of luck and success in their future endeavours.” 

Students from the Class of 2020 were offered over USD $6 million in university scholarships and admission offers to attend prestigious schools around the world, including Cambridge University, the Pratt Institute, Yale University, the University of British Columbia, McGill University and Concordia University, amongst many others.

The AKA Mombasa Class of 2020 virtual graduation ceremony is available to watch online here.

As a final tribute before graduating, the AKA Mombasa Class of 2020 created a fundraiser to raise money for the Academy’s Talent Identification Programme, which provides full scholarships for students to attend the Academy regardless of their socio-economic background. In the end, the Class of 2020 raised USD $57,677.

The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad

On Saturday 1 August, the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad held a special virtual graduation ceremony commemorating the achievements of its 92 exceptionally talented students from their Class of 2020. 

Although virtually held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was presided over by the Director of the Aga Khan Academies Dr Graham Ranger, Head of the Academy for AKA Hyderabad Dr Jonathan Long, Academy staff, parents and students themselves. The ceremony began with Dr Long addressing the graduates and their accomplishments throughout the year, despite the challenges, and the resilience each student has shown during this time. 

“We are not defined by our circumstances or the events in which we find ourselves, but how we respond and our quality of character. (This ceremony marks) a celebration of a vision that allows young people to live their life with purpose and passion, thereby allowing them to release their full potential.” 

Dr Long also said the graduation can be defined by three punctuation marks, including “a full stop because graduation brings to a close (the students’) Academy education. An exclamation mark because the day was a celebration of the accomplishments of young people who have given their best and risen above adversity, and finally a question mark because every ending is the beginning of something new and we ask the graduating class what comes next.” 

Despite the challenges they faced due to the pandemic, students from the Class of 2020 were offered over USD $3 million in university scholarships and admission offers to attend universities in over 10 different countries. 

The AKA Hyderabad Class of 2020 virtual graduation ceremony is available to watch online here.

As a final tribute before graduating, the AKA Hyderabad Class of 2020 created a fundraiser to raise money for the Academy’s Talent Identification Programme, which provides full scholarships for students to attend the Academy regardless of their socio-economic background. In the end, the Class of 2020 raised over USD $30,000.