On October 14, GEC Academy and 8billionideas have announced a strategic partnership to bring OxfordAQA International GCSE Global Skills Projects to students across China, Middle East and Asia, while creating a progressive Project-Based Learning (PBL) pathway connecting Global Skills Projects (GSP) with GEC Academy’s International EPQ (IEPQ) program.
Through this partnership, GEC Academy will support the introduction and development of Global Skills Projects in China and Asia. Developed by OxfordAQA International Qualifications and delivered by 8billionideas, Global Skills Projects provides students with opportunities to develop skills through real project work, while GEC Academy’s International EPQ pathway enables students to further advance these capabilities through independent research and academic inquiry. Building on this collaboration, 8billionideas will work with GEC to explore opportunities to expand into the Middle East and other international markets, while supporting the broader adoption of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in academic settings through partnerships with schools and education communities. For more information about Global Skills Projects, please visit https://gecx8billionideas.vercel.app/.
By connecting Global Skills Projects and International EPQ, the partnership creates a progressive learning pathway that supports students as they move from project-based exploration to independent research. At an earlier stage, students develop foundational skills in project planning, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through GSP. As they progress, they can further develop research skills, academic writing, critical thinking, and independent inquiry through IEPQ.
The partnership reflects a shared vision that students benefit from learning experiences where they can apply knowledge, explore meaningful questions, and create tangible outcomes. While traditional academic pathways often focus on demonstrating what students know, project-based learning allows students to demonstrate how they think, investigate, collaborate, and solve problems. For students, this pathway provides opportunities to build a portfolio of work that reflects their interests, abilities, and intellectual growth over time. For schools, it offers a structured approach to incorporating project-based and research-based learning into students’ academic development.
Looking ahead, GEC Academy and 8billionideas will work together to expand this pathway across China, Asia, and the Middle East through school partnerships, educator collaboration, and localized program development. By connecting Level 2 Global Skills Projects with Level 3 International EPQ, the partnership brings together two complementary stages of Project-Based Learning — helping students build confidence and practical project skills at an earlier stage before progressing toward more advanced independent research. Through this progression, the partnership aims to support schools, educators, and international education partners in creating continuous learning experiences that connect skills development, academic inquiry, and independent research, enabling more students to progress from project-based learning toward deeper academic exploration.