In September 2017, GIIS Queenstown had the privilege of hosting Mr. Javed Akhtar and Ms. Shabana Azmi as guests for the GIIS Leadership Lecture Series.

Over the course of their visit, Mr Akhtar and Ms. Azmi engaged with the students in a very introspective and engaging question- answer session with a panel of students from IBDP year1. The topics of discussion ranged from their insights into art to what they believed a celebrity’s role in society was. Throughout the hour that they were there, they shared many of their own experiences along with valuable advice to the students.

Mr Akhtar and Ms. Azmi both being exceptionally talented artists alongside being powerful leaders and humanitarians imparted very relevant and profound knowledge to the young audience. Mr Akhtar’s opening statements on excellence and how it was not about the destination, but rather about the journey to achieving that excellence truly mattered and resonated with the audience members. Ms. Azmi’s comments on how education system should be made inclusive to everyone, had a great impact on the listeners as well. Their views and opinions on the strength of the Indian people and on the changing society and norms provided for an extremely thought-provoking panel discussion that the panelists and audience members thoroughly enjoyed.

Through this special edition of the Leadership Lecture Series, the students from GIIS campuses all across the world via a worldwide live view feed got a wonderful opportunity to listen to both the veteran artists. Their speech on excellence was really meaningful and it was truly and honor to have such an opportuinity.