Dubai, UAE – 31 October 2015: To meet the needs of an increasing number of international schools in the Middle East teaching a British curriculum, Oxford International AQA Examinations will launch its new qualifications in the region in November. This move is aimed at helping British curriculum international schools in the region demonstrate a commitment to quality and remain in step with the educational system in the UK.
The launch makes the Middle East the first region in the world to benefit from the joint venture between Oxford University Press (OUP), the world’s largest university press and AQA, the UK’s largest academic awarding body.
Driven by a mission to improve young people’s education around the world, Oxford International AQA Examinations will provide international A-levels and GCSEs to the Middle East, initially in English, Maths and Science.
The qualifications will reflect many of the latest reforms to the British Curriculum, including the new 9-1 grading system at GCSE. They have been tailored for English speakers living outside the UK, and exams will be scheduled at locally-convenient times.
Kate Harris, Managing Director, Oxford Education at Oxford University Press, and Andrew Hall, Chief Executive of AQA, will speak at the regional launch in Dubai, while Christine Ozden, Managing Director, Oxford International AQA Examinations and Martine Garland, Director of Educational Development at AQA will address Abu Dhabi attendees.
Kate Harris said: “Education has the ability to transform lives, and it is also a catalyst for economic growth, sustainability and innovation. With a growing focus on education across the Middle East, Oxford International AQA Examinations will support learning across the region; providing the highest quality qualifications to support the growing number of children attending international schools. I truly believe it will make a real difference.”
The new international qualifications from Oxford International AQA Examinations are based on UK qualifications developed by more than 1,000 teachers, subject specialists and university academics.
“Our qualifications draw upon the complementary strengths of OUP and AQA,” Andrew Hall said. “At AQA, we bring our expertise in developing and delivering world-class qualifications, and both organisations share a mission to improve education through teaching, learning and assessment. These new qualifications will really help young people in the Middle East to develop the skills they need to thrive in the world’s knowledge-based economies.”
The Middle East launch will take place in Dubai on the 3rd of November at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and in Abu Dhabi on the 4th November at the Rosewood Hotel. International qualifications from Oxford International AQA Examinations will be available for teaching from September 2016.
