The Aga Khan Academy Maputo celebrates its Class of 2024

On Saturday, 18 May, the Aga Khan Academy Maputo celebrated its graduating class of 18 exceptional students from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). 

The graduates, who hail from Mozambique, Portugal, India, France and Pakistan, were joined by their parents, extended family members, students, staff and other invited guests for their special day. The ceremony was also live streamed to additional family members, alumni, the Aga Khan Academies network and the wider community, reaching over 850 people from Mozambique, Angola, Syria, Pakistan, Tanzania and many more countries. 

Before the main ceremony, a special pinning ceremony was conducted for the graduating class. This tradition across the Academies marks the completion of the students’ time at the Academy as they join a growing legacy of over 1,700 alumni across the network. 

The graduates then convened in the Academy’s Commons for the official graduation ceremony, which began with opening remarks from Head of Academy Mr Roy White. 

“I only need to look around and can see several young people who I know have shown such bravery,” Mr Roy said. “These young people have demonstrated courage in their writing and art. They have shown bravery in their extended essays, oral exams and even on the sports field. Let us not forget their resilience in tackling those maths IA drafts, whether it was the fifth, sixth or perhaps even the eighth iteration!” 

The keynote speaker for this year’s graduation was Dr Tomás Timbane, a professor of law at the University of Eduardo Mondlane and a member of the International Court of Arbitration, the world’s leading arbitral institution. Dr Timbane spoke about about the mission and vision of the Academies and how it resonates with Mozambique’s commitment to providing an inclusive education for all. He also encouraged the Class of 2024 to keep an open mind and seize opportunities.

“Each of us can be anywhere!” he said. “It does not matter how many difficulties we face, what conditions we live in or how circumstances conspire against us. It all depends on your commitment. You just need to gain the determination to do something with your life.”

Graduates of the Academies have gained admission to some of the world’s leading universities, such as Monash University, the University of British Columbia, Swiss Hotel Management School and many more.

As part of the IB DP, students undergo a rigorous two-year journey accompanied by the Academy’s unique and comprehensive academic programme, which promotes leadership skills and approaches to community service. They also demonstrate a sustained commitment and a desire to support the development of their communities and beyond.

Mohammed Arhsiyaan, a Class of 2024 graduate, exemplified this commitment as a student. He received the Award of Excellence, a recognition given to students at graduation who exhibit exemplary holistic development over the DP and personify the Aga Khan Academies Learner Profile. During the DP, Mohammed worked with his colleagues to develop a handbook to support Grade 5 students in enhancing their Microsoft Office skills. He was also selected to participate in the Yale Young Global Scholars programme at Yale University in 2023.

“I feel amazing for receiving this award and I am thankful to my friends, colleagues and the teachers at the Academy,” Mohammed said. “As a student at the Aga Khan Academy Maputo, I was involved in lots of projects to better serve my community. I hope I can take this further and work to help others.” 

On behalf of the Aga Khan Academies network, we wish the graduating Class of 2024 all the best in their future endeavours. The Aga Khan Academy Maputo’s Class of 2024 graduation ceremony is available to watch online on Facebook and YouTube.