“As you contemplate the world you are entering, in what can be described as a challenging period in world history, please think about what this country expects of its leaders at a time of intense change,” said Ambassador Saidullah Khan Dehlavi, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Aga Khan University, addressing the audience at the 14 th Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) graduation ceremony held on October 25, 2008 at the University. Professor Mohammad Daud Khan, Vice President College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan and Vice Chancellor Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, was the Chief Guest. The event coincides with the 25 th Anniversary celebrations of the University.
Stressing on the importance of personal leadership, Dehlavi said that direction, humility, ethics, intellectual curiosity and compassion should be the ideals for progress in society. “The essence of leadership, whether in trying times or peaceful ones, is about anticipating and coping with change, in the service of people. In present day circumstances, the level of change is great, demanding even greater personal leadership.”
President Rasul spoke about the leadership roles that institutions such as Aga Khan University can play in discovering more innovative medical practices and initiating new types of partnerships that can highlight the role health care institutions in the developing world can play in improving global health. “Future medical advances cannot continue to be developed in another part of the world and imported. It is imperative that we have the means to participate in a global knowledge generation, so that relevant solutions to our most pressing problems can be generated within our own cultural and ethical framework,” said the President. He urged the graduating class to make a commitment not only to their country, but also to ‘life-long learning.’
Professor Khan reminded the graduating doctors about the responsibility of taking an oath – to practice strictly in accordance to the dictates of professional ethics and values, and work for the benefit of humanity. “
Sixty-five Interns, 46 Residents, 10 Fellows and five students of Clinical Scholars Programme were conferred certificates on the occasion. Dr Khadija Merchant, graduating Intern and Dr Ghina Shamsi graduating Resident made the valedictory speeches on behalf of the graduating cohort.