OxfordAQA Leadership Conference 2026 Held in Dhaka with Over 180 School Leaders

The OxfordAQA Leadership Conference 2026 was held in Dhaka, bringing together more than 180 school leaders from international schools across Bangladesh, alongside prominent educationists from the UK and other countries.

Themed “Take Your School Further with OxfordAQA,” the conference focused on school leadership, improving educational standards, future-ready learning, and the challenges and opportunities facing schools.

OxfordAQA is a joint venture between Oxford University Press (OUP), a department of the University of Oxford, and AQA, one of the UK's largest examination boards. Combining the expertise and longstanding experience of both institutions, OxfordAQA develops internationally recognised qualifications and assessment systems for students worldwide.

Its international curriculum goes beyond preparing students for examinations, aiming to equip them with essential skills for the future. The approach encourages independent learning, problem-solving, confidence in navigating a changing world and a lifelong commitment to learning.

Held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the capital, the conference was moderated by Shaheen Reza, Country Director for Bangladesh and Nepal at OxfordAQA.

The event was attended by BOBY Hajjaj, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education of the Government of Bangladesh, as the chief guest.

Special guests included Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh; Sakib Ershad, Trade and Investment Director at the British High Commission in Dhaka; Junaid Ahmed, Managing Director and Head of Market (English and Exams) at the British Council Bangladesh; Mark Bedlow, Trustee of Meridian Trust and former Chief Operating Officer of AQA; and Jennifer Dugan, Head of Qualifications at OxfordAQA.

School leaders shared their experiences and discussed emerging challenges and opportunities in education. Keynote speaker Mark Bedlow highlighted successful educational initiatives and best practices from different countries, exploring how these experiences could be adapted to the Bangladeshi school context.

Strengthening educational cooperation between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom was also a key focus of the discussions.

Speaking at the event, State Minister BOBY Hajjaj welcomed OxfordAQA's initiative to introduce Bengali as a subject in the International GCSE curriculum for Bengali-speaking students worldwide.

“I sincerely welcome OxfordAQA's initiative to include Bengali in the International GCSE curriculum for Bengali-speaking students across the world. This is an important step towards showcasing our language and cultural heritage within an international education system,” he said.

Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun of the UGC praised OxfordAQA's Global Skills Project and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), noting that such initiatives provide students with opportunities for independent learning and project-based work.

“These initiatives help students develop important skills such as research, creative thinking, problem-solving, effective communication and independent project management. These competencies will be highly valuable in their higher education and future careers,” he said.

Junaid Ahmed, Managing Director and Head of Market (English and Exams) at the British Council Bangladesh, said the organisation would continue supporting UK examination boards in delivering high-quality and reliable examinations.

Sakib Ershad, Trade and Investment Director at the British High Commission in Dhaka, reaffirmed the UK's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through continued cooperation in education and creating more opportunities for Bangladeshi students in the United Kingdom.

Jennifer Dugan, Head of Qualifications at OxfordAQA, said she was delighted to see the positive impact of the organisation's educational approach on schools and students in Bangladesh.

“Oxford and AQA have a long and distinguished heritage in UK education. We are committed to preparing students in Bangladesh to become global citizens and equipping them for the future. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with school leaders, teachers, parents and students across the country,” she said.

The conference also featured an interactive panel discussion and collaborative dialogue sessions, providing school leaders with opportunities to share experiences, discuss common challenges and exchange practical ideas for improving educational standards.

The event highlighted the importance of international expertise and collaboration in strengthening school leadership and educational quality in Bangladesh.

Reaffirming OxfordAQA's commitment to supporting schools and students through world-class educational resources and long-term partnerships, Shaheen Reza, Country Director for Bangladesh and Nepal at OxfordAQA, emphasised the organisation's continued commitment to working closely with the country's education community.