Good morning, everyone.
I want to start not with me, but with a young man named Param Jaggi.
When he was just 16 years old, he was bothered by the amount of carbon emissions coming from car exhausts, a problem that contributes to global warming. He didn’t just accept it as an unchangeable part of modern life. He started thinking about how his high school chemistry lessons could be applied to solve this real-world problem.
Leveraging his academic knowledge and a creative approach, he developed a device he called the “Algae Mobile.” It’s a small device that fits over a car’s exhaust pipe and uses a type of algae to convert carbon dioxide emissions into oxygen. It was an elegant and practical solution that turned a harmful byproduct into something beneficial. Param went on to present his invention at science fairs, gaining recognition from major media outlets and even being invited to the White House. His story isn’t about being a child prodigy; it’s about a teenager who saw a problem, used what he was learning in school, and had the courage and determination to apply that knowledge to create a tangible impact. He showed that you don’t have to be a seasoned scientist or a CEO to make a difference. All you need is a curious mind, a desire to act, and the willingness to apply your learning to the world around you.
I am Antonello Barbaro, father of Sofia and Tommaso, husband of Cristina and serving all of you as Director General of our schools. It is a privilege to welcome you to this academic year.
You are here, in this room, embarking on one of the most intellectually rigorous and demanding academic journeys available today: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. I know this programme is a challenge. It’s a complex tapestry of deadlines, assessments, and competing demands. From the Extended Essay to your Theory of Knowledge presentations and the creativity, activity, and service projects, the workload can feel immense. The pressure to excel, to manage your time, and to balance your studies with your personal lives is real. These challenges are not incidental; they are by design.
Right now, you’re not just memorising facts or learning formulas. You are building muscles, muscles for university and for life.
The challenges you face in the DP are the very same ones you will encounter at university and beyond.
The discipline required to manage the Extended Essay is the same discipline you will need for your undergraduate thesis.
The critical thinking honed in Theory of Knowledge will be your most powerful tool in navigating complex professional and ethical dilemmas. This is not about preparing you to be a good student; it’s about preparing you to be a great human.
I’ve seen countless H-FARM alumni tell me how their IBDP experience made their freshman year at university feel almost… easy.
While their peers were still learning how to manage their time and navigate academic rigor, our graduates were already two steps ahead, ready to thrive.
So, how do you make the most of this journey?
First, invest in your own growth. Not just your academic scores, but your personal development. The IBDP requires you to be self-disciplined and organised, but it also asks you to be resilient and self-aware. Take time to breathe, to connect with yourself, and to strengthen your self-confidence.
Second, build relationships. The people sitting around you, your peers and your teachers, are not just a community; they are your network. The friendships you forge here can last a lifetime, and the mentorship from your teachers can be invaluable. This is a place to connect, to collaborate, and to learn from one another.
Third, become a leader. Leadership is not about a title; it is about action. It’s about seeing a need, big or small, and stepping up to help. Just like Param, you can start small, in an area you care about. Act as a diplomat for humanity, embracing new joiners and different points of view. Understand that our differences—in culture, in perspective, in background—are our greatest strengths, not our weaknesses.
Your generation stands at an extraordinary crossroads.
You will witness and lead a future that will likely include the triumph of space exploration, a new era of human longevity thanks to medical and scientific breakthroughs, and the advent of technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence, which will solve problems that have previously been unresolvable. These are thrilling possibilities. They should fill you with excitement and a sense of purpose.
But I know that with this excitement can come fear. I know that as you sit here, you might be asking yourselves some hard questions:
- Can I really handle this?
- Am I smart enough to keep up with the workload?
- How can I manage the stress and still have a life?
- Will I make friends and find my place here?
- For those of you far from home, am I capable of making it on my own, away from my family and my country?
The answer to all of these questions is yes. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
This is the very essence of H-FARM international school. You are surrounded by top-notch professionals: our wonderful teachers, learning experts, boarding parents, university and career counselors, and experts in physical and mental health. We are all here for you. We are not just a school; we are a network of support, ready to help you navigate every challenge and celebrate every success.
Remember Param. He started with a small act and a clear vision. His journey was about turning knowledge into action and using the resources around him to create a global impact. Your journey here is no different. Every single day, you are building the skills, the academic rigour, the resilience, the collaborative spirit, that will allow you to do the same. This is your time to transform your passion into purpose.
Every day, ask yourself this question: Have I become better than my previous best in one area or another? Have I learned something new yesterday?
Image of every day, become better than your previous best))
You and your parents chose this school because our mission is clear: to empower students to transform innovation into human progress for a better society.
We are ready to work together with you to build a more just, joyful, and sustainable world. Thank you.
