Stanford University selects Dubai Scholars alumna Lamya Butt as student graduation speaker for the class of 2026

Stanford University's graduating Class of 2026 selected Lamya Sikandar Butt, an alumna of Dubai Scholars Private School, to deliver the student graduation address at the University's 2026 Baccalaureate celebration on June 13, before an audience of approximately 4,500 graduates, families and guests. The same weekend, Google CEO and Stanford alumnus Sundar Pichai delivered the University's Commencement keynote.

Each year, Stanford selects a single graduating senior from the entire class to deliver the student address, one voice chosen to speak on behalf of thousands of graduates.

Butt's story is one of resilience, ambition and purpose. A first-generation American university student, she arrived at Stanford from Dubai four years ago and graduated this month with Honors in Economics and a minor in South Asian Studies. She will begin her career as an investment banking analyst in New York, while pursuing a long-term ambition to help develop practical solutions to poverty and educational access across South Asia.

Her honors thesis explored the financial case for building climate resilient schools in Pakistan, bringing together education equity, development economics and finance.

Reflecting on the honour, Lamya Butt said:

“I am incredibly honoured to have been chosen as this year's student speaker. Standing on that stage, I knew I wanted to do justice to everyone who helped me reach that moment, my family, my friends, my mentors at Stanford, my teachers, and the entire community at Dubai Scholars. This merit belongs as much to them as it does to me. That moment reminded me that a child from a classroom in Dubai can dream boldly, work relentlessly, and earn a place at one of the world's most academically rigorous institutions. I hope my journey encourages other young people to believe that where you begin does not define how far you can go.” — Lamya Butt

Butt, who grew up between Dubai and Toronto, spent 15 years at Dubai Scholars before before earning a full scholarship from Stanford. Dubai Scholars congratulates Lamya on this exceptional achievement and wishes her every success as she begins the next chapter of her journey. 

For Dubai Scholars, the founding school of the Scholars International Group and a UAE institution marking five decades of academic excellence, Lamya's achievement is both a proud milestone and a quiet affirmation of everything the school sets out to do. 

Aparna Verma, Founder and CEO of Scholars International Group (SIG), said:

“Some moments simply stop you in your tracks, and watching Lamya speak for her graduating class at Stanford was absolutely one of them. We watched her grow from a bright eyed three-year-old into an intellectual force of nature by the time she graduated from Dubai Scholars. We are immensely proud of everything she has achieved. Lamya didn’t simply graduate from one of the world’s leading universities, she stood before her peers and represented an entire graduating class with intelligence, humility and grace.”— Aparna Verma 

From a Dubai classroom to one of the world's most prestigious university stages, Lamya's journey is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when talent is nurtured, ambition is encouraged and potential is recognized early. For the next generation of Dubai Scholars students, her story demonstrates just how far that journey can lead.