GILGIT: The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) celebrated high-achieving students from Gilgit-Baltistan on Wednesday under the theme “The Light Within”, recognising their academic excellence and encouraging them to use their education to make meaningful contributions to society.
The ceremony, held on October 28, brought together education leaders, teachers, parents and students to celebrate academic achievements and highlight the importance of character, purpose and lifelong learning.
Professor Dr Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, attended the event as chief guest. He highlighted the role of teachers in guiding students and shaping their futures, while praising the performance of AKU-EB graduates admitted to IBA Karachi.
“ The AKU-EB students who come to IBA, Karachi are the best students we receive,” he said, encouraging the high achievers to pursue opportunities and aim high. He also said that AKU-EB high achievers rank among the top one per cent of students in Pakistan.
Aniqa Bano, an educator and social entrepreneur who attended as guest of honour, congratulated the students and urged them to recognise their potential to contribute to the country’s future.
“Pakistan is definitely going through a challenging time, and you are the ones with the potential to bring us out of this crisis,” she said, describing the students as a foundation of hope for the nation.
Ayesha Ahmed Shehzad, one of the high achievers who aspires to pursue medicine, reflected on the importance of looking beyond academic results and recognising the values that shape an individual’s character.
“Academic achievements matter, but they do not define our entire worth. Our character is also reflected in our compassion, our humility, and what we choose to do with the opportunities we receive,” she said.
Dr Naveed Yousuf, Chief Executive Officer of AKU-EB, thanked the guests, donors, parents and students for their continued support of education. He encouraged students to prepare for a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, technological advancements and emerging professions.
He said future challenges, including climate change and inequality, would require fresh perspectives and thoughtful solutions. Students, he added, would need to combine knowledge with adaptability, creativity, sound judgement and empathy.
Dr Yousuf also emphasised the importance of ethical decision-making, urging students to distinguish between what is possible and what is right, while remaining guided by a clear sense of purpose.
The theme “The Light Within” encouraged students to look beyond academic distinctions and recognise the values, convictions and aspirations that guide their decisions. It highlighted the importance of combining academic excellence with compassion, integrity and a commitment to serving others.
Through its High Achievers ceremonies, AKU-EB aims to recognise student achievements while motivating young people to pursue opportunities and use their education to contribute positively to their communities and beyond.
