“The number of students applying to the ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in Pakistan is encouraging. It shows that the country is striving to maintain quality of accountancy studies,” British Council Examinations Director Murray Keeler said on Thursday.
He was speaking at ceremony organised by the ACCA Pakistan to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of 15 students who clinched top positions in December 2012 and June 2013 Foundation Diploma and ACCA examinations.
The ceremony was attended by British Council Punjab Director Richard Weyers who also gave away certificates to global and national high achievers.
Two students from Lahore who got top positions globally were also awarded prizes. Sharoze Ali scored the first position in ACCA exam of Corporate and Business Law in June 2013 and Muhammad Fahad Anwar scored the first place in ACCA exams Corporate Reporting in December 2012.
Speakers at the event said over 195,000 students had had the ACCA exams from all over the world. Some 55,000 students had taken computer-based exams.
Keeler said, “The students’ achievements show the dedication and hard work of their teachers and parents.”
Arif Masood, head of ACCA Pakistan, said, “I didn’t do well in my papers and was not a high achiever like you but I have been working hard which brought me where I am today.”
He said the students should look to small and medium enterprises (SME) for opportunities.
He said their work would benefit the small businesses.
He said the ACCA was signing a memorandum of understanding with the government to open new avenues for students.
Mahira Hamid, top position holder for P4 and top affiliate (ranked 8th world wide) spoke of her experience.
The keynote address was made by Coca-Cola Beverages Limited Financial Controller Muhammad Ahmad.
British Council projects in the Punjab
Talking to The Express Tribune, Weyers said the British Council would re-open its library by the end of year 2014 with added features.
He said measures were being taken to ensure safety and security of the library.
He said the British Council was also working with the government to train teachers.
He said the project for improving English skills of teachers would cost 1 million pounds.
He said some 300,000 teachers would be trained from 36 districts of the Punjab by 2018 in the five-year programme.
He said some 60,000 teachers had been trained so far.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.