The education sector is undergoing significant transformations in an increasingly interconnected and digitalized world. The assessment and examination processes, critical components of educational systems, must evolve to meet the demands of the 21st century. The Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) is committed to leading this evolution with its mandate to standardize examinations, assessments, and evaluations at the secondary and higher secondary levels. Following the success of its inaugural conference in December 2023, the IBCC is organizing its 2^nd Annual Conference to foster dialogue, share innovations, and explore the future of assessment and examination systems in education. The conference will focus on leveraging technological advancements to enhance the integrity, accessibility, and effectiveness of educational assessments in Pakistan.

Objectives

• Explore innovative approaches to standardizing assessments and examinations while ensuring alignment with international best practices
• Discuss the role of emerging technologies, such as AI, in transforming the assessment and examination landscape
• Enhance collaboration between national and international education bodies, fostering knowledge-sharing and capacity-building
• Empower educators, assessors, and policymakers with the tools and knowledge to implement modern assessment techniques effectively
• Develop actionable policy recommendations for improving examination and assessment systems at the national level

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:

1. Paper Format

• File Format: Submit your full paper in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.
• Font: Use Times New Roman, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing.
• Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Headings: Use a consistent style for headings and subheadings (e.g., bold for primary headings and italics for secondary headings).
• Referencing Style: Follow the APA (7th edition) referencing style for in-text citations and the reference list.
• Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the bottom-right corner of each page.

2. Structure of the Paper

Papers should follow the general structure below:

• Title Page: Paper title, author(s) information, and affiliations.
• Abstract: 200-300 words summary with 4-6 keywords.
• Introduction: Brief background, problem statement, and the purpose of the study.
• Literature Review: Overview of relevant research, gaps, and positioning of the study.
• Research Methodology: Explain the research design, sampling, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.
• Findings/Results: Present the key results of the study, supported by data, figures, or tables where appropriate.
• Discussion: Interpret the results and relate them to the research questions or hypotheses.
• Conclusion and Recommendations: Summarize the key findings and suggest practical implications or future research directions.
• References: Full list of references in APA format.

3. Submission Process

• All full paper submissions must be made through the EasyChair portal by the submission deadline.
• Papers must be submitted via the designated EasyChair link (to be provided).
• Authors must create an EasyChair account or log in using an existing account to submit their papers.
• Once submitted, the paper cannot be edited. Ensure that all details are correct before submission.

4. Review Process

• All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process. Therefore, authors must ensure that the manuscript does not contain any identifying information.
• Authors will be notified of the acceptance, rejection, or request for revisions within 4-6 weeks of submission.
• Accepted papers will be scheduled for oral or poster presentations during the conference.

List of Topics

• Main Theme

Building a Brighter Future: The Role of Technology in Assessment

• Sub-Themes

  Sub Theme 1: Technological Innovations in Assessment

• Exploring AI and Machine Learning in educational assessments
• Data analytics for personalized learning assessments
• Gamification and interactive assessment along with digital portfolios for assessment

• Sub Theme 2: Best Practices in Examination and Assessment in Pakistan & Globally

• Case studies of successful national and international assessment models
• Lessons learned from education systems in standardizing examinations
• Enhancing cross-border recognition of qualifications through standardized assessments

• Sub Theme 3: Capacity Building for Educators and Assessors

• Gap analysis of the deficient areas with indigenous examples and the way forward
• Training educators in modern assessment techniques
• Developing the skills of paper setters, assessors, and examination staff
• Addressing challenges in implementing new technologies in assessments

• Sub Theme 4: Equity, Accessibility and Accountability in Assessments

• Ensuring assessments are inclusive and accessible to all students
• Using technology to bridge the gap between urban and rural education
• Strategies for accommodating diverse learning needs in standardized examinations

Committees

Program Committee

• Dr Sajid Ali Yousuf Zai
• Dr Shahzad Gill 
• Mr Usman

Invited Speakers

• Prof Dr XYZ 1
• Prof Dr ABC 2
• Prof Dr PRQ 3

Publication

BTIA 2024 proceedings will be published in IBCC Conference proceedings.

Venue

The conference will be held in Auditorium, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Main Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to conference@ibcc.gov.pk