AKU-EB Celebrates 2026 High Achievers, Recognises 124 National and Regional Students
AKU-EB High Achievers 2026 ceremony celebrates student excellence and educational opportunities across Pakistan.
The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) celebrated its High Achievers of 2026 at a ceremony themed The Light Within. The event recognised students whose academic achievements reflect dedication, potential and ambition.
The ceremony also marked an important milestone on the Board’s journey towards its Silver Jubilee in 2027. AKU-EB will celebrate 25 years of advancing educational quality, improving assessment practices and expanding access to higher education across Pakistan.
More than 26,000 students appeared in AKU-EB examinations in 2026. The Board recognised 124 national and regional high achievers, including two national position holders at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) levels. More than 450 additional students earned recognition for outstanding performance in individual subjects.
Education Leaders Celebrate Student Excellence
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).
SBP Governor Highlights Pakistan’s Economic Resilience in Meetings with Global Investors
Donors, educators, parents and students also attended the ceremony.
Professor Dr Huma Baqai congratulated the high achievers and highlighted the importance of skills beyond academic performance. She said the students had developed the abilities needed to pursue future opportunities and overcome challenges.
Student Highlights Education Opportunities in Interior Sindh
Hafsa Bugti, the national high achiever at HSSC level from IBA Community College, Khairpur, spoke about the potential of students in interior Sindh.
“There are brilliant minds across interior Sindh whose potential is immense,” she said.
Bugti stressed that access to quality schools and reliable examination systems could unlock young people’s potential. She said these opportunities could strengthen merit-based pathways and help students compete confidently at the international level.
University Admissions and Scholarships Expand Opportunities
AKU-EB’s annual University Destination Survey highlights the progress of its graduates. According to the survey, 90 per cent of HSSC graduates gain admission to universities.
Graduates have also progressed to more than 200 international universities. Around half attend leading higher education institutions in Pakistan.
In 2026, AKU-EB awarded 540 merit- and need-based scholarships across the country. These scholarships help students access quality education and pursue their academic goals.
IBCC Chief Emphasises Quality Assessment
Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah praised AKU-EB’s contribution to education and its focus on credible, quality-driven assessment.
He said examinations can improve education by influencing how teachers teach and students learn. He also emphasised that an examination board’s strength depends on the quality and educational value of its assessments, not simply the number of candidates it examines.
Mallah highlighted the importance of conceptual understanding, critical thinking and practical application over rote memorisation. He said AKU-EB’s approach offers useful lessons for Pakistan’s wider education system.
AKU-EB Advances Learning Beyond Memorisation
Aga Khan University established AKU-EB in 2002 to promote conceptual understanding, critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge.
The Board’s assessment approach encourages students to move beyond memorising information. It aims to prepare them for higher education and help them apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Dr Naveed Yousuf said the achievements of students across Pakistan reinforced the Board’s responsibility to improve access to quality education and prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to society.
He added that student success reflects what purposeful learning and sustained support can achieve.
As AKU-EB approaches its Silver Jubilee, the Board continues to highlight the role of effective assessment in improving teaching, deepening learning and expanding educational opportunities for students across Pakistan.
