The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa Class of 2021 celebrates impressive IB results
In a year filled with unprecedented challenges, the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa’s Class of 2021 succeeded nevertheless, achieving excellent results in their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) studies this year. Along with their impressive results, the Class of 2021 have been offered over USD $5 million in university scholarships.
The cohort of 71 students achieved an average score of 34.9, well above this year’s global average score of 33.0. These results represent a remarkable achievement for the students considering the impact upon their DP journey by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2021 completed their DP coursework through a mixture of online learning (commencing in March 2020), with in-person learning resuming in January 2021. Throughout the period, students were provided with support and encouragement from their teachers, support staff and school leadership.
Nine students from the graduating cohort were also awarded bilingual diplomas, following successful completion of two DP Language and Literature courses. Students studied Swahili, French and Russian Literature alongside their studies in English.
Cinzia Torriani, a top-scoring student from within the cohort, was one such student in receipt of a bilingual diploma. She said the Academy has supported her growth in all aspects of her life and that she will carry forward the ethos of the Academy as she will pursue a degree in International Hospitality and Business Management from Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland.
"Over my past six years at the Academy, I have watched myself grow tremendously,” Cinzia said. “The principles and values instilled in us as students taught us to recognise our privilege, see the power in altruism, and look at challenges as new experiences to learn from and grow. The Academy helped us nurture our characters, propelled us to stand up for what we believe in, supported our desires to do more for our communities, and encouraged our development as we become the leaders of tomorrow. I feel honoured and grateful for all of the support I received from my teachers and fellow students, and while I look forward to this new chapter in my life, the Academy will forever hold a special place in my heart."
This year, five student beneficiaries of the Academy’s Talent Identification (Talent ID) Programme have been awarded full university scholarships, totalling an impressive USD $1.3 million. The Talent ID Programme is developed in line with the Academy’s vision to provide exceptional students with an international-standard education and leadership opportunities, regardless of their ability to pay. Omar Mwakuluzo Kassim, a beneficiary of the Talent ID Programme, will attend New York University Abu Dhabi to study Social Research and Public Policy. He said his time at the Academy broadened his mindset on what it means to be a leader in his community.
“The Academy has nurtured me into a young leader with a deep and open mind. In my years at the Academy, I have understood the importance of serving my community as I believe that the more you give, the more blessings you receive. Most importantly, I learned that with the right mindset and commitment, anything is achievable.”
Head of Academy Alison Hampshire said this cohort’s exceptional results were evidence of their dedication to their academic progress and commitment to hard work during a period filled with unexpected challenges.
“The Diploma journey that this cohort has been on has been unlike any that has gone before. The determination and resilience they have shown getting to the end is in itself to be celebrated, but to also achieve such amazing results is truly remarkable and we are very proud of every student's achievement.”
Throughout their time at the school, the Class of 2021 have exhibited the Academy’s ethos in becoming home-grown, ethical leaders, whilst also upholding the aims of the IB programme to develop critical thinkers and inquirers who are courageous, principled and open-minded. This can be seen with the graduates receiving admissions offers to numerous prestigious universities including the University of California Berkeley, King’s College London, New York University Abu Dhabi, the University of British Columbia and more.
These accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work, dedication and support of the Class of 2021’s teaching staff, who have accompanied these students each step of the way during this difficult year.
On behalf of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, we would like to offer our congratulations to every student within the Class of 2021 for their impressive accomplishments and wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavours.
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