Aga Khan Academy Maputo celebrates Class of 2026
Representing nationalities spanning Africa, Europe and Asia, the graduating class gathered with family, staff and guests for a ceremony on campus that honoured not only their academic achievement, but the creativity, resilience and innovation they have cultivated throughout their time at the Academy. The ceremony was also live streamed to extended family members, friends, the wider school community and alumni of the Aga Khan Schools (AKS), reaching nearly 3,000 viewers across the country and internationally.
Before the graduation ceremony, a special pinning ceremony was held for the graduating class with their teachers and mentors. As part of a tradition, the graduates were awarded a pin signifying the completion of their time at the Academy as they join a growing legacy of alumni across AKS around the world.
The ceremony was opened by Ms Annia Dear, Acting Head of Academy, who welcomed graduates, families and guests before reflecting on the journey the Class of 2026 had undertaken.
“Throughout your educational journey, you have developed far more than academic skills,” Ms Dear said. “You have learnt perseverance, empathy, leadership and the confidence to shape the future ahead of you with hope and determination; you have defined your path with clarity and intention. As you move forward, I encourage you to stay true to your purpose – your personal legend.”
The keynote address this year was delivered by Dr Mohamed Bamatraf, Executive Director of Murdoch University Dubai, who also attended the Aga Khan Academy, Nairobi’s graduation ceremony in Kenya, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AKS to expand international higher education opportunities and collaborative learning pathways for students across AKS. Dr Bamatraf’s remarks drew on his own experience at the intersection of education, leadership and global opportunity.
“When you leave this hall, do not stop asking questions,” Dr Bamatraf said. “Read books you will never normally read. Talk to the people who are very different from you. You do not become wise by knowing more, you become wise by understanding more.”
Dr Rahim Somani, General Manager of AKS, delivered a virtual address for the ceremony. He reflected on the significance of celebrating the IB Diploma Programme graduations across the AKS network this year.
“When I look at our graduates, one word comes to mind: hope,” he said. “These young people leave our schools not only with knowledge and skills, but with resilience, compassion and strength of character. They represent a generation that will help build more pluralistic, just, and sustainable societies while improving the quality of life of the communities they will go on to serve.”
The celebrations came just a day after a significant milestone for the wider AKS community. On 22 May 2026, AKS and Royal Roads University – Ras Al Khaimah Campus signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Academy, formalising a partnership that will create scholarship opportunities for a select number of AKS students, as well as pathways for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration in teaching and research.
The Class of 2026 leaves the Academy with admissions offers to some of the world's leading universities. Among the institutions to which graduates have been admitted are Murdoch University Dubai, the University of Toronto, the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, the University of British Columbia and Monash University in Melbourne, among many others – a testament to the breadth of their ambitions and the strength of their preparation.
Over the course of two years, the cohort has engaged with one of the world's most demanding pre-university curricula, one that requires not only academic rigour but genuine intellectual curiosity, ethical reflection and a commitment to community. Throughout their time at the Academy, they led initiatives, served their communities and challenged themselves both inside and outside the classroom – embodying the spirit of principled, pluralistic leadership that lies at the heart of the Aga Khan Academies Learner Profile.
The Aga Khan Academy Maputo extends its warmest congratulations to the Class of 2026, and its deepest gratitude to the families and staff who have supported these young people every step of the way. The full graduation ceremony is available to watch online via YouTube here.
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