Pakistani students secure top positions in Cambridge exams

Pakistani students were top in the world in 52 global subjects, and students took the top positions in a wide range of GEC O-Level subjects from Pakistan.
University of Cambridge International Examination (CIE) Chief Executive Ann Puntis and Cambridge Assessment Group Chief Executive Simon Lebus said this in a press conference held in connection with the completion of 90 years of Cambridge Examination system in South Asia, here on Monday.
British Council Pakistan Country Director Dr Tom Craig Cameron, and Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan Regional Manager CIE William Bickerdike also spoke on the occasion.
As many as 18,000 students were entered for the Cambridge O-Level examinations and over 9,000 for AS-Level and A-Level examinations through the British Council in the year 2005.
Pakistani students were top in the world in three global subjects, they said and added over eight million candidates sat in the Cambridge Assessment Group Examination in a year in 140 countries across the world. The Cambridge Assessment was committed to maintaining the highest standards of reliability and integrity, supported by the latest technology, they added.
The Cambridge Assessment was the new brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) and working as not for profit organisation to provide best quality of service in the education field and contributing to the future by building on the University's educational and scientific heritage.
Cambridge Assessment has developed and promoted qualifications around the world for almost 150 years and has seen the need for internationally recognised qualifications continue to grow.
To a question, Ann Puntis said the contribution from provision of education world-wide had reached to nine billion pound sterling. However, fees could not be reduced, as they had to ensure transparency in examinations and maintenance of security.
They also expressed their sympathies to the earthquake victims and said Pakistan was passing through a difficult time.