India, 2025– The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) hosted its second annual South Asia Cambridge Schools Conference, bringing together 400 educators, school and thought leaders from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. As demand for Cambridge qualifications grows across the region, the conference reinforced Cambridge’s commitment to supporting schools, teachers and learners in navigating the rapidly evolving education landscape.
The conference is set against the backdrop of a global demand for 44 million new teachers by 2030. In recognition of this need, Cambridge highlighted its commitment to empowering the region’s educators through new professional development programmes and qualifications, upskilling courses, pre-service teacher training, and short-term e-learning modules to grow the region’s teaching capacity.
In his opening address, Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge, praised school leaders across the region for working with Cambridge to shape curricula and resources, and introduce new innovative programmes that prepare learners to be ready for the world. He said: “At Cambridge, we are committed to preparing learners for a fast-changing world. To achieve this, we support teachers with professional development, we’re introducing digital exams to advance assessment, and we’re integrating AI to enhance learning. South Asia is becoming a hub of educational excellence, and we’re proud to collaborate with schools to build new programmes such as Cambridge Early Years and Climate Quest that will shape the future of education in this region and beyond.”
Vinay Sharma, Senior Vice President, International Education, South Asia, said: “Our commitment to making international education accessible while maintaining the highest standards of quality is unwavering. We empower our schools to build a strong foundation around learning, teaching and assessment. Through this conference, our aim is to explore new ways in which we can work together to equip learners—not just to adapt but to excel in an era marked by rapid technological, societal, and economic shifts.”
Cambridge’s other key initiatives for learners in India include Climate Quest for shaping climate resilience, Cambridge Connect, a programme to meet the needs of national high-stakes examinations, the March exam series to align with local admission needs, Integrated Learning & Assessment for developing English as a skill, and Young Pioneers to foster an entrepreneurial mindset.
Panel discussions featured eminent speakers including Mark Winterbottom, Professor of Education, University of Cambridge, Sarah Hughes, Head of Research, International Education, Cambridge, Sanjay Jain, Head of Google for Education, India, Lindsay Nadin, Director of Digital Products and Services, International Education, Dr Sue Brindley, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Abigail Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3-19 Curriculum, Aynur Ismayilli Karakoc, Senior Impact Evaluator, CUPA, Kevin Ebenezer, Director, University Pathways and Progression, International Education, to name a few. Other key initiatives including Climate Quest, Cambridge Connect for national high-stake examinations, March exam series, Integrated Learning & Assessment for developing English as skill, Young Pioneers for entrepreneurial mindset from the region were highlighted.
Sessions centred on the use of AI in the classroom, digital high-stakes examinations and career pathways of the future. Key topics discussed also included shaping mindfulness in the classroom, rethinking college-readiness for evolving career pathways, and equity in access to quality education. Several schools were recognised for their academic excellence through the Cambridge School Recognition Awards given out during the conference.
