AKU-EB High Achievers Awards Ceremony 2026 - Gilgit

AKU-EB Celebrates High Achievers in Gilgit-Baltistan, Inspiring Students to Find “The Light Within”

Gilgit, 28 October 2026: The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) celebrated its High Achievers from Gilgit-Baltistan on 28 October under the theme “The Light Within”, recognising students whose academic achievements reflect their dedication, perseverance and potential to contribute meaningfully to society.

The ceremony brought together education leaders, educators, parents and students to celebrate excellence and reflect on the importance of purpose, character and lifelong learning in shaping the next generation.

The Chief Guest, Professor Dr Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, highlighted the fundamental role teachers play in the life of each student, guiding, directing and shaping their futures. Addressing the high achievers, he commended the quality of AKU-EB graduates entering higher education at IBA Karachi.

“The AKU-EB students who come to IBA, Karachi are the best students we receive. I want to encourage you to look for every single opportunity. The opportunities for you as high achievers are exceptional, and you will go very far in the world,” he said.

Emphasising the national significance of their achievements, he added, “Students who study through AKU-EB and emerge as high achievers are not simply among the top performers within AKU-EB; they rank among the top one per cent of students in Pakistan.”

The Guest of Honour, Aniqa Bano, educator and social entrepreneur, congratulated the students and underscored their responsibility in shaping Pakistan’s future. “You are our national foundation and hope. 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, encouraging the students to recognise their potential to make a lasting difference.

Sharing her reflections, high achiever Ayesha Ahmed Shehzad, who aspires to pursue medicine, spoke about looking beyond academic results to recognise the values that define a person.

“My education has also taught me an important lesson: you are more than your grades. 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.

In his address, Dr Naveed Yousuf, Chief Executive Officer of AKU-EB, thanked the guests, donors, parents and students for their continued support and commitment to education. He encouraged the students to prepare for a rapidly changing world while remaining guided by sound judgement and a clear sense of purpose.

“You are growing up at a time of extraordinary change. Artificial intelligence is transforming how we learn and work, knowledge is expanding rapidly, and new professions will emerge as others evolve. Meanwhile, challenges such as climate change, inequality and technological disruption will demand fresh perspectives and thoughtful solutions,” he said.

He emphasised that success in this evolving landscape would require more than knowledge alone. “In this changing world, knowledge must be accompanied by sound judgement, adaptability and creativity. You will need the curiosity to keep learning, the courage to navigate difficult choices, and the empathy to understand perspectives beyond your own. Just as importantly, you must learn to distinguish between what is possible and what is right. Above all, you will need a sense of purpose.”

The theme “The Light Within” invited students to look beyond distinctions and academic milestones, recognising the values, convictions and aspirations that guide their choices. It reinforced the importance of combining academic excellence with compassion, integrity and a commitment to serving others.

Through its High Achievers ceremonies, AKU-EB celebrates student achievement while encouraging young people to recognise their potential, pursue opportunities and use their education to make a positive contribution to their communities and beyond.