My Graduation Speech

Today I am honored to speak on behalf of my fellow graduates of 2007-2009 about the experiences that we shared under one roof and became long lasting friends.

Once, while sitting for a cup of tea during break, a person asked me “What is Curriculum?”

I replied “Curriculum is everything that happens in an educational setting with an intentional goal.” 

The person nodded and said “Have you ever seen a graduate of a specific institute… for example a cadet college?”

I nodded. And he continued “that person is the curriculum of that college. You can judge his background through his actions and behavior……and those actions or behavior will reflect the curriculum of that particular institute”. And I agreed.

Today wherever I go I see myself as the curriculum of Notre Dame. The curriculum which aimed at developing critical and reflective minds, bringing out the best potential, polishing capabilities, developing responsible and conscious citizens and above all cherishing humanity.

 It was at Notre Dame that I learnt that education does not only denote knowledge but also feelings and skills, which according to Bloom is the cognitive, the affective and the psychomotor domain. Somebody asked me why did I opt for NDIE and not any other institute. My immediate response was ‘BECAUSE I LOVE NDIE’ and this is the proof how my feeling for NDIE grew from just paying attention to, to something being my priority.

In the classrooms I enhanced my abilities through presentations, arguments, discussions, searching books/journal, using the library, questioning, sharing, experiencing, imagining my context, critically reflecting and at times feeling helplessness while discussing about the educational challenges my country faces.

 Today I take away with me many of the cherished learning moments. I will never forget

Fatima Hashim’s types of research, and the normality curve;

Barry’s educational changes and its effect on individual and society as well as curriculum Studies’ scope and sequence;

Margaret’s sending us outside the campus to count the cars and motor bikes on the road outside in order to introduce the novice researchers to observation techniques;

Naseem Mughal’s educational psychology theories and her statement “human mind is amazing”;

Dr. Khalid Rawat’s Plato and the imaginary world

and how can I forget the devolution plan of educational administration by Martin.

 The memories of celebration all year round, now at workplace helps me understand about how important it is to develop a conductive environment. All these events created in me affection for other human beings, strengthened in me the respect for other religion, helped me in understanding divers culture and above all respect humanity. The professional attitude that I got from NDIE was not only through studying but also by observing the role models as the NDIE faculty.

 To my juniors, based on my experience I would say that though it seems challenging and difficult but when you will go back to your schools you will realize that joining NDIE was one of the best decision of your life….. and believe you me, for me it is. I wish you all the best for taking a greater responsibility of becoming change agents.                                

Thank you so much