Cambridge: Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, led a high-profile delegation to Cambridge University Press and Assessment from July 6 to July 9, 2024, aimed at bolstering educational ties and fostering international collaboration.

According to Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training announcement issued on 09 July 2024, the delegation, including prominent educational figures such as Ali Raza, Education Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab, and Dr. Syeda Zia Batool, Chairperson of PEIRA, participated in a series of productive discussions and events. These were designed to explore new avenues for cooperation and to strengthen the existing relationship between Pakistan and one of the world’s leading educational institutions.

The visit featured a dynamic agenda that included participation in the Cambridge Schools Conference, where Dr. Siddiqui emphasized the importance of effective communication in education, aligning with the conference’s theme, “Effective communication: from competence to confidence.” The delegation also engaged in strategic meetings with Cambridge officials such as Jane Mann, Managing Director of Cambridge Partnership for Education, and Tim Oates, Group Director of Assessment Research and Development, discussing topics ranging from teacher training enhancements to the integration of climate education into curricula.

A key highlight of the trip was a tour of the Cambridge archives, which underscored the long-standing educational partnership between Pakistan and Cambridge. This historical context set the stage for discussing future collaborative projects, including curriculum alignment and teacher training initiatives.

The visit concluded with a series of social and networking events that provided further opportunities for deepening ties and discussing potential educational projects, punctuated by a guided tour of Cambridge University that underscored the shared commitment to educational excellence.