Statement by Chair Zakir Mahmood at the 2025 AKU convocation, Pakistan

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Chancellor of the Aga Khan University,
Princess Zahra Aga Khan,
Members of the Board of Trustees,
President Sulaiman Shahabuddin,
Leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters of AKU,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the Class of 2024:

As Salaam–o-Alaikum and good evening.

With the passing of AKU’s Founder, His Highness the Aga Khan IV, we all feel a profound sense of loss. But, as the Class of 2024 reminds us, to contemplate the Founder’s vision and the difference it is making in people’s lives is to be inspired.

His Highness had an unshakeable belief that progress is possible – that present realities do not limit future possibilities. In the 1960s and 1970s, he looked at the state of higher education, health care, nursing, and teaching and saw that they left much to be desired. He saw the countless obstacles that AKU would face in establishing itself. But he was not deterred. Such was his faith in Pakistan, and in the potential of a new university to positively impact the developing world.

His Highness believed that AKU could achieve international standards of quality and be a catalyst for change in its chosen professions. Improve health and education in disadvantaged communities, contribute to global knowledge and prepare students “to use knowledge to identify and to solve problems”. And, eventually, he believed it could develop into a truly international university.

That is what precisely AKU has done. Its achievements go far beyond anyone would have thought possible in 1983 – anyone, that is, other than His Highness. The institutions built by His Highness over the last seven decades, very much including AKU, will continue to change lives for generations to come.

Today, it is my honour on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the AKU community to welcome His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V as AKU’s new Chancellor. Under his guidance, we will strive to take the University to new levels of excellence and impact.

Ladies and gentlemen, His Highness Prince Rahim has requested that I share with you an important announcement. His Highness, in his capacity as the Chancellor, has appointed Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Pro-Chancellor of the Aga Khan University to act on his behalf.

This appointment recognises the very significant role that Princess Zahra has played on the AKU’s Board of Trustees. Having been appointed to the Board by our Founder in 2003, she has a deep understanding of AKU’s plans and programmes and of its founding vision. Princess Zahra has been closely involved in AKU’s growth and evolution, and in fostering collaboration between AKU and other parts of the Aga Khan Development Network, particularly in health and education. She has also served as a very effective international ambassador for AKU, and has taken a deep interest in its students, alumni, faculty, and patients.

Princess Zahra’s appointment shows His Highness’ strong determination to build on and advance the legacy of our Founding Chancellor and his strong commitment to the mission and vision of the University.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the AKU community, I congratulate and welcome Princess Zahra to the position of Pro-Chancellor. Princess Zahra, it will be an honour to work with you in your new role.

Graduands, today is a proud moment, not only for you and your family members, but for all of us at AKU. Congratulations. We can’t wait to see you use your knowledge to identify and solve problems and to demonstrate the present realities do not limit future possibilities.

Thank you.