Nobel laureate Prof Amartya Sen addressed the event and took part in a panel discussion with historian and author Nick Robins, London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi and broadcaster Huma Price.

Chaired by Channel 4 News Business Editor Faisal Islam, the event brought together members of the Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian communities in London to look at how extremism can be addressed in South Asian Communities through education.

The new Cambridge IGCSE Bangladesh Studies syllabuses have been developed by the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) in consultation with teachers in Bangladesh. They introduce students to the country's history, culture, geography, environment and development.

Students will learn about their rich heritage and cultural influences, and about events which have shaped national identity.

Through their studies, students will also gain a deeper understanding of underlying skills and concepts, and examine different interpretations of historical events.

The first examinations for Cambridge IGCSE Bangladesh Studies will take place next year.

Murad Qureshi said, "I strongly believe that offering pupils the opportunity to study these IGCSEs will help to strength community cohesion, tackle extremism in South Asian Communities and raise aspirations among the South Asian youngsters in the UK."

CIE's Chief Executive Ann Puntis said, "We would be delighted to make these Cambridge IGCSEs available to students in Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani communities here in the UK. Around the world, schools find that these subjects add something very valuable to the curriculum."