WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.280 On behalf of Cambridge International Examinations, I'd like to welcome all of you to this important 00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:23.440 gathering and thank you for your contributions, which are paramount to Cambridge's mission 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:28.120 of delivering excellence in education. 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:32.360 We're pleased today to have representatives from across Asia, including policy makers 00:00:32.360 --> 00:00:40.000 and educators from Malaysia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:43.140 Pakistan and Vietnam. 00:00:43.140 --> 00:00:50.220 I also wish to note the presence of a representative from UNESCO Banco at this event. 00:00:50.220 --> 00:00:55.800 Our sister organization, Cambridge University Press, is represented with a stand outside 00:00:55.800 --> 00:00:57.860 And I would invite you to speak with them 00:00:57.860 --> 00:01:00.740 and browse their book display during one of our breaks. 00:01:00.747 --> 00:01:09.867 Cambridge International Examinations is the world's largest provider of international 00:01:09.867 --> 00:01:17.747 education programs and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds. Our qualifications are taken 00:01:17.747 --> 00:01:24.227 in over 160 countries and they are recognized by universities, education providers and employers 00:01:24.227 --> 00:01:32.027 worldwide. Across Asia Pacific we work with almost 700 schools in the private 00:01:32.027 --> 00:01:36.387 and international sector that offer Cambridge qualifications for their 00:01:36.387 --> 00:01:41.207 students and we have collaboration agreements in place with several 00:01:41.207 --> 00:01:47.927 ministries of education in the region. In Malaysia we have a long history of 00:01:47.927 --> 00:01:52.307 collaboration with the Ministry of Education including through our work 00:01:52.307 --> 00:01:55.307 with the Malaysian examination syndicate. 00:01:57.307 --> 00:02:01.487 In 2011, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the 00:02:01.493 --> 00:02:06.293 Ministry of Rural and Regional Development to provide further support for their junior 00:02:06.293 --> 00:02:08.493 science colleges. 00:02:08.493 --> 00:02:18.413 Altogether, 118 schools currently offer Cambridge education programs in Malaysia. 00:02:18.413 --> 00:02:24.053 Our commitment to Malaysia was also recently highlighted by the fact that the very first 00:02:24.053 --> 00:02:32.333 trip by our new chief executive, Mr. Michael O'Sullivan, was to Malaysia. 00:02:32.333 --> 00:02:38.293 Together with group chief executive Simon Leibis, he hosted a reception with representatives 00:02:38.293 --> 00:02:43.453 from the ministry, from schools and other organizations, as well as visiting our local 00:02:43.453 --> 00:02:51.653 office here in Subang Jaya and a few of the Cambridge schools. 00:02:51.653 --> 00:02:54.913 I'm grateful to the Director General for his support, 00:02:54.913 --> 00:02:57.253 and I'm pleased to see strong, delicate numbers 00:02:57.253 --> 00:02:59.713 from the Malaysian Examination Syndicate, 00:02:59.713 --> 00:03:02.233 as well as Malaysia Schools, academics, 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:11.000 and educators. Cambridge Horizons is a series of live and online discussions 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:15.980 that bring together education experts and stakeholders to explore educational 00:03:15.980 --> 00:03:21.620 issues affecting Asia Pacific. These seminars held across different countries 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:26.780 in this region are ideal for policymakers, curriculum developers and 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:31.040 educators. They aim to provide Asian insights and perspectives to the 00:03:31.040 --> 00:03:36.740 discussion. The seminars are part of a broad and comprehensive program with 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:41.540 which we aim to contribute to the development of effective teaching and 00:03:41.540 --> 00:03:47.480 successful learning in Asia Pacific. Recent Cambridge Horizons events 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:52.220 included, for example, a seminar for policymakers on bilingual education, 00:03:52.220 --> 00:03:57.560 cognitive benefits, and policy into practice. This seminar was held in 00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:00.460 in Singapore, and it was followed by another seminar 00:04:00.460 --> 00:04:02.980 held in Ho Chi Minh City on the 00:04:02.987 --> 00:04:07.387 bilingual education, pedagogy and management, which was aimed at school leaders. 00:04:08.987 --> 00:04:12.587 In March, our Cambridge Horizon seminar in Shanghai addressed the question, 00:04:13.147 --> 00:04:17.387 what does research suggest are the most powerful influences on student learning 00:04:18.107 --> 00:04:20.267 and what does this mean for education in Asia? 00:04:22.987 --> 00:04:28.107 Today's seminar on school-based assessment will be chaired by Isabel Nisbet. 00:04:28.107 --> 00:04:36.107 Isabel joined Cambridge International Examinations in 2011 and has been based in Singapore since then. 00:04:36.107 --> 00:04:44.107 As Director of Education Southeast Asia, her role is to lead on our ministry relations in the region, 00:04:44.107 --> 00:04:49.107 to advise Cambridge on developments in educational policy and thinking in Asia Pacific, 00:04:49.107 --> 00:04:55.107 and to contribute to international discussion and debate, particularly on curriculum and assessment. 00:04:55.107 --> 00:05:03.727 From 2008 to 2011, Isabel was chief executive of Ofqual, the regulator of 00:05:03.733 --> 00:05:07.613 qualifications and examinations in England. 00:05:07.613 --> 00:05:12.253 Before that, she was a director at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in England. 00:05:12.253 --> 00:05:17.833 Her previous career was in public service in the UK, including civil service posts in 00:05:17.833 --> 00:05:22.433 several UK government departments, as well as senior roles in the regulation of the health 00:05:22.433 --> 00:05:28.693 profession and of postgraduate medical education. 00:05:28.693 --> 00:05:32.553 Ladies and gentlemen, once again, thank you for coming here for this Cambridge Horizons 00:05:32.553 --> 00:05:38.273 seminar, it is now my great pleasure to invite the Director General of the Ministry of Education 00:05:38.273 --> 00:05:41.073 Malaysia to give his opening address. 00:05:41.073 --> 00:05:45.653 Please join me in welcoming to the stage Tan Sri Abdul Ghaffar. 00:05:45.653 --> 00:05:46.153 Thank you very much. 00:06:02.553 --> 00:06:32.533 Thank you.