On May 27, 2025, Habib University inaugurated Commencement Week with an evening steeped in reflection, gratitude, and purpose. The event, titled “Shaping Futures, Reshaping Philanthropy”, celebrated the remarkable journey of the Class of 2025 and paid tribute to the Mohsineen, a growing community of generous donors who make access-driven, contextually grounded education at Habib University possible.
Held at the university’s campus, the evening brought together academic leadership, students, alumni, industry partners, and philanthropic supporters, affirming Habib’s vision of making higher education a shared societal mission.
A Night of Reflection and Purpose
The program opened with a compelling visual narrative titled The Last Generation with a Choice. Blending video and live storytelling, the segment challenged the audience to confront the world students are inheriting, from climate collapse to mass displacement and rising authoritarianism, and posed a crucial question: Will we choose despair, or rise with courage and imagination?
The narrative concluded with a showcase of Habib University’s alumni and graduating students whose academic and professional pursuits exemplify action grounded in values.
Among them was Amal Hashim (B.Sc. Social Development and Policy, 2020), an alumna whose research delves into Sindh’s marine heritage and its climate vulnerabilities. Osama Rizwan (B.E. Electrical Engineering, 2018) spoke about his work on renewable energy transitions in Karachi’s industrial sectors. Shagufta Karim (B.A. Communication and Design, 2025), a graduating student, presented her final-year film project, Behti Kahaniyan, a poignant commentary on toxic humanism and the ecological degradation of Pakistan’s water systems.
“The stories shared tonight show how Habib graduates are not only equipped to ask the right questions, but empowered to act on them,” said one attendee, reflecting on the segment’s impact.
(L-R) Amal Hashim, Shagufta Karim, and Osama Rizwan spoke onstage about their work and sharing their gratitude for a holistic education.
A Conversation with Mr. Arif Habib
A key highlight of the evening was a trilogue featuring Mr. Arif Habib, Chairman of the Arif Habib Group and a prominent member of the Habib University Foundation Board of Directors.
He engaged in a thoughtful conversation with graduating students Munaza Fatima (Social Development and Policy) who shared her transformative academic journey and impactful community projects. Syed Muhammad Ali Naqvi (Computer Science) reflected on the interdisciplinary learning and global opportunities he experienced at Habib University. The conversation not only highlighted Mr. Habib’s enduring commitment to the university but also underscored the importance of investing in human potential.
Their conversation offered a unique perspective on personal growth, leadership, and the future of education in Pakistan.
Munaza Fatima and Syed Muhammad Ali Naqvi engaged in conversation with Mr. Arif Habib centered around growth, offering insights into Mr. Arif Habib’s personal, academic, and communal life.
Celebrating Impact Through Philanthropy
In a deeply moving closing note, President Wasif A. Rizvi congratulated the graduating class and reaffirmed Habib University’s mission: to offer a world-class education, rooted in local context, to those who need it most.
“Great institutions are not built by individuals. They are built by communities who dare to imagine differently”, President Rizvi shared, echoing the spirit of the evening.
He announced a powerful statistic: 83% of the Class of 2025, received financial assistance through scholarships and aid, made possible by the generosity of the Mohsineen (supporters and friends).
This achievement, he noted, is not just about numbers, it’s about a vision of inclusive excellence, and a belief that merit and ambition should never be held back by financial constraints.
President Wasif Rizvi emphasized the impact of the Mohsineen community in uniting to build enduring institutions and invest in higher education.
Honoring the Mohsineen Community
The event was attended by distinguished members of the Mohsineen community and leaders from across Pakistan’s business and corporate sectors. Their presence reaffirmed a shared commitment to reshaping philanthropy and investing in the country’s future through education.
More than a ceremonial gathering, the evening stood as a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when a community unites around a purposeful vision.
Members of the Mohsineen community and the Habib University leadership came together for a group picture at the end of the event.
As the Class of 2025 steps into the world, they carry with them not only the strength of a rigorous, values-driven education, but also the trust, belief, and support of a community that dared to imagine a better future, and invested in making it real.
