AMARTYA SEN LAUNCHES NEW GCSE QUALIFICATIONS
(22 June 2007)

New Cambridge IGCSEs in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India Studies were launched on the evening of 22 June 2007 by Nobel Prize winning Indian economist and philosopher Professor Amartya Sen. He took part in a panel discussion with historian and author Nick Robins, London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi , Channel 4 News Business Editor, Faisal Islam and Barrister and Broadcaster Huma Price. The event brought together Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Indian communities to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Plassey and looked at how extremism can be addressed in South Asian Communities through education.

Huma Price, said: "People from the Indian subcontinent, whether it's India, Bangladesh or Pakistan, will teach their children about their cultural heritage. Inevitably, they have passed on their biases and prejudices to the students as well as strands of information, not always properly researched, structured or coherent.

“The country specific Cambridge IGCSEs will not only provide proper, structured courses taught by qualified tutors, but they will also raise the status and profile of the countries in question, giving the students a sense of pride that their heritage is valued within the mainstream school system."

The new Cambridge IGCSE Bangladesh Studies and Pakistan Studies syllabuses have been developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) in consultation with teachers in Bangladesh and Pakistan. They introduce students to the country's history, culture, geography, environment and development. Students learn about their rich heritage and cultural influences, and about events which have shaped national identity. Through their studies, students also gain a deeper understanding of underlying skills and concepts, and examine different interpretations of historical events.

Students also consider the environmental and development issues facing Bangladesh, Pakistan and India to encourage a better understanding of the interaction between economy and environment, an understanding enhanced by the study of different source materials and perspectives.

First examinations for Cambridge IGCSE Bangladesh and Pakistan Studies take place next year. Cambridge IGCSE India Studies being developed in consultation with teachers in India during October 2007, and will be available for first teaching in 2011.

Murad Qureshi AM said: “I strongly believe that offering pupils the opportunity to study these IGCSEs will help to strength community cohesion, tackle extremism in South Asian Communities and raise aspirations among the South Asian youngsters in the UK. In the light of this, it seems clear that in order for the Government to achieve its own stated objectives, IGCSEs in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India Studies should be made available to school in the maintained sector.

“I am convinced that a demand for an IGCSE in Bangladesh and Pakistan Studies exists, particularly in areas like Tower Hamlets and Walthamstow. As a Community we have to show that both the demand and the expertise exist to teach this course, for the development of our youngest. I hope many in the community will write in to the awarding authorities to make sure the exam is adopted for use in the next school year.”

Ann Puntis, CIE’s Chief Executive, said: “We would be delighted to make these Cambridge IGCSEs available to students in Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani communities here in the UK. Around the world, schools find that these subjects add something very valuable to the curriculum.”

ABOUT CIE

University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is the world’s largest provider of international qualifications for 14-19 year olds. CIE qualifications are taken in 150 countries and recognised by universities, educational providers and employers across the world. CIE is part of Cambridge Assessment, a not-for-profit organisation and part of the University of Cambridge.

ABOUT PROFESSOR AMARTYA SEN

Professor Amartya Sen is an Indian economist, philosopher, and a winner of the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences (Nobel Prize for Economics) in 1998, for his work on famine, human development theory, welfare economics, the underlying mechanisms of poverty, and political liberalism.

From 1998 to 2004 he was Master of Trinity College at Cambridge University, becoming the first Asian academic to head an Oxbridge college. Amartya Sen is interested in the debate over globalization. He has given lectures to senior executives of the World Bank and he is honorary president of Oxfam. Among his many contributions to development economics, he has produced work on gender inequality. He is currently the Lamont University Professor at Harvard University. Amartya Sen's books have been translated into more than thirty languages.

ABOUT MURAD QURESHI

Murad Qureshi was elected a Londonwide Assembly Member in June 2004. Before that he worked in Housing and Regeneration for 15 years and was member of Westminster Council from 1998 until May 2006. At the GLA, Murad is Deputy Chair of the Environment Committee, Chair of the London Waterways Commission, member of the Transport Committee and member of the Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee. Murad has a keen interest in educational issues affecting London’s Asian Community.