Admission Requirements

Thriving on the principles of linguistic diversity, pluralism and academic excellence, the Aga Khan Academy Maputo is the third Academy of the 18 Academies planned worldwide. Its rich atmosphere not only nourishes students to be active learners, but also encourages young minds on how to maintain a balance between sports, academics and cultural activities.

Areesh Rehmani, a grade 6 student at the Academy in Maputo, is one such determined and dedicated student. An active learner and passionate sportsperson, he is significantly involved with academic, leadership and sports activities. Not only is Areesh curious to learn about scientific innovations and technological growth, he is also enthusiastic to learn new languages and gain knowledge about diverse cultures.

One of the languages Areesh is learning is Portuguese.  He proudly shares, “Learning Portuguese has had a very good impact on my life. I am now able to communicate well and when visitors come to my school I can converse in both languages (English and Portuguese).” Speaking both languages not only helps Areesh communicate with the local community, but also allows him to deepen his knowledge and learn from members of other communities as the Academy receives many visitors from Britain, Spain, Portugal and other countries.

Areesh also enjoys mathematics and science lessons. He explains, “Learning about new things has made a great difference. It is wonderful that now I am learning things that previously I didn’t know.” He speaks fondly about a science field trip he attended. The field trip was focused on educating the students about the cell theory in biology.  He says, “We saw real cells. These living cells were put into slides and after observing them we had to draw them.” Areesh particularly loved this innovative way of learning. He continues, “Doing this activity, I realised how I enjoy drawing too. And since, this was something I had never done before or seen – it was really fascinating.”

On asking him how he likes the Aga Khan Academy Maputo campus, he says, “I really like the campus – especially the library. It’s such a colorful space because it has so many books.  I also enjoy the IT room because we can use computers to learn. The science lab is also my favourite as here we can do many experiments, and I find science extremely engaging.” Some experiments Areesh and his classmates have conducted include researching about different organisms, using microscopes, and experiments to solve problems about mass and time.

He believes that classroom lessons such as these have also allowed him to become a better team player. He says, “I would define myself as a sportsman. I feel I am an active person. I enjoy sports activities like cycling, playing football, tennis and others. I’ve also played many football matches.” Areesh believes that sports make him more focused, and he is also happy when he is able to maintain a balance between sports and academics. Areesh has also participated in an inter-school football tournament where he was awarded the Man of the Match Award. Areesh says, “I was speechless, but also very grateful for such a wonderful opportunity.” Areesh’s favorite football player is Cristiano Ronaldo because he is respectful and honest.

In the future, Areesh hopes to visit the other Academies and learn more about other cultures and communities. Although learning about diverse cultures and languages excite him and are his passions, he believes that his career goals are more science and sports inclined. He aspires to be either a software engineer or a footballer. He says how earlier he wished to be an astronaut, but has realised how much he enjoys building new models. One day, Areesh hopes to use technology to create a positive impact in society.

Areesh believes the Academy’s learner profile has helped him define these ambitions and has improved him as a person. He says, “The learner profile helps me, and I learn more when I have the learner profile.” He affirms that adopting the qualities of the learner profile allows him to be a better student and a helpful person. The profile teaches him how to be more collaborative, and he is always ready to help any of his classmates with difficulties in academics or in other areas. Areesh explains, “In MYP (Middle Years Program) we have a whole group and we stay together. We have a united class and we are all very helpful and kind towards each other.” He believes, “Unity is the first step to success. Nothing can be done without unity. We all help each other and we grow together.”

By Khushboo Shah

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. He says his time and experience at the Academy have been the best seven years of his life, both professionally and personally. “To put it simply, the experience has been magical, happy, growth-inducing and memorable,” Shouquot says.

Shouquot says he will miss everything about the Academy; its diversity, the relationships he built with students and colleagues and the numerous events he got to be a part of. “I will miss it like I miss home,” Shouquot says. “My son literally grew up here. He was in Year 4 when he came here and has now completed the Middle Years Programme (MYP). In fact in all ways barring the passport, he is more Kenyan than he is Indian. Likewise, I will miss the home I built here – within the campus and without. I will miss the Mombasa vibe, which engulfs you with warmth, not frenzy.”

If there’s one thing the Academy has taught Shouquot, it’s to be respectful and accepting of the differences of others. “There are many ways to be right; I always knew this theoretically as an educator, but I got to really practice it experientially here,” He says. 

While at the Academy, Shouquot has contributed to several academic achievements. As a teacher in the English department, the Higher Level English class he taught in 2016 achieved an average of 5.92, the highest to be attained thus far at AKA Mombasa. The English Extended Essay (EE) that he supervised went on to score the highest marks yet in Africa. Furthermore, he initiated the Extended Essay Fair where students could visit subject-specific specialists to better understand the expectations of the EE, discuss possible topics and learn about the resources available to students before beginning their EEs.

However, not all of his achievements were academic. Shouquot has always been a champion of activities that encourage the holistic growth of students beyond the classroom. In 2013 he revived the boys cricket programme in Senior School, which has since won a championship. There is now a girls cricket team too. He also established the annual DP play and supported many other programme and events such as TEDxYouth@AKAMombasa and the annual graduation ceremony among others.

“For the last seven years that I have worked with Shouquot, I have come to know him as a passionate teacher who finds his spark working with students,” says Francis Kariuki, Principal of Senior School. “He is also a compassionate person who has the interest of students and colleagues at heart. As a leader, he is firm and supportive with a strong sense of fairness and justice. He has a spontaneous and fun-loving personality with unmatched love for books and movies. He is generous and always looking for opportunities to bring fun to others. We will miss him in the Senior School leadership team.”

For his next stop, Shouquot will be joining the Beacon Academy, an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Jakarta, Indonesia. There, he will navigate the DP English and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) programmes and introduce DP film studies as a subject. He also says he will support the school reinvent the curriculum design to allow for more experimentation and differentiated pacing with a bigger focus on formative assessments.