One hundred years!
Whether celebrated by an individual or an institution, this milestone is a testament to the ability to survive, adapt, and grow. We are proud to have reached this year with so many accomplishments to celebrate and so many people in our extended family.
We are indebted to the women of Kinnaird’s early years, who ventured into a realm previously closed to them. We salute the many alumni, who have followed those women and who have given excellent service to their profession and their communities. We are grateful to the outstanding faculty members who have provided dedicated and distinguished instruction over the years. And we recognize that we could not have accomplished all that we have, without the underlying infrastructure and hard work of our administrative and support staff.
On behalf of the present Kinnaird family I pay homage to those who established the school, to those who made physical, intellectual, personal, material and spiritual contribution to the college, and everyone who played their role in forming the shape that Kinnaird was molded into.
Today we reflect on a century of education and achievement, to honor our founders whose vision and hard work resulted in the extraordinary college we have today, and to speak of our vision and ambitions for the future.
When we look around at Kinnaird of today, it is very different from that of a 100 years ago, or 50 years ago or even 10 years ago. We are larger; we are more diverse, we are more technological, we are more engaged with the outside world, and we are more committed than ever to contributing to our world through research and service.
Even though the student body has expanded from 6 to almost 4500 in numbers, we have remained true to our commitment to provide education to the young women of our country and have attracted an extraordinary and diverse population along every dimension.
Looking ahead to the next century, we realize that as higher education becomes more competitive and faces ever more daunting challenges, we must now lead with confidence in our own values as they have evolved over a century and our own identity. Our strength as a college lies in part in choosing a different path from others and a different configuration for the college not just of today, but of tomorrow.
The basic concept of an educational institution is a defined space that brings teachers and students into physical proximity, but we must also embark upon remodeling of education in ways that are driven by new technologies of learning and the renewal of minds for the benefit of all concerned. But we must, at the same time, continue to keep our commitment to the personal relationship between teachers and students.
As we enter our second century and face the opportunities ahead, we must be bold; we must be creative; we must be collaborative; we must be fast; we must be international yet distinctively Pakistani; we must endeavor to be the great research university that preserved its dedication to its students; we must be Kinnaird.”
Kinnaird’s ability to generate another hundred years of productive, well-rounded graduates will depend crucially on how well it adapts to the circumstances of the 21st Century. I guess that when the history of Kinnaird’s next century is written, what is happening in today’s world and how Kinnaird responds to it, will be the most important story.
Our commitment today is to advance the frontiers of knowledge, understanding and creativity and to produce graduates trained and inspired to make ever greater contributions to the world.
I am proud to be leading Kinnaird into its second century and along with all of you consider myself fortunate to be here at this occasion.
I believe that even after hundred years, with light to guide us, courage to support us and love to unite us, Kinnaird’s greatest contributions lie in its future.
As we step into our next century let us all, whether we are students, faculty, administrative staff or support staff, endeavor to give our best to Kinnaird.
Long Live Kinnaird!
Dr. Rukhsana David
Principal
