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Karachi students excel in Cambridge exams
Karachi, Feb 27, 2008: Of the 52 students from Pakistan that achieved the best results
in the world in the June 2007 sessions of the Cambridge O, A and AS levels
exams, 23 students are from Karachi.
This was disclosed by Regional
Manager, South Asia, University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE),
William Bickerdike, at a press conference at the British Deputy High Commission
(BDHC) on Tuesday.
Last year's high achieving students from Pakistan were
presented with gold medals by Robert Gibson, British Deputy High Commissioner,
at an impressive ceremony at the BDHC
The students and their parents
attended the ceremony
Of these 23 students, 18 achieved 'Brilliance in
Pakistan Awards' in the O level, while three bagged this award for the A level
and two for the AS level.
Bickerdike said: 'What is so impressive about
the performance of students in Pakistan is that it is consistently brilliant,
year after year. This year is no exception, reflecting the fact that the level
of preparation and endeavours are as high as ever'.
Director,
Examination Services, Pakistan, of the British Council, John Gildea; Provincial
Director, British Council, Sindh and Balochistan, Syed Mashood Rizvi; and
Director, Examinations, Karachi, of the British Council, Asim Saeed Khar; were
also present on the occasion.
Mashood said that Pakistan is
second on the list of the British Council's enrolment, while China is on the
top.
"I have always been impressed by the high standards they achieve in
their examinations," Bickerdike added.
"It has become almost a tradition
for Pakistani students to attain the highest possible marks in their syllabus,
but the point needs to be made is that these students are in competition with a
very large global cohort. To achieve the highest global mark in the face of so
much competition from the rest of the world is all the more commendable," said
Bickerdike.
Citing the reasons behind the high level of performance by
students in Pakistan, he said that, firstly, some of the best teachers were
trained in this country and added that there was immense support from teachers
and parents to the students. He also cited the training option to be a
contributing factor to the performance.
With regard to the training
option, he also said that online courses were available and students in Pakistan
had access to these. He also informed that the BC is introducing Video
Conferencing for the first time in Pakistan through which students would be
trained simultaneously along with other international students.
Mashood
Rizvi, while praising the performance of the students, said that, under the
prevailing circumstances, the students performed the best. These students, he
said, even appeared in the exam when Karachi was bleeding - on May 12 and
October 18, which saw violence erupt in the entire city.
Akash Ahmed
Shaikh from Karachi Grammar School achieved the top marks in the world for O
Level Additional Mathematics. Speaking on the occasion, Akash said that
education was not only a tool for personal improvement but also the foundation
of social progress and well being. "When I heard that I had scored a distinction
I was ecstatic and overjoyed and felt that my hard work and enthusiasm had paid
off," said Akash.
Amjad Mohammed Khan, who bagged the top marks in the
world in A level Accounting and Mathematics said, "Every one has a different
perspective; give every one a chance. Listen to every one's view. But, in the
end, do what you want to do."
Rabia Rafique who topped Karachi in O
level Commerce said that, "Believe in God, trust your strength, enjoy your work
and study wholeheartedly to accomplish your aims; curb violence and frauds,
rather unite and work hard to make the world a better place to live."
Rafiq Ahmed Rahman Lightwala, the only son of his parents, topped
Karachi in Economics. He said that the subject was his strong suit and while he
hoped that he would proceed abroad for further studies, in the end he said he
would back home to serve his country. The News
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