AKU-EB Celebrates HighAchievers2026: Where Excellence Inspires Purpose, Balance-Possibility
Karachi – 18 October 2026 (MT Team) : The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) celebrated its High Achievers of 2026 under the theme The Light Within, recognising students whose academic accomplishments reflect their dedication, potential and aspirations for the future. The ceremony marks an important milestone in AKU-EB’s journey towards its Silver Jubilee in 2027, when it will celebrate 25 years of advancing educational quality, strengthening assessment practices and expanding pathways to higher education for students across Pakistan.
In 2026, more than 26,000 students appeared in AKU-EB examinations. Among them, the Board recognised 124 national and regional high achievers, including two national position holders, one each at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) levels.
A further 450-plus students received recognition for outstanding performance in individual subjects across Pakistan.
At the event, Dr Naveed Yousuf, CEO of AKU-EB, welcomed Chief Guest Professor Dr Huma Baqai, Rector of the Millennium Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship (MiTE), and Guest of Honour Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah, CEO of the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), alongside donors, educators, parents and students.
These students deserve to be celebrated not only for their academic achievements, but also for the skills they have developed to succeed beyond school,” said Professor Dr Huma Baqai on recognising high achievers. “I am confident that these young achievers are well equipped to take this next step and embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
“There are brilliant minds across interior Sindh whose potential is immense,” said Hafsa Bugti, National High Achiever at the HSSC level from IBA Community College, Kairpur, reflecting on her educational journey.
“Greater access to quality schools and strong examination systems that uphold high standards of assessment could unlock that potential, expand merit-based opportunities and empower young people to compete confidently on the international stage.”
The impact of AKU-EB’s approach is reflected in its annual University Destination Survey, which indicates that 90 per cent of its HSSC graduates gain admission to universities. Its graduates have progressed to more than 200 international universities, while approximately half attend leading higher education institutions in Pakistan. In 2026 alone, the Board awarded 540 merit- and need-based scholarships across Pakistan, helping students access quality education and pursue their academic aspirations.
“AKU-EB stands among the credible examination boards in Pakistan and beyond, demonstrating a strong commitment to quality-driven assessment,” noted Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah on AKU-EB’s contribution to education in Pakistan. “ He further noted that “AKU-EB demonstrates how assessment can become a powerful driver of educational improvement. What examinations reward shapes how teachers teach and how students learn. The real strength of an examination board lies not in the number of candidates it examines, but in the quality, credibility and educational value of its assessment. By prioritising conceptual understanding, critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge over rote memorisation, AKU-EB offers valuable lessons for Pakistan’s wider education system.”
Established by Aga Khan University in 2002, AKU-EB promotes conceptual understanding, critical thinking and the application of knowledge. Its approach aims to move learning beyond rote memorisation, preparing students for higher education and enabling them to apply what they learn to real-world challenges. Through its assessment practices and wider educational initiatives, the Board continues to demonstrate how examinations can support better teaching, deeper learning and stronger educational outcomes.
“As we celebrate our students across Pakistan, we are reminded of our responsibility to continue strengthening access to quality education and to prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society,” said Dr Naveed Yousuf. “Their achievements are a source of pride, but also a reminder of what becomes possible when learning is purposeful and potential is nurtured.”
