Aga Khan Schools celebrates IB Class of 2026, signs higher education partnerships
Aga Khan Schools
· 5 min
AKDN
From 22–29 May, the Aga Khan Schools (AKS) celebrated 350 International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme graduates across its schools in Africa and Asia, and signed new Memorandums of Understanding with universities in Canada and the UAE.
The ceremonies – held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Hyderabad, India; Kampala, Uganda; Maputo, Mozambique; Mombasa, Kenya; and Nairobi, Kenya – brought together families, friends, educators, alumni and partners to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026. Alongside the presentation of certificates, the ceremonies featured performances by students and staff, as well as reflections on the graduates’ journeys and aspirations.
Students at the Aga Khan High School, Kampala performing a dance ahead of the graduation ceremony.
AKDN
Keynote speakers included Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre and Chairperson of BRAC Bangladesh; Dr Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, who spoke at two graduation ceremonies; Dr Juan González, Vice Provost for Global Engagement at The University of Texas at Dallas; Dr Mohamed Bamatraf, Executive Director of Murdoch University Dubai; Mr David Agnew, President of Seneca Polytechnic; and Dr Farouk Walji, Founder and Chairman of Newton Prep and a Class of 1968 alumnus of the Aga Khan High School, Nairobi.
“I was deeply impressed by the students I met – bright, alert and full of aspiration," Dr Walji said. "We spoke about university, the choices ahead of them and the responsibility that comes with life changing experiences. The new university partnerships being developed by the Aga Khan Schools are a significant step in supporting that onward journey. My message to the students was simple: learn widely, grow in confidence, remember your roots and return home to shine by serving the communities that helped shape you.”
Representatives from Lahore University of Management Sciences, Royal Roads University – Ras Al Khaimah Campus and BIG Education Group also took part.
“When I look at our graduates, only one word comes to mind: hope,” said Dr Rahim Somani, General Manager of AKS, during his graduation address. “These young people leave our schools not only with knowledge and skills, but with resilience, compassion and strength of character. They represent a generation that will help build more pluralistic, just and sustainable societies while improving the quality of life of the communities they will go on to serve. In a world facing increasing complexity and uncertainty, they remind us that the future can be shaped by courage, purpose and service.”
Close to 3,000 people attended the graduation ceremonies across AKS, with more than 32,000 tuning in online via The Ismaili TV and social media.
AKDN
During the celebrations, AKS signed Memorandums of Understanding with Royal Roads University – Ras Al Khaimah Campus, Toronto Metropolitan University and Murdoch University Dubai. These partnerships will expand higher education opportunities for AKS students while strengthening pathways for learning, leadership and collaboration. In addition to providing scholarships to select AKS students, the agreements will create opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, collaborative learning and engagement in teaching and research activities between AKS and the partner institutions.
Dr Rahim Somani, General Manager of AKS, and Dr Mohamed Bamatraf, Executive Director of Murdoch University Dubai, signing the Memorandum of Understanding.
AKDN
With more than 2,500 graduates each year, AKS continues to strengthen partnerships with universities and colleges around the world, creating new opportunities for students to pursue higher education. AKS has established partnerships with universities across Canada, India, the UAE and the US, including the recent renewal of its partnership with Huron University. An additional agreement is expected to be formalised with Seneca Polytechnic in the coming months.
These partnerships build on a record of AKS students going on to universities at home and abroad. The Class of 2026 leaves with more than $17 million in scholarship offers and admissions from leading universities, with more offers still arriving.