Jordan Times
Thursday, September 23, 2004
IGCSE students ranked in
world's top ten honoured
AMMAN (JT) The University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and
the British Council celebrated the accomplishments of Jordanian students who
achieved academic excellence in their IGCSE and AS-level subject areas in the
Cambridge Queen Rania Awards on Tuesday.
The 14 award winners, eight ranked in the top ten in the world for their
particular subjects four for outstanding academic achievements and two
receiving the Cambridge Queen Rania Teacher Award attended a reception in the
British Council, attended by Minister of Education Khalid Touqan, and British
Ambassador to Jordan Christopher Prentice.
Tom Austin, director of business planning and marketing for CIE, announced the
names of the candidates, highlighting their remarkable achievements.
Among the eight young students grouped in the top ten, Sara Marie, 16, from the
National Orthodox School was ranked number 2 in the world in the Cambridge IGCSE
subject child development. Upon receiving the letter of recognition the
Cambridge board sent her, Marie felt that all her hard work had paid off. I'm
planning to study child psychology in England and would like to pursue a degree
in music at the same time, she told The Jordan Times.
Hamza Beano, 16, from Al Mashrek School was ranked number 5 in the world in
IGCSE chemistry. My success can be attributed to my teachers who provided IGCSE
students with the necessary academic and moral support, Beano said.
Each award winner received a Cambridge recognition certificate and JD200 cheque.
Khaleel Qussous, 16, from De La Salle College, received the Cambridge Queen
Rania Award for outstanding academic achievement. Qussous got six A-stars and 3
ASs this year. Two years from now, Qussous will try to obtain a scholarship to
study medicine in Britain. If not, he plans to register at the University of
Jordan.
Two other awards recognised students who have contributed services to the
community in addition to their academic achievements. Jude Kawwa and Zeid
Wakileh, both 14, each received a Cambridge Certificate and an all expenses paid
trip to the UK. Kawwa, who is a student at the Baptist School, told The Jordan
Times that she inherited her passion for social work from her parents and her
school.
I volunteered in Al Hussein Cancer Centre for two months this summer and tried
to soothe the children's pain, she said. I also work with the Promising Hands
Foundation through my school to deliver humanitarian aid to poor areas in the
country, she added.
Tim Gore, British Council director in Jordan, told The Jordan Times that these
high- quality students were a source of pride to Jordan as a country striving
for reform in all sectors.
Carri Pavitt, the campaign coordinator for CIE, said the students had achieved
fantastic results because of the online support and training sessions CIE held
for teachers.
The CIE yesterday launched an online support system for students providing them
with studying tips and online competitions to make studying more fun.
The Cambridge Queen Rania Awards, established in 2003, were introduced to
recognise and reward the achievements of students from CIS registered schools in
Jordan.
These awards are the outcome of a long-established partnership between the
British Council and the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate and
the Ministry of Education, the British ambassador said in his speech.
The partnership is committed to the development of quality IGCSE and AS courses
and examinations in the Kingdom and offers access to UK expertise in teacher
training administration and quality assured educational testing.