Samy Natho Jina: Using information technology to better the world
Samy Natho Jina is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Year 12 student at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. In addition to being an informed global citizen, Samy is a skilled and talented self-taught computer coder. Currently pursuing Information Technology in a Global Society at higher level as part of his IB Diploma, he strives to derive ways through which he can use information technology (IT) to create value in today’s society and tackle social and ethical issues. He says, “Building systems is not enough; for me, considering the impact on the stakeholder’s life is also a key factor.”
Samy’s passion for computers began on his sixth birthday when he received a “slow and old Acer laptop.” He says that because the laptop was too slow to play computer games, he used his time to explore the computer’s settings and discovered all the features that were being offered by Windows XP. As a result of his vivid curiosity and experimental nature, Samy unknowingly installed virus software which caused the computer to crash. Determined to fix his computer, Samy tried all the possible methods to restore it: he sought advice from many adults, attempted creative problem-solving techniques, and even visited a computer scientist to figure out what was happening.
Ultimately, Samy’s curiosity and determination led him to discover that this – dealing with computers and software – was what he wanted to do for a living in the future. Samy now aspires to develop his skills at university through studying software engineering and computer science.
Along with being a hardworking IB student, Samy is constantly working on new applications, coding new projects, and making apps for various companies. The first app he created was for his parents to help their pharmaceutical company handle online business management, archive files and track sales. He created another security software for a non-profit organisation for referencing and tracking individuals for an event. Samy also designed an advanced website for a TEDx event in Mombasa, Kenya where he added security and ticketing features. Samy comments, “As my understanding increases so does my passion.” An extremely driven individual, he also uses online platforms such as OpenClassrooms to learn coding languages like HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP5, jQuery and others, for which he has also gained many certificates. “With each new language I learn, I become more excited about that field,” Samy explains.
Samy believes that in five to 10 years, the whole world will depend more on information technology than it currently does today. He believes that there is a great future in developing modern technologies for medical applications, and wishes to be at the core of the technological development that will advance medical health applications. Samy believes in practical application along with theoretical learning and is working hard to bring about a positive change.
Samy is extremely grateful for the opportunities he has been granted to use his skills for the betterment of the local community with support from the encouraging environment at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. Samy says, “For each and every project, I have spent countless nights out of my own free will fixing incorrect lines of code. It is my dream to make sure this talent and passion I have for software development and computers can be used to make this world a better place.”
By Khushboo Shah
Bridging Global and Local
The Aga Khan Academies provide a globally relevant education, notably through the Aga Khan Curricular Strands (AK Strands), co-curricular offerings and student life. Students are exposed to global themes that emerge from the local context within which students live and learn.
The curriculum is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, and the overall Academies educational programme is aimed at developing students with strong leadership potential.
The AK Strands focus on globally applicable concepts such as pluralism and global economics. Students are also instructed in English and a local language in all Academies.
Academy students will be expected to spend time on another Academy campus during their secondary school years, thus providing them an immersion experience in a different culture.
The shared IB curriculum enables student and teacher exchanges between Academies.
"A great school, will educate its students not merely to be personally successful but also to use their gifts to build their communities and enhance the common good to levels beyond our dreams."
Why Choose the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Admission to the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad is based on merit. This is broadly defined as exceptional intellectual potential, leadership, a commitment to learning, strong sense of integrity, and the desire to work towards and instigate positive change.
As part of a network of Academies, we have been established to provide exceptional students from all backgrounds with an outstanding education.
We seek students representing a diverse range of economic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. We look for students who have the ability and motivation to excel academically and who demonstrate leadership in community service and other co-curricular pursuits.
We are more than just residential schools that strive to give their students a sound academic foundation. We emphasise the importance of academic excellence while instilling in students a sense of civic responsibility and the desire, ability and commitment to give back to their communities locally and globally.
"In my view, the most important thing a student can learn in any educational institution is the ability to keep on learning."
Our educational approach measures success not just by academic achievement, but by how students apply what they know to make the world a better place. The overall educational programme is designed to foster students’ curiosity while providing them with the skills and intellectual confidence to engage with what they do not know and find answers and solutions.
Alqaim Lalani: Graduating from the Academy to write a new chapter
For Alqaim Lalani, his recent graduation from the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa brings him one step closer to furthering his dream of attaining a deeper understanding of how economics and politics affect a society and the daily life of its inhabitants. Alqaim will attend New York’s Columbia University in the Fall as a prestigious Kluge Scholar, where he plans to major in these subjects.
“I have much appreciation for the interdisciplinary study of economics and politics. These two areas of knowledge really dictate the decisions made by leaders, whether that be on the global stage or an institutional platform,” he states.
Even at this young age, Alqaim has engaged in thoughtful and careful consideration of how economics can help leaders plan to avert an uncertain future in their countries.
“In the world we live in, where natural resources and commodities are increasingly scarce, coupled with a rising population growth, economics to me really seems like a subject that is instrumental in planning ahead for the turbulent times to come,” he states with confidence.
Alqaim says he was accepted in the Columbia Undergraduate Scholars Programme for “his intellectual pursuits, extracurricular achievements, and promise for future.” He says being in a residential programme at the Academy helped him follow a routine and helped him navigate his rigorous workload more effectively. He also relished being a “big brother” to the younger students in the dorm.
Extracurricular activities and public service undertakings are an integral part of the International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) curriculum at the Academies. As part of his public service requirement, Alqaim pioneered a cancer initiative called Tumaini La Maisha (Hope For Life). He started this in 2015 for children battling cancers at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. Under this initiative, Alqaim engaged young cancer patients and their parents in arts and crafts activities as part of a healing process and also to raise money for their medical treatment. This initiative is ongoing and has expanded to Kenya and Uganda. The parents and patients make bags and other crafts which are sold to the public.
“My personal involvement with the project is distributing the bags once they are made, marketing the products, making orders for the materials that are used in their production and raising awareness about the severity of pediatric cancer in East Africa.”
Another tenet that the Academy places immense importance on is pluralism. What is Alqaim’s takeaway from this?
“In the first year of the diploma programme at the Academy, I travelled to Rwanda with other history students to learn about the Rwandan Genocide. This is perhaps one of the most memorable experiences I had. At the Academy, we are taught about the importance of pluralism and understanding. Yet, when I went to Rwanda and saw the atrocities of the genocide, it reminded me that everyone does not share these values. It also reminded me how significant my Academy education was in allowing me to become an individual that recognizes the wrongful nature of fear-mongering, propaganda and hate speech that are so pervasive today.”
Alqaim holds dear the many lessons learned at the school. He says they have opened his eyes and transformed his old way of thinking.
“Theory of Knowledge taught me to ask the deeper questions, share my opinion fervently while appreciating and respecting views that may be diametrically opposed from my own. Governance and Civil Society provided a nurturing environment for community service projects such as monetary and marketing support.
Projecting an aura of congeniality, Alqaim says, “At the Academy, I have acquired a greater understanding on the importance of ethical leadership and an enduring commitment to whatever project I undertake.”
Related article: AKA Mombasa Student Builds Social Entrepreneurship Initiative
Muskaan Bhaidani (Class of 2020): Journey to university and the Academy's impact
Muskaan Bhaidani is an alumna of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa who was in the Class of 2020. Graduating with an impressive International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) score of 44 out of 45, Muskaan is now attending McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Read on to see what Muskaan says about university life and how her time at the Academy contributed to who she is today.
Can you please tell us about yourself, Muskaan?
I did the IB DP from 2018 to 2020 and took economics, geography and English at higher levels and mathematics, biology and French at standard levels. At the time, I took these subjects purely out of interest, and I really enjoyed what I did. However, I’ve always wanted to work in the development sector, so I think geography and economics played into that really well. I also did my extended essay in French since I wanted to improve in it, but now that I am studying in Quebec, it’s been really helpful.
How did you manage to narrow down your interests to zone in on a career path finally?
That’s such a big question to answer! Honestly, I still don’t think I know for sure what I want to do. I think that the path that I’ve chosen to take is just to keep going ahead with doing what I like, which right now is international development with a focus on food insecurity. In fact, I did my personal project at the Academy around food insecurity, and passion has definitely stuck with me over the years. I’ve also taken an interest in social entrepreneurship, which I could potentially see myself pursuing in the future. Right now, however, I’ll be going with the flow and figuring things out one step at a time.
How did you find the university application process? What did you find challenging, and how did you choose between all the universities you got into?
The university process is definitely difficult and scary because of the uncertainty it entails. I applied to the US, UK and Canada. I personally felt that applying to Canada was a much easier process since you don’t have to send in any standardised test scores or personal statements. Their supplementary requirements, if any, are very minimal compared to the UK and the US. And since a lot of Academies students end up coming here, it’s nice to know that you have an established system to fall back on if you need to. I think the main reason I got accepted to the universities I applied to was because of my academic performance and extracurricular activities that I took part in at the Academy which have carried me to university. As for how I decided on McGill in the end, it was mainly a lot of research and making pros and cons lists. I tried to compare universities in terms of the course I’ll be studying, what I want to do in the future, opportunities I would get while still studying, acceptance rate, etc., and McGill stood out to me in all these aspects. Montreal is a great city for students, and I am glad it worked out!
What have you done since you joined university that you are most passionate about?
I have been a part of multiple clubs. One, in particular, is IYAD (IRSAM Youth Advisory Delegation), a youth advisory delegation to the United Nations, where we write policies and present them at the UN Headquarters in New York every year, and it’s been something I’m really passionate about as I used to participate a lot in Model UN. I am now an executive in the club! I also took part in Enactus, a social entrepreneurship club where we mainly try to help local businesses thrive, and it has been a rewarding experience. Lastly, I am also a member of the varsity artistic swimming team – I used to do a lot of swimming at the Academy till COVID-19 happened, and this was the perfect way to get back into it in an artistic form I had never done before!
How has university life been? And how have you been preparing yourself for this upcoming exchange programme you are participating in?
Life at McGill differs a lot from person to person, but it mainly consists of class in the morning, followed by any extracurriculars you may have taken up. I also have a student job as a student advisor, so I have that in my routine as well, besides swimming and clubs. Going into your third or fourth year in university also means you have to cook for yourself and run your own household of sorts – this actually makes up a substantial portion of a student's schedule. I don't find it to be incredibly different from the high school experience, it’s just more diverse in terms of what you study within your specified subject. I will be going on an exchange to UCL in London next semester. Of course, I’m nervous, but I’m looking forward to immersing myself in a new culture since I’ll only be there for three months. I do consider Montreal home now that I’ve lived here for three years, and going away from home is daunting. I hope it feels as welcoming as Montreal. But from what I understand, London is very diverse, with lots of things to do, and I know I need to put myself out there and be open-minded.
How has the Academy helped shape you and prepare you for university?
The Academy has taught me how to put myself out there confidently by never limiting me and assuring me that I can do anything I set my heart to. It has a way of boosting your self-esteem and shows you your strengths and uniqueness. I engaged in a lot of communal activities and opportunities at the Academy, so I don’t find it difficult to do the same at university, whether that’s applying for a challenging course, position or an exchange programme.
How important do you think it is for students to reach out to Academies alumni?
I think it’s very important. We all leave school and make great friends at university, but the friends you make at the Academy are just different because it is so easy to spend time with them for hours and feel surrounded by a sense of community and warmth. In fact, my roommate now at McGill is a good friend of mine from the Academy. It is easier to reach out on an established Academies-centric network if and when you need help, especially because all of us who have been through the application process are always willing to help whenever we can. Having an alumni community only makes it more accessible and convenient to reach out.
Do you have any advice for students going through the university application process right now?
Work on your predicted grades, those are very important. Build good relationships with your teachers and they can direct you on how to constantly get better at your subjects. And, this might sound cliché, but be authentic in your applications. You never know what a university wants in its essays, and in a pool of incredibly smart and talented applicants, the only way to truly stand out is to be your unique self. So, focus on what you are interested in as opposed to what you think others might find interesting.
Interview conducted by DP2 student Samhitha Paruchuri from the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad.
Stephen Nyundo: Fostering students’ growth through Mathematics
Before we enter the 2019 – 2020 academic term, we would like to spotlight a few staff from AKA Mombasa who are going on to pursue new adventures in the upcoming academic year. Here, we take a look at Stephen Nyundo, a Mathematics teacher and head of the department, and his five years at the Academy.
Stephen Nyundo is from the Kenyan coast, specifically from a place called Kaloleni and was the head of department for the Mathematics department at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa. Apart from the Mathematics department, Stephen was also the year level leader for year 9.
During his five years at the Academy, Stephen said he has admired the supportive relationships he’s made, which have helped him become a better teacher.
“My experience has been enriching and very rewarding at the Academy,” Stephen said. “I have interacted with friendly and accomodating people who did not look at my weaker side. People would tell me things would be fine, even when they actually appeared otherwise. I was supported in my early years in my professional growth and got an opportunity to learn all that I needed to learn. I will miss the family, friendship, strong ties and network I’ve built here. I will definitely miss the Friday treats.”
Stephen said the ethics and values instilled at the Academy not only influenced the students, but himself as well.
“The Academy has molded me to what I now am,” Stephen said. “I will carry with me the Academy values that I am sure will propel me to greatness.”
For the Mathematics department, Stephen said he has worked with students to develop methods on helping other students who might struggle with the subject.
“A good example is 'Euler Fulfillers', a YouTube initiative by two of my Mathematics HL students who came to me with the idea,” Stephen said. “After brainstorming, we thought this was the best move where Academy students can share with their fellow students in the Academy what they know best and also help others out with challenges in Mathematics. The other platform is the ‘MathMagic’, which brought together students from all of the classes to showcase how Mathematics is applied in real-life in the various units covered. The next platform we had planned to start working on was the 'Mathletics', which is a modified form of a treasure hunt. This is where talent is found; students make use of what they have learnt in the classroom to various situations in real-life.”
After his time at the Academy, Stephen said he is ready to pursue other teaching opportunities. However, Catherine Orwe, a Mathematics teacher who works with Stephen, said he will be dearly missed at the Academy by both students and his colleagues.
“Stephen has not been just a colleague for us, but a true friend and a person with a big heart,” Catherine said. “He always made time for all even when he had tight schedules to meet. He is always very positive even when the rest of the crowd was struggling with issues. He always worked very collaboratively with colleagues to achieve our departmental goals. He pleaded with members’ input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise, and he was always willing to learn from all of us. Yes, we have learnt so much from him. He is an amazing Mathematics teacher, and I know his students here will miss him. Stephen is a person that pays attention to details in everything that you do and he is the one who would point out the changes that we needed to make in our presentations both at table and the curriculum implementation. We will definitely miss having a wonderful friend like Stephen. Good luck to him in his future endeavors! We hope the new place he goes to is full of fun and happiness.”
His Highness to Deliver Distinguished Lecture at Harvard
An Excerpt from a Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan
His Highness the Aga Khan Addresses Canadian Parliament
His Highness the Aga Khan is Awarded the Padma Vibhushan
