The Aga Khan Schools in Kenya


Aga Khan High School, Mombasa students to attend SUSTAINERGY competition


06 March 2023

Two students from the Aga Khan High School (AKHS), Mombasa were selected to attend the SUSTAINERGY: Clean Energy Hackathon for Excelling Youth in Science competition in Israel.

This competition, which will take place from 9-14 March, strives to support and encourage Grades 11-12 students with remarkable achievements in the sciences with opportunities on how to develop their future career goals. Fifty students from around the world are selected to compete in the event, which also consists of workshops, lectures and social activities, with a focus on renewable energy. At the end of the event, the students present their original idea or their version of an existing enterprise or model, which is judged by a panel of entrepreneurs, professionals, academics and representatives of commercial companies.  

Form 4 students Alishma Hanif Abdulla and Krina Naresh Parmar from AKHS, Mombasa were chosen to participate in the event after an essay-writing competition between AKHS, Mombasa and the Aga Khan High School, Nairobi. The students were expected to prepare a 500-word essay to “Criticise and evaluate why hydrogen is essential as a future clean energy source”. The panel of judges included Head of Academic Programmes for the Aga Khan Schools Atifa Sayani, Regional Head of Academics for the Aga Khan Education Service, Kenya Maryam Adoo, two teachers from AKHS, Mombasa, and Head Teachers Moses Ngige and Mary Stella Chitechi. 

The students displayed excellent knowledge of physics, good research skills, analysis/synthesis of information, critical thinking and admirable communication skills during the virtual interview that took place after their essay-writing competition. 

“This inaugural trip serves as an excellent exposure and exciting experience for our girls and places our school in a good place within Africa,” said Head Teacher Mary Stella Chitechi. “We are honoured our girls are participating and obtaining knowledge in a different country with other learners.” 

Photo:
  • Form 4 students Alishma Hanif Abdulla and Krina Naresh Parmar with AKHS, Mombasa and AKS staff