Edexcel, formerly known as the University of London Examination and Assessment Council (ULEAC), announced the introduction of the new IGCSE specifications to start teaching from August/September 2009. The new IGCSEs are the most up-to-date international qualifications written by leading subject experts in the UK and combine the best features of the legacy IGCSE and O level qualifications. The formal launch ceremony in Colombo was a gala event attended by many dignitaries and guests from the academic world.

The function was graced by Gill Westaway - Country Director British Council who thanked Edexcel for introducing modern and up-to-date qualifications in Sri Lanka. Gill said she was sure Sri Lankan students will greatly benefit from this new qualification. She added that our students will now be able to perform much better against global competition with the new IGCSE qualification as compared to the existing O Levels. She also found it heartening that Edexcel would be providing advanced support to the students through the use of technology with these new qualifications.

Dr. David Davies, International Business Manager, Edexcel who had specially come down from London to attend the ceremony reiterated Edexcel's position as one of only 3 major examination boards accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), UK. He said that "Sri Lanka has been one of the key countries for Edexcel in our international plans. We have seen a marked recognition of, and preference for, high quality international qualifications among students here and this has been reflected in the growing popularity of our qualifications." Regarding the new IGCSE qualifications he said these have been designed to be Edexcel's most up-to-date international qualifications, matching the GCSEs that students undertake in the UK.

His talk also touched upon the growing need for workplace relevant vocational qualifications and Edexcel's efforts to expand its internationally recognized vocational qualifications in Sri Lanka in sectors such as Business, Computing, English Language, Construction etc under the BTEC umbrella. Dr Davies mentioned that O level qualifications have not been offered in the UK since 1988 and the time was ripe for a change internationally.

Dr. Harsha Alles, Director of Gateway College, who had been offering Edexcel IGCSE for the last 4 years, spoke of how the applied method of studies used in the IGCSEs help develop the students' thinking power and prepare them for the GCE A/L examinations.

Kishore Roy, Country Exams Manager British Council Sri Lanka, Ms. Premila Paulraj Canitius, Edexcel'sTerritory Manager for India Subcontinent, prominent Educationists, British Council Examinations Manager, Principals and teachers were amongst others who were present on this occasion.

About Edexcel
Edexcel, a Pearson company, is UK's largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to schools, colleges, employers and other places of learning in the UK and internationally. In 2007 we delivered 9.6 million exam scripts in over 85 countries, with 4.5 million marked onscreen using the groundbreaking ePen technology. Our general qualifications taken internationally include GCSEs, AS and A Levels and IGCSEs. Our vocational qualifications include BTEC from entry level to Higher National Diplomas. Our entire vocational portfolio had over one million registrations across 45 countries.

www.edexcel.com/ international