SUNNY VARKEY
Founder and Chairman
GEMS Education
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| Mr. Sunny Varkey |
A visionary education entrepreneur, Sunny Varkey has been a pioneer in developing an enterprising blend of high education standards, innovation and customer service.
In just thirty years, under Sunny Varkey’s leadership, GEMS Education is now the largest private kindergarten to grade 12 education provider in the world. He believes passionately that all children have a right to a quality education and is also working with governments to achieve this objective.
He actively promotes the concept of multi-cultural understanding and World Citizenship as an integral part of the educational programme across the network of GEMS schools.
Both his parents, who were educators arrived in Dubai in 1959 and started their first school for Indian expatriate children in 1968. A few years later, in 1980, Sunny Varkey took over from his parents.
Today, through his dynamic leadership and business acumen, GEMS Education has a global network of world class international schools that span in ten countries reaching 100,000 students from 125 different nationalities. GEMS Education employs 9,000 education professionals, specialists and staff. It is the largest employer of Indian and British teachers outside of their home country.
Recognising that quality education and healthcare are two key cornerstones in an individual’s quality of life, Sunny Varkey also has extensive interests in the healthcare sector. These interests include a private hospital and Welcare World Healthcare Systems Ltd; a firm specialized in health care management and consultancy. He built the first private hospital in the UAE and pioneered the development of the private healthcare sector.
In his ongoing mission to effect qualitative change in society, his philanthropic commitments have helped improve the lives of thousands.
The Varkey GEMS Foundation was established in India to promote the importance of education.
It is active in initiatives that support underprivileged children and teaching and learning reform.
The Foundation has established the Guruvar Awards which recognises the important role of teachers. Sunny Varkey has long believed that teachers are instrumental in producing the leaders of the future in all facets of society.
In the United Arab Emirates he has instigated an annual programme, Children for Children, where schools across the GEMS network raise funds for children in need.
He provides free and subsidised education to over 3,000 students every year through GEMS Cares for students from economically challenged families.
In 2007 Sunny Varkey pledged USD 30 million to Dubai Cares, a Dubai based charity focussed on providing education to primary school children.
In early 2009 Sunny Varkey was honoured by the Government of India for his contributions to Education with the Padmashri Award. The award is one of the highest civilian honours of the country. In 2002 he was named one of the top 50 Non-Resident Indians in the world.
He is also the recipient of several additional awards which include:
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The CEO Middle East Award for Corporate Social Responsibility awarded in 2007 in recognition for his considerable achievements in supporting charities over the last 30 years.
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The Global Indian Business Award presented at the Global Indian Business Summit in Singapore in 2007 recognising his achievements and contributions as an outstanding NRI and Indian entrepreneur.
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Most Outstanding Businessman of the Year by Asian Businessman Awards, Middle East for his achievements in education and healthcare.
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Listed as a finalist early in 2008, for the Ernst & Young Middle East Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
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The Rajiv Gandhi Award for Eminent Educationist, 2008 for his commitment to providing education to children of all socio economic backgrounds and for his commitment to raising standards in education.
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In 2001, in the UAE he received the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Welfare Prize
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