IBCC and AKU Examination Board Partner to Enhance Educational Standards in Pakistan

IBCC and AKU Examination Board Partner to Enhance Educational Standards in Pakistan

In a significant step towards improving the education system in Pakistan, the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) and Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 13, 2025. This MoU aims to foster collaboration and cooperation in enhancing the standards of assessments and examinations across the country. It focuses on introducing innovative assessment practices and improving the quality of examinations nationwide.

The MoU was signed during a ceremony led by Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director, IBCC, and Dr. Naveed Yousuf, CEO, AKU Examination Board.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Naveed Yousuf welcomed the IBCC delegation and shared his vision for the collaboration. "AKU Examination Board was established as a model of excellence in education and examination for Pakistan and the developing world. The board follows the national curriculum and ensures that our education and assessment standards align with international benchmarks. Quality and access is at the heart of our work and we are excited to work closely with the government to bring our expertise in best assessment practices to the national education system," he said.

Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah highlighted the importance of AKU-EB's contributions to education. "The issue of rote learning has persisted in Pakistan for years. While the government has policies to promote best practices, the gap lies in execution and expertise. This is where AKU Examination Board can play a transformative role. AKU-EB is not just an assessment body—it works closely with each of its schools to equip and train affiliated teachers on delivering quality education. We can learn a great deal from their model which is already delivering world-class standards. The government is fully committed to improving the quality of education, training teachers, and advancing conceptual learning across the country," he said.

The major initiative under this MoU is a nationwide capacity-building program. This program includes one-day awareness seminars and three-day specialized training sessions for stakeholders, exam developers, and paper setters across Pakistan to equip educators and teachers with the skills needed to implement best practices in assessment and promote conceptual learning according to the Model Assessment Framework.

The partnership between IBCC and AKU-EB marks a pivotal moment in the journey to strengthen Pakistan's education system. The two institutions aim to set new benchmarks for quality education and assessments, paving the way for a brighter future for students nationwide.