The Aga Khan School, Dhaka celebrates its 35th anniversary
The Aga Khan School, Dhaka, celebrated its 35th anniversary with a two-day festive event from 23-24 February, with day one celebrated at the school and day two at the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka.
The event was attended by over 300 individuals, which included alumni, former and current staff and faculty, and current students. Opening remarks were given by the Aga Khan Education Service, Bangladesh Chairman Mr Amyn Saleh, to kick off the event, followed by moving addresses by the Aga Khan Schools Alumni Relations Coordinator, Ms Tara Menon and alums who organised the event.
Mr Amyn said, "As we all know, a great institution is not built in a few years, decades or even a lifetime. The institution's future lies in the hands of its leaders, faculty, and staff, and no less on the excellence of its students and alumni. You have all played an integral part in building this great institution's long and rich legacy as it moves ahead in its next development stage."
AKS, Dhaka, was founded in 1988 and has provided high-quality education. In addition to this, the school has a strong alumni network, with some making great strides in their professional careers, such as Nabanita Nawar, who was featured in this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Toronto list.
Throughout the two-day event, the attendees walked down memory lane as they met old friends and teachers who were once part and parcel of their school life and participated in exciting activities. For example, one of the activities on day one included a football tournament on the school's green field. The alumni had a chance to return to their glorious school days of playing on this field with their peers and showcasing their sportsmanship.
On the second day, they included more activities and opportunities for alumni to reminisce about their former school days. The alumni perceived day two as a transformative journey from the school to the Academy.
"When I saw the vast greenery of the open field [at the Academy], I thought of the essay I wrote on my dream school [when I was a student]," said an alumnus during the opening speech. "The Academy looks exactly like the school I dreamt of in childhood. I can't express enough how glad I am to be here."
As the alumni spent the whole morning in a sports tournament, captivating stage performances by alumni and the reputed Bangladeshi band Nemesis awaited them in the afternoon.
"I felt wonderful seeing former students returning to their childhood campus," said the Senior School Principal of the Academy Ms Fahmida Chowdhury. "I was proud and nostalgic. Many of them learnt their first letters in this school and became highly successful in their careers. This event was a marvellous reflection of teachers' crucial roles in making a nation."
An awards ceremony also occurred at the end of day two to recognise the winners of the sports tournament, followed by an exciting raffle draw. Additionally, both days included stalls selling food and local artisans selling their crafts to the participants to make the event more enjoyable.
The wholesome anniversary event was met with immense joy by the attendees, who look forward to seeing the Academy grow and carry forward the legacy of AKS, Dhaka.
"I felt uniquely wholesome in these two days," said Ms Anika Azam, an alumnus. "The Academy has already taken a place in my heart, and I perceive this a dream-like transformation from the school to the Academy. Our expectation has grown likewise seeing the venerable infrastructures of the Academy."
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