Roots of Hope High Achievers Ceremony travels to Chitral to celebrate Academic Excellence
Chitral Times Report
CHITRAL: The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) continued its journey of celebrating educational excellence with the Roots of Hope High Achievers Ceremony, held today at the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School (AKHSS) in Kuragh, Chitral. This celebration, which previously brought together bright young minds in Gilgit-Baltistan and Karachi, has now traveled to Chitral, honoring 93 outstanding students, including recipients of the AKU-EB Bridge Scholarship, along with their proud parents, educators, and community leaders.
Dr. Naveed Yousuf, CEO of AKU-EB, warmly welcomed educational leaders, principals, teachers, students, and their families to the event. He endorsed AKU-EB’s longstanding partnership with the Aga Khan Education Service and AKU-EB commitment to high quality education and assessment, stating:
“AKU-EB is guided by the values of IQRA—Impact, Quality, Relevance, and Access. We
are dedicated to strengthening Pakistan’s education system through partnerships with schools and communities, bringing international best practices in education that will shape the leaders of tomorrow.”
The Chief Guest, Dr. Riaz Hussain, Assistant Professor and Head of AKU PDCN, expressed his profound gratitude to AKU-EB, saying:
“AKU-EB has introduced an examination and assessment system that has transformed schools, teachers, teaching methodologies, and entire educational systems across the country. This transformation has, in turn, revolutionized student learning. The Board has prepared these students to compete and excel, whether in national or international higher education institutions.”
The celebration also highlighted the impressive achievements of AKU-EB graduates, many of whom have secured admissions to prestigious universities across Pakistan. Annually, over 90% of AKU-EB graduates gain admission to various national and international higher education institutions, with nearly 50% accepted into top national universities. This accomplishment reflects AKU-EB’s commitment to opening pathways to higher education and professional success for its students.
Mr. Khush Muhammad Khan, Principal of AKHSS, Kuragh, also addressed the gathering, endorsing the strong bonds between AKES, AKU-EB, and its affiliated schools:
“AKU-EB is a blessing for this country. The academic support provided to the students and faculty of its affiliated schools, along with the fair conduct of examinations, sets it apart. This is evident in the admissions of our students to higher education institutions, both globally and nationally.”
The highlight of the ceremony was an address by Aila Asad from AKHSS, Kuragh, who shared: “AKU-EB’s assessment system has not only tested our knowledge but also prepared us to thrive in an ever-changing world. I will be joining medical school this year, and my
aspiration is to serve communities in need, to heal, and to give back in a way that truly makes a difference. I am ready and committed.”
Another inspiring address was delivered by Fadad Ali from AKHSS, Seenlasht. Reflecting on his academic journey, he expressed gratitude to AKU-EB and his teachers for preparing him to excel in a rapidly evolving world: “I have chosen to pursue computer science at NUST and am waiting for the final decision from the University of Toronto, Canada. The world we live in is increasingly shaped by information technology, artificial intelligence, and data science. There has never been a greater demand for individuals who can innovate in this space. I am passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems, and I see immense
opportunities to contribute to areas like AI, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.”
