Author profiles

Anna Smith is Education Manager at Cambridge International Examinations. She has almost twenty years’ experience as a teacher and leader, and was a principal of an international Sixth Form for five years.

After serving as Regional Director for Southeast Asia & Pacific for ten years, Ben Schmidt assumed the role of Global Director International Network within Cambridge International Education in 2022. He leads the regional and central teams who drive business development and support schools in the adoption of Cambridge qualifications and resources worldwide. Ben is a trained lawyer with a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in philosophy. Prior to joining Cambridge he worked in various management and consultancy roles in education, both in the UK and internationally. His first job was as a lecturer at the University of Zurich in Switzerland.

Carl is a Development Officer (Curriculum Support) at Cambridge International and joined the organisation in November 2015. He has a PhD in chemistry and has been developing teaching and learning resources (5–19) for both the UK and international markets for over five years.

Dominique is Head of Technical and Vocational Pathways and part of the Education Services team at Cambridge Assessment International Education.

Jack is the Online Professional Development Coordinator (courses) at Cambridge. His roles involves developing, improving and maintaining online courses. Jack's main hobby is video game development, focusing primarily on level design, game-play, and player psychology.

Jay Sharma is a respected figure in the field of education, currently serving as the Head of School at Harvest International School in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. With a career spanning over two decades, Jay has consistently proven himself as an outstanding educator and visionary in education. At the core of Jay's mission is his exceptional expertise in shaping education. As an educational leader, his main strength is in strategic leadership and forward-thinking planning, which he uses to create dynamic learning environments. Under his guidance, Harvest International School has transformed into a hub of academic excellence and innovative teaching methods. Jay's visionary curriculum development not only matches the school's values but also opens up new opportunities for students. But what sets Jay Sharma apart is his unwavering commitment to his students' academic journey. Despite the demands of his role as the Principal, Jay finds time to personally teach mathematics to his students, instilling in them a love for the subject and a pursuit of excellence. This dedication has yielded remarkable results, with students from Harvest International School securing placements in some of the finest national and international universities, often accompanied by prestigious scholarships. Jay Sharma's influence extends beyond the classroom. His role as a teacher trainer and advocate for professional development shows his commitment to improving teaching quality. His ability to inspire staff and students has created a culture of excellence within the school. Jay's strong interpersonal skills and talent for building relationships with parents, communities, and international organizations have elevated the school's reputation. In an ever-changing educational landscape, Jay Sharma's dedication to innovative teaching methods and emerging technologies makes him a true pioneer. He doesn't just see himself as an educator but as someone who can make a positive change in the world through education. Jay's journey, marked by academic achievements and an unwavering commitment to excellence, firmly establishes him as a distinguished educator and leader in education.

Jay Surti is one of the Group Managers within the Assessment Projects Group and is highly experienced with over twenty-five years of working in assessment. He leads a team of Assessment Managers producing assessments for primary and lower secondary Checkpoint as well as bespoke assessments for international clients. He also, as part of the senior leadership team in APG, contributes to strategic planning and decision making.

Rukaiya Salman graduated from Lahore University of Management Sciences in 2006, after which she became a certified Chartered Financial Analyst. She has also completed the Post Graduate Certificate of Education International (PGCEi) from the University of Nottingham in 2015. Her passion for the education sector is evident as she has worked in the sector for over 14 years in different teaching and leadership roles. Besides attending Cambridge Schools Conference as a delegate in 2018, 2019 and 2022, she has also conducted multiple workshops with educational professionals from numerous renowned educational institutions. Rukaiya was the lead curriculum developer for Cedar School. Rukaiya is a staunch proponent of EdTech and currently working with educators from the USA and UK to introduce innovative e-learning tools in Pakistan. She has recently met all of the criteria to be accredited as a Cambridge Programme Leader for the Cambridge International Certificate in Education Leadership. Rukaiya Salman was also the co-founder of CSTEC (Cedar School Technology and Education Conference) that took place at Cedar School in November 2021. Rukaiya was also a keynote speaker at Education 2.0 held in Dubai in March 2022. Rukaiya Salman has also spearheaded the Cedar School franchise as the Head of Cedar School System.

Our South East Asia and Pacific team are based in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and, New Zealand.

Before leading a research team in the area of mainstream international examinations, Stuart worked on a range of Cambridge ESOL products with specific skill responsibilities for Writing. He is particularly interested in demonstrating how Cambridge Assessment seeks to meet the demands of validity in their tests.

Tang Shiyun is student at Shenzhen College of International Education in China. She is one of the students that won the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards

Tristian is Director, Education at Cambridge Assessment International Education . He leads the development of our education strategy for schools, supporting Cambridge teachers and learners.

Uzma Shakeel is the Vice Principal at Generation’s School, Karachi, one of the most prominent Cambridge International schools in Karachi. Uzma has been serving in the education sector in Pakistan for the past 26 years.

Val Sismey is Head of Recognitions at Cambridge and is responsible for liaising with higher education institutions around the world. She has worked in international education and assessment for over 30 years and she graduated from the University of Leeds with an MA in Linguistics and ELT.