UK-based educational body expanding operations in India

Chennai, Jul 7 (PTI) Edexcel, UK's largest body for
primary and secondary education, plans to expand its
operations in India in collaboration with various schools.

"We are in the process of having a tieup with about 50
schools by the year end and affiliate them to offer
qualifications like International General Certificate of
Secondary Education and General Certificate Education, which
could give additional advantage to Indian students who prefer
to pursue higher studies in UK," Edexcel's Regional Director,
South Asia, Samiulla Baig said.

BTEC (Business And Technology Education Council), our
vocational certification, would experience great growth
prospects in India, he said.

Edexcel operates in 85 countries and every year more
than four million students "are inspired" to learn various
Edexcel programmes and qualifications. It had bases in various
places like Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Colombo
and Cape Town besides its headquarters in London.

Studying Edexcel courses would make it easier for
Indian students aspiring to go to UK for higher education, he
said.

Edexcel's academic examinations are conducted under
tight security and answer sheets are sent to UK for
correction. All students of Edexcel's IGCSE and GCE A Level
would be awarded certificates recognised in India as well as
UK and other countries, he said.

"If a student is qualified for any of these
qualifications and if he wishes to study in the UK, obtaining
entry would be easy since these courses have been approved by
the UK government," Baig said.

Students would soon find a lot of English Language,
Business, IT and other programmes being launched with BTEC
certification, which will help them progress into university
education in the UK and other countries, he said.

He said a total of 36 subjects were covered by IGCSE
curriculum in various areas including art and design.

Each school affiliating with Edexcel would need to
have well trained teachers to train the students, who take up
its syllabus. "We would be signing eight schools in south
India with four schools in Chennai, one school in Bangalore
and three in Kerala", he added. PTI SNR
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