Aga Khan graduates urged to change society
Mr Firoz Rasul (R), the President of Aga Khan University, congratulates graduates during the university’s convocation ceremony at Kampala Serena Conference Centre yesterday. A total of 78 students graduated with Diplomas in General Nursing, Bachelors of Science in Nursing degrees and Masters of Education. PHOTO BY RACHEAL AJWANG.
Kampala- Health and education graduates from the Aga Khan University have been told to transform their societies by applying the skills acquired form the institution.
Speaking at the 2016 convocation of the Aga Khan University (AKU) yesterday at Kampala Serena Conference Centre in Kampala, the chairman Board of Trustees of the university, Mr Firoz Rasul, said the graduates have acquired the necessary skills to uplift their societies by providing exemplary leadership.
Mr Rasul told the graduates that it will be a challenge for them to galvanise others to join them in trying to look for solutions to problems faced in leadership.
“I have every confidence in you because the education you have received here in the Aga Khan University has prepared you for leadership. I am confident because of your predecessors, there are many distinguished AKU alumni and have taken it upon themselves to bring new modes of code and action to the places that need them most and to create new knowledge and strategies for overcoming formidable obstacles ,” said Mr Rasul.
Mr Rasul asked government to recognise the contribution of the civil society to the country such as the Aga Khan Foundation.
“Rather than being discouraged, it (civil society) should be embraced as an essential contributor to the public good. It should be seen as the guarantor of good governance. We should see its diversity and peaceful disagreements as a sign of strength and maturity,” he added.
Mr Rasul also noted that the Aga Khan Foundation will improve the professionalism of health practice in the country with the construction of the new teaching hospital, whose plan is already underway.
Dr Benedict Mtasiwa, the chief principal for Exchange Programmes, Links and Partnerships, Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) presided over the convocation.
He challenged Ugandan universities graduates to turn the health problems in the country into opportunities.
Opportunity in challenges
“There are no shortage of challenges in the field of healthcare but knowledge is poor, it allows us to transform the challenges into opportunities, it enables us to see that when a health of a community is poor, that is a chance for us to take what we have learnt and lift that community up,” said Mr Mtasiwa.
Dr Mtasiwa also urged East African universities to seize opportunities for dialogue and cooperation across the region to enable a more integrated East African Community, where students can pursue degrees and educational opportunities.
A total of 78 students graduated in General Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Masters of Education. Dr Mtasiwa applauded Aga Khan University as a premier supporter of the Inter-University Council for East Africa.
“Indeed, AKU is one of the quality leaders in East African higher education and just as clearly, if one were to look to any university for advice on working across national borders in East Africa, AKU would be very high on the list.”
