THE University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) has introduced three new syllabuses here, namely, IGCSE Global Perspective, International Mathematics and 21st Century Science. William Bickerdike, regional manager for Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, University of CIE, said the new programs to be started next year will enable schools to “pick from an impressive range of 70 subjects.” He said the new curriculum, “with changes in not only its content but also in the scheme of assignment” will encourage project and group work. “The exam duration will be longer to give candidates more time to think, especially in math, where they need to develop their thinking skills,” Bickerdike said. He said Tabuk and Jubail have Cambridge schools, and that Khamis Mushayt will offer A Levels from this year onwards. “We want to see more schools here offer IGCSC at the international level, not only in the three major cities of Saudi Arabia, but also in other cities. I would encourage schools to come forward and work with the British Council in promoting quality education,” said Bickerdike. He said the university plans to hold professional development workshops for teachers and adult learners. At a recently held ceremony at the Pakistan International School Jeddah, the British Council recognized students who successfully appeared for the IGCSE and A-Level examinations of the CIE 2008 from across the Kingdom. Eighty-seven students from Saudi Arabia, 34 of them from Jeddah, were given excellence awards by the council. “The number of brilliant students from Jeddah is more than that from other cities,” said Marcus Gilbert, director of the British Council, Western Region. By region the top-ranked students in the Cambridge IGCSE and International AS/A level examinations are: Jeddah - Farhan Adib Ahmed and Noman Bashir (Economics) from the Bangladesh International School Jeddah; Riyadh - Saptarshi Chowdhury (Chemistry) from the Bangladesh International School Riyadh; and Georges Obeid (Chemistry and Physics) from Jubail International School in the Dammam region. “These students have been provided with a platform on which to build their future. I hope more students study in UK universities, where education is of high quality. Students can have a fantastic time while studying, thereby helping in the development of their countries,” said British Consul General Kate Rudd. She said there are 14,000 Saudi students currently enrolled in various universities in the UK, and there are a total of 23,000 Saudis, including their spouses and children. Around 80,000 visas were issued in 2008, out of which 18,000 were student visas. “The British Council is celebrating its 75th anniversary and 42 years of its cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Our aim is to promote cultural relations around the world by building mutually beneficial relations between people in the UK and other countries,” said Gilbert. He said last year nearly 30,000 individuals received UK degrees. Director of International Education at the Saudi Ministry of Education, Dr. Ali Al-Khabti, said the British Council and the Saudi Education Ministry are working together to improve the standard of education in Saudi Arabia, and that the partnership will continue until they achieve their target of setting up a standard educational system in the country. – SGHala International School bags CIE world rankings MADIHA Abdul Karim from Hala International School, Jeddah, scored top honors in the A-Level CIE that was held in May/June last year. She came first in three subjects, Accounting, Applied ICT and Business Studies in the Kingdom, and came first, second and fifth, in the world in Business Studies, Applied ICT, and Accounting, respectively. “We are proud to be the only school in the Kingdom to have achieved the three world rankings in the A-Level exams. We are also proud of Madiha and are happy to see that a combination of her hard work and the high standard of education of our school has led to such success,” said Tanveer Tariq, founder and principal of the school.
