Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

Our Chief Guest Mr Peter Kalmus, Climate Scientist, University of California, Los Angeles;
Our Guest of Honour Dr Peter Mathuki, Secretary General of the East African Community;
Chairman Zakir Mahmood and members of the AKU Board of Trustees;
Chairman Moyez Alibhai and members of the AKU Kenya University Council;
President and Vice Chancellor Sulaiman Shahabuddin;
Provosts, deans, faculty, and staff;
Generous donors and friends of AKU around the world;
Parents and family members;
Distinguished guests;
And most importantly, our graduands:

President Vest, Members of the Corporation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, distinguished members of the Faculty, Mayor Reeves, happy graduates, even happier parents, and others gathered here today:

I am pleased and honoured to be with you this morning.

MIT has shown a standard of excellence in education and research that sets a benchmark for universities everywhere. You who have been at the Institute for years may be excused if you take this in stride, but for me, coming here for the first time in several years, the energy of the place is palpable.

Distinguished guests,

Thanks you Mr. McDonald for your very kind words, and for protecting me from eggs and tomatoes for having studied at Le Rosey.

Let me say what an honour and pleasure it is to share this important day with this graduating class, with your faculty, your parents, your alumni. I congratulate you most warmly for all your successes, not only in your academic endeavours but also in the many fields where you have demonstrated exceptional talent. In music and art, in drama and sports, and in so many other areas of endeavour.

Distinguished guests,

Thanks you Mr. McDonald for your very kind words, and for protecting me from eggs and tomatoes for having studied at Le Rose.

Let me say what an honour and pleasure it is to share this important day with this graduating class, with your faculty, your parents, your alumni. I congratulate you most warmly for all your successes, not only in your academic endeavours but also in the many fields where you have demonstrated exceptional talent. In music and art, in drama and sports, and in so many other areas of endeavour.

May 15, 2006 New York, U.S.A.: SIPA - : H. H. The Aga Khan delivering the graduation address at the School of International and Public Affairs Columbia University.(SIPA)