Mumbai: Come 2009, students studying in schools which follow the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) curriculum, will have more choices as the CIE is planning to introduce nine new courses in the year.

The CIE will introduce new courses in 2009 at the A (Advanced)-level as well as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) level.

This includes Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) at the A-level and IGCSE International Mathematics & 21st Century Science.

Abha Dharam Pal, Principal of Utpal Shanghvi School, Juhu, said, "These new courses will naturally give a wider choice to students. While we cannot do away with conventional subjects, these will give students a new outlook and groom them in techniques not available before".

Elaborating on GPR, Kevin Stannard, Director of International Curriculum Development, CIE, said that the two-year course will enable students to develop critical thinking and research skills.

"The topics in GPR will include ethics, economics, environment, technology, and politics and culture. GPR will also have an 'independent research component' for students", Stannard elaborated.

"The independent research report will focus on the ability to design, plan and manage a research project," Stannard added.