Carolyn Blackmore, Chief Executive of both organisations, told The PIE News that the Kazakhstan leg of the mission would be a return to the country for QE. “We like to return to countries that we have visited before, rather than just go once,” she explained. “Kazakhstan is on the map for all types of education provider that we represent. It has oil & gas requirements, demand for junior provision and education agents in the country are becoming increasingly professionalised.”

As for Baku in Azerbaijan, this leg of the mission represented an opportunity for QE and QEd members to visit a country they they might not organise on their own.

“Kazakhstan is on the map for all types of education provider that we represent”

“Baku is a bit of an unknown quantity,” said Blackmore. “That is why members like to go with us, because we do the groundwork for them on this sort of trip.”

She added that non-member schools were also able to participate in the missions if they were a member of either organisation’s Guest Scheme.

Mark Wagner, Owner and Director of St George’s International, said he had QE because of the reputation that all members – across eight countries – share.

“For us, becoming a QE school means joining a worldwide group of the best English language schools who all care about education and the individual needs of their students – we are very proud to have been asked to join this prestigious organisation,” he said.