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Syeda Sayema Mayesha – tackling global issues through film

Watch Sayema's film "One Sky, Two Souls" below.

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Sayema, currently in grade 11, directed and produced an impactful short film to create awareness on child rights for her IB MYP Personal Project towards the end of her IB Middle Years Programme journey. The film was screened in February 2017 at the Academy’s annual ‘innovation expo’.

What caused her to pursue this particular project? “I was inspired to make this film as I have often observed how privileged children do not appreciate what they have, whereas the ones who suffer continue to do so as they are neglected,” Sayema explains. “As a student of the Academy, where children are given the opportunity of holistic education regardless of their financial background, I could not have worked on a better project.”

Sayema is from Bangladesh and studied at the Aga Khan School in Dhaka before joining the Hyderabad Academy in 2014. Her favourite subject is I&S (Individuals and Societies), particularly Economics, because she loves how it engages students and sharpens their perception about the real world. “15 years from now, I see myself completing my higher studies in International Relations and working as a Public Relations Executive. The Academy has influenced this career choice as it has broadened my knowledge and perspective about the world making me enthusiastic to be a leader and play a part in constructive change.”

Soccer is a passion for Sayema, and she has been part of the Academy Senior School girls’ soccer team from the beginning. “It has been a splendid experience for me to play home ground tournaments as well as outside tournaments and win the first ever trophy for the team in Kerala.” Another momentous occasion for her was when she won the ‘Best Delegate Award’ at her first ever Academy Model United Nations in 2015. She is now a passionate MUN participant.

Her knowledge of global issues and her desire to contribute to social change is evident through the film that she made, discussing child rights through the angle of education and labour. “Ensuring child rights today will ensure a brighter future for all tomorrow. The entire process has taught me many aspects of filmmaking. It has taught me to become a leader while working with a team. I have learnt how to deliver stories to the world through my own lens.”

Watch Sayema's film:

Introduction to the Aga Khan Academies

In 2000, His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV initiated the establishment of the Aga Khan Academies, an integrated network of schools located in countries across East Africa and South Asia.

The aim of the Academies is to develop future leaders with the skills and knowledge to support positive development in their societies. The Academies achieve this by recruiting exceptional young people from all backgrounds and providing them with the highest international standard of education.

Admission is based upon merit, with financial aid available to ensure access for accepted students regardless of financial circumstances.

Global network

The first Aga Khan Academy opened in Mombasa, Kenya in 2003, the second in Hyderabad, India in 2011, the third in Maputo, Mozambique in 2013 and the fourth in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2022.

Rigorous academic programme

The academic programme offered by the Academies has been developed according to the principles of the widely-recognised International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB provides a challenging academic environment for students and allows their achievement to be measured against international standards.

In addition to providing a rigorous academic and leadership experience, the Academies help students develop an ethical and public-minded outlook through community service opportunities and education on ethics and pluralism.

“An education must equip students with the tools that enable them to adapt and thrive in a world characterised by change.”Prince Karim Aga Khan IV (from the Foreword to Excellence in Education,
Aga Khan Academies, 2003)They also recognise that to become effective leaders, students must be both globally minded and locally rooted. Global as well as local perspectives are reflected in the curriculum, and students study in both English and the local language.

Purpose-built residential campuses

Each Aga Khan Academy campus is architect-designed and purpose-built. They feature state-of-the-art classrooms and resource areas and extensive sports facilities.

The residences provide secure and well-supervised accommodation for local and international students as well as those visiting from another Academy. Additionally, both students and teachers participate in visits and exchanges between Academies to broaden their experience and practical understanding of pluralism.

Professional development

Promoting excellence in teaching, both on campus and more broadly, is a major goal of the Academies. Each Academy is established as a Professional Development Centre (PDC). The PDC aims to strengthen the profession of teaching in the region by providing substantial professional learning opportunities and modelling highly effective educational practices.