Six students join AKA Hyderabad through our Talent Identification Programme

After months of collaboration within the AKDN community, especially between the Aga Khan Education Board India (AKEBI) and the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad, we are delighted to announce that six students from Saurashtra have been selected for admission into Grade 7 at the Academy for our Talent Identification Programme (TID). This life-changing opportunity has been possible thanks to the considerable generosity of a donour who is funding these six students on full scholarships all the way through to Grade 12.

Due to the pandemic, assessments were conducted online. Working with members of the National Council, a rigorous assessment process was designed. A survey carried out in Saurashtra showed that 25 per cent of the children taking this assessment didn’t have access to laptops/smartphones. The Academy reached out to the Regional Presidents in Saurashtra and the AKEBI Chairs in the region. Over 100 people volunteered to invigilate the assessments in each child’s home! Each of these volunteers was trained online by the Academy’s Admissions Office. The volunteers and the students followed all the required COVID-19 preventative measures.

The test papers were handed to volunteers on the day of the assessment and these were carried in sealed envelopes to the homes of the students. Each region was divided into blocks with local leadership ensuring that the process was properly implemented. Each volunteer was part of a larger group and reported to a person in charge of each location.

Over 175 assessments were conducted and these were reviewed by members of the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad faculty. 18 students were shortlisted for interview by representatives of AKEBI and the Academy. The interviews were conducted online to identify those outstanding individuals who had the potential to benefit most from an Academy education. 

On 7th August, Dr Jonathan Long, Head of Academy, informed the six students selected, and their families, on a Zoom call –  a moment of great celebration none of us will ever forget! The six students joining us are -

• Harsh Anil Nathani 
• Tanzil Nasir Gangani 
• Karina Ajani
• Snehanshi Kinnar Mithani 
• Smeet Amin Kotadiya 
• Aariz Gilani

We would like to thank our generous donour for making this transformative experience possible for these students. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Mr. Aslam Hirani, Ms Shamsha Merchant, and the entire team at AKEBI. We are also very grateful to the National Council for their support and encouragement. We are thankful to the Regional Presidents in Saurashtra and to all the volunteers who went out of their way to support this remarkable assessment process. To all the students who took the assessment, and their families, thank you! And, to the Director of the Office of External Affairs (Middle East and Asia), Mr. Malik Kotadia, for his constant support.

The Admissions Office,  Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad.