“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”- Nelson Mandela.
Source: Wikipedia
Education plays a crucial role in empowering individuals and communities and supporting evolving changes. With a similar vision, Sunny Varkey, a visionary education entrepreneur, aims to deliver quality education to future leaders through his GEMS Education institute. His journey spans over more than sixty years, beginning from his home to growing into a worldwide educational empire, where Sunny Varkey built an educational legacy.
Early Life of Sunny Varkey
Source: Entrepreneur
In 1957, Sunny Varkey was born in Kerala. Due to financial struggles in his family, he started selling fruits on the streets at the early age of 11 to support his family. With his explosion to early struggles, he developed business acumen and the value of perseverance. However, despite hardships, he was able to pursue education in Dubai and later in the U.K., where he developed an understanding of the global education system.
Establishing GEMS
In 1959, Sunny’s parents, KS and Mariamma Varkey, shifted to Dubai in search of a better life for their family. There, they noticed the growing demand for quality English-language education and thus started teaching from their home. With a successful beginning, they opened ‘Our Own English High School’ in Dubai.
After exploring various business ventures, in 1980, Sunny took control of his parents’ school and then expanded it to GEMS Education to provide quality schooling to students irrespective of their backgrounds.
Global Education Empire
Sunny aimed to provide an affordable and high-quality education to children. Starting with a single school, the GEMS quickly expanded while offering Indian, British, American, and IB curricula, so that every child has access to an education suitable to their needs and aspirations. With a focus on developing qualities like critical thinking, leadership, and adaptability among the students, GEMS Education quickly became the leader in the rapidly evolving education landscape.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, GEMS Education also ensured that students’ education didn’t get affected by it; therefore quickly shifted to online learning mode. They collaborated with EdTech companies so that resources were provided to support teachers and students during the global crisis. This shows the unwavering commitment of Sunny’s contribution to a digital future.
Today, GEMS is recognised as the largest operator of private kindergarten to grade 12 schools in the world. Under Sunny’s leadership, it has developed as a global network including over 80 schools that educate over 1,70,000 students across 170 nationalities. To bridge cultural gaps and embrace international understanding, they are spread across various countries like the UAE, the UK, the USA, India, and Singapore.
Philanthropic Arm of GEMS: Varkey Foundation
Source: UNESCO
In 2012, Sunny was appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education Partnerships, then as a global advocate for education reform for his visionary approach. He has also launched different initiatives to improve teaching standards and support schools, especially in economically weaker regions. His most impactful initiative is the “Global Teacher Prize,” which awards $1 million a year to a remarkable educator who has made an impactful influence on both the community and their students. This demonstrates Sunny’s dedication to providing high-quality instruction to influence future generations.
Awards and Recognitions
- In 2007, GEMS Education was recognised with the Global Indian Business Award.
- The Indian Government honoured Sunny with the Padma Shri Award in 2009
- Sunny was recognised as the Middle East Excellence CEO of the Year for knowledge development and education partnerships in 2012.
- Sunny was also recognised as the Education Business Leader of the Year at the Gulf Business Industry Awards 2012.
- In 2018, Sunny was honoured with the Entrepreneur of the Year award at The Asian Awards.
Conclusion
Sunny’s journey from his home to the largest private education empire in the world is a testament to his vision, determination, and purpose-driven leadership. His legacy extends beyond the educational institutions he has established; it also includes the lives he has influenced to cultivate future change makers through his Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education. Along with his vision for a better, more inclusive educational system, Sunny continues to be a ray of hope for millions of people around the world with his unwavering focus on innovation and growth.
