ISLAMABAD: Founder and Chairperson of Beaconhouse Group Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri was given the honorary ‘Living Legend Award’ by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in recognition of her invaluable role towards the development of the education sector in Pakistan for over four-and-a-half decades.

The award ceremony was moderated by SDPI Executive Director Abid Qaiyum Suleri, which hosted a panel of distinguished speakers, including former State Bank of Pakistan governor Shahid Hafeez Kardar and Beaconhouse National University (BNU) vice chancellor.

The ceremony was also attended by prominent diplomats, mediapersons and representatives from the education sector.

On behalf of the institute, Shafqat Kakakhel, retired ambassador, former UN assistant secretary general and SDPI Board of Governors chairperson presented the award to Ms Kasuri at the event.

According to the SDPI, its ‘Living Legend Award’ is bestowed upon those visionary individuals, who have achieved excellence in diverse fields, including sustainable development, educational and cultural advancement and the promotion of democratic governance, justice and human rights.

It said the selection of the award recipients was done without any political, ethnic, denominational or gender-based considerations.

Speaking at the occasion, Shafqat Kakakhel lauded the role of the living legend for introducing the quality learning system in Pakistan 46 years ago through the Beaconhouse School System.

He said: “We have gathered here to pay tributes to Mrs Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri in recognition of her outstanding and unique contributions to the promotion of high-quality education from primary up to the higher secondary and even university levels in Pakistan.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Kasuri said: “I am truly honoured to receive this acknowledgement from SDPI. It brings me great pride to see what started as a vision to provide quality education to the children of Pakistan over four decades ago is setting new benchmarks today. It has been a lifetime of learning for me and inculcating values of learning onto thousands of those who have passed out from the Beaconhouse system over the years.”

She said education was fundamental for nation building and “I remain committed to offering the skills needed to stand proud and play a role in the future of a prosperous Pakistan”.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2022