ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: Building on their brilliant performance, Pakistani boys and girls brought laurels to their country by outshining international students in the recent O and A level examinations of the University of Cambridge.

The University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), acknowledging the distinctions, presented awards to 45 high achieving students from Islamabad here on Thursday.

The High Achievers Award Ceremony, which was organised by the British Council Islamabad, recognised the phenomenal success of the young and talented Pakistani students by giving away awards to them under the categories of ‘Top in the World’, ‘Top in Pakistan’ and ‘Top in Islamabad’.

As many as 55 O level students from all over Pakistan topped in the world in June and November 2006 Cambridge examinations. Compared with three A level students who topped in 2005, nine A level students from Pakistan were among the high achievers in the world in 2006.

Students from Islamabad, who rose to heights in an individual Cambridge International O level examination were Ali Moeen Nawazish, (St Mary’s Academy) in Computer Studies, Myra Ejaz (Islamabad Preparatory School) in Economics, Sameena Najam Butt (Islamabad Headstart School) in History: World Affairs Since 1919, Alyna Ahmad, (Khaldunia High School) in English Literature, Farhan Shaukat, (St Mary’s Academy) in Mathematics, and Aqdas Nida (Beaconhouse School System) in Physics.

A level student Fahad Mahmood from The City School topped in the world in Physics and Thinking Skills and also topped in Islamabad with 3 and 4 AS levels. Fahad Mahmood also topped in Pakistan in Chemistry.

Two cash awards of 500 pounds each sponsored by Cambridge International Examination were given to Hira Yousaf for the top O level student in Islamabad and Syeda Saba Zehra Zaidi for the top A level student in Islamabad.

CIE Chief Executive Ann Puntis and Group Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment Simon Lebus presented the prizes to Islamabad’s exceptional students who achieved high marks.

The percentage of Pakistani students getting grades “D” and “C” was the same compared with students from almost 100 countries, said Ann Puntis.

“The picture changes when Pakistani students leave the rest of the world behind in scoring As and Bs. In 2006, 18 per cent non-Pakistani students got grades A and B compared with 26 per cent from Pakistan. This means that one in four Pakistani students achieved the highest grades.”

She said the brilliant results demonstrated the high quality teaching and commitment on part of both teachers and students.

“Students who have excelled in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting and Commerce have demonstrated potential for current market trends. And those who topped in Literature and Urdu and other such subjects demonstrated respect for educational values,” Ms Puntis said.

“Staggering nine A level top students are a fantastic achievement. It is the fantastically good record of teachings that bring unbeatable results,” said Simon Lebus.

This was followed by an equally spectacular award ceremony to recognise GCE, ACCA and University of London High Achievers.