07/08/2015
Cambridge Assessment English – a department of the University of Cambridge - and education consultants the Institute of Career Development celebrated the growing recognition of Cambridge English certifications at a symposium held on 30th July at the Avari Hotel, Lahore.
Universities, schools, language centres and training centres across Pakistan are offering their students the chance to earn Cambridge English certificates, which cover every level from the Cambridge English Young Learners tests for children, though to advanced professional development courses for language teachers. The importance of these certificates has even been recognised by the office of Pakistan’s Prime-Minister which said in a letter to the Institute of Career Development that increased access to the certificates will “benefit the Pakistani education community as a whole, especially young students.”
The Symposium was hosted by Andrea McKay (Head of Assessment Services for Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, Cambridge English). During the event, plans to engage with Cambridge English for both teacher training and English assessment exams in Higher Education Institutions of Punjab were announced. Izhar Hussain (Director, Center for Executive Education, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi) and Dr Osamah Qureshi (Director, Institute of Career Development) highlighted the areas in which Pakistani institutions can take advantage of Cambridge English programs in Pakistan and what their experience with Cambridge English has been so far.
Senior members of the Punjab Higher Education Commission attended the event. The Commission is interested in endorsing the Business English Certificates and will be recommending that Higher Education Institutions set up Cambridge English preparation centres.