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ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (APP):OxfordAQA, a partnership between Oxford University Press and AQA, the UK’s largest provider of GCSEs and A-levels, convened education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners at the OxfordAQA School Leaders’ Summit 2026 in Islamabad focused on redefining assessment and learning through competence-based education and future-ready skills.
The event brought together national and international experts to explore how assessment systems can better prepare students for the demands of the modern world.
Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, delivered a keynote on Shifting the Focus: Competence-Based Education. He highlighted the urgent need to move beyond rote learning, emphasizing “Competence-based education places the learner at the centre of the system.
By focusing on skills, application, and understanding, we can ensure that education remains relevant to both national priorities and global opportunities”.
A keynote address on ‘The Role of Skills in Assessment’ was delivered by Dr Shoaiba Mansoor, Deputy Education Advisor, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, who stated, “The OxfordAQA School Leaders’ Summit 2026 reinforces a critical truth: assessment must move beyond measuring what students remember to evaluating how they think, reason, and apply knowledge. In a rapidly changing world, school leaders play a decisive role in ensuring that assessment prepares learners not just for examinations, but for higher education, work, and life itself.
Andrew Coombe, Managing Director, OxfordAQA, outlined the organization’s global mission. “At OxfordAQA, our purpose is to design assessments that are fair, rigorous, and future-focused, Our work in Pakistan reflects a shared commitment to raising standards and empowering learners with skills that matter”.
Another keynote on ‘OxfordAQA and AI: Leading with Learning’, was presented by Dr. Alexandra Tomescu, Product Specialist: Generative AI and Machine Learning, Oxford University Press. “AI, when used responsibly, can enhance learning, assessment design, and teacher support. Our focus is on ensuring that technology strengthens educational integrity and learner outcomes.”
Andrew Coombe presented ‘The Impact of the OxfordAQA Approach Around the World’, sharing global insights and case studies. This was complemented by Salma Adil, Director, OxfordAQA Pakistan, who spoke on the local impact. “In Pakistan, OxfordAQA is supporting schools and educators to adopt assessment practices that develop confidence, critical thinking, and transferable skills”.
A panel discussion titled ‘Empowering Students with Future-Focused Skills’ was moderated by Neda Mulji, Senior Manager, Professional Development, Oxford University Press Pakistan, and featured expert perspectives on preparing learners for an evolving global landscape. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A with participants.
The programme also featured a presentation on the ‘Oxford International Programme: Future-Readiness at Every Level’ by Matt MacGregor, highlighting pathways that support students from early years through secondary education.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Andrew Coombe, who reaffirmed OxfordAQA’s long-term commitment to Pakistan.
“Collaboration with educators, institutions, and policymakers is key to shaping the future of education. Together, we can ensure that students are equipped not just to succeed in exams, but to thrive in life,” he said.