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'''Sunny Varkey''' (born 9 April 1957)<ref name="International Indian">McNicholas, Mona Parikh; Raj, Frank. [http://www.theinternationalindian.com/pdfs/15.5.pdf "Sunny Varkey: Profit & Excellence In Education Go Hand In Hand"]. ''The International Indian''. 2008: Issue 5, Volume 15.5. pp. 56–60.</ref><ref>[https://opengovuk.com/company/07774287 "The Varkey Foundation"]. ''OpenGovUK.com''. [[Companies House]]. Retrieved 16 August 2019</ref> is an Indian businessperson based in [[Dubai]]. He is founder and executive chairman of the educational management firm [[GEMS Education]].<ref name=forbespro>[https://www.forbes.com/profile/sunny-varkey/ Sunny Varkey] – Profile at ''[[Forbes]]''.</ref><ref name=list>[http://www.gemseducation.com/our-schools/list-of-our-schools List of Our Schools]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref>He is also chairman of the Varkey Group and founder of the nonprofot [[Varkey Foundation]].
'''Sunny Varkey''' (born 9 April 1957)<ref name="International Indian">McNicholas, Mona Parikh; Raj, Frank. [http://www.theinternationalindian.com/pdfs/15.5.pdf "Sunny Varkey: Profit & Excellence In Education Go Hand In Hand"]. ''The International Indian''. 2008: Issue 5, Volume 15.5. pp. 56–60.</ref><ref>[https://opengovuk.com/company/07774287 "The Varkey Foundation"]. ''OpenGovUK.com''. [[Companies House]]. Retrieved 16 August 2019</ref> is an Indian education entrepreneur and philanthropist based in [[Dubai]]. He is the founder and executive chairman of the global advisory and educational management firm [[GEMS Education]], which is the largest operator of private kindergarten-to-grade-12 schools in the world, with a network of over 80 schools in over a dozen countries.<ref name=forbespro>[https://www.forbes.com/profile/sunny-varkey/ Sunny Varkey] – Profile at ''[[Forbes]]''.</ref><ref name=list>[http://www.gemseducation.com/our-schools/list-of-our-schools List of Our Schools]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref>

He is also the chairman of the umbrella business organisation the Varkey Group, and the founder and trustee of the philanthropic [[Varkey Foundation]]. As of 2012, Varkey is also a [[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]].<ref name=goodwill>[http://www.unesco.org/new/en/goodwill-ambassadors/sunny-varkey/ Goodwill Ambassadors – Sunny Varkey]. ''UNESCO.org''. Retrieved 13 September 2017.</ref> And in June 2015, Varkey committed to [[The Giving Pledge]], vowing to donate at least half of his money to philanthropic causes over his lifetime. He is the first education entrepreneur to join the pledge.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/education-32965771|title=Education entrepreneur joins Gates giving pledge|last=Coughlan|first=Sean|date=2015-06-02|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-04-20|language=en-GB}}</ref>

According to Forbes, Varkey is one of India's richest billionaires with a net worth of $3.5 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/india-billionaires/|title=India’s 100 Richest|newspaper=Forbes|accessdate=7 November 2024 | date=9 October 2024}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Varkey was born in [[Ranni, Kerala|Ranni]], [[Kerala]], [[India]] in 1957.<ref name="International Indian"/> His father, K. S. Varkey, and mother, Mariamma, were [[Saint Thomas Christians|Kerala Syrian Christian]]s, and educators.<ref name=woodward /><ref name=hamdan>Hamdan, Sara. [http://issuu.com/global-citizen/docs/global-citizen-09 "Building an Education Empire"]. ''Global Citizen''. July/August 2012.</ref> The family moved to [[Dubai]] in 1959, when the emirate was still very undeveloped.<ref name=education>[http://www.nriinternet.com/MIDDLE%20EAST/Dubai/Sunny_Varkey/4_Education_profit%20.htm "Education for profit in the Arab world"]. United Arab Emirates: ''NRI Internet''. 7 December 2004.</ref> His father worked for British Bank of the Middle East (now called [[HSBC Bank Middle East]]), and both of his parents taught English to local Arabs, including members of the royal family.<ref name=hamdan /><ref name=bhatia /><ref name=peschardt>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT5_ppglB90 ''Peschardt's Business People'' – Segment: Sunny Varkey]. ''[[Peschardt's People]]''. [[BBC TV]]. 9 April 2010.</ref> At the age of four, Sunny was sent back to Kerala to attend [[Infant Jesus Anglo-Indian Boys' School,]] a Catholic [[boarding school]] in [[Kollam]] city.<ref>[http://www.ijhss.org/school.php "PRODUCING INTELLECTUAL ELITES BY PROVIDING JOYFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE"]. 24 July 2015.</ref><ref name=kerr>Kerr, Simeon. [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3eee5a58-d755-11e2-8279-00144feab7de.html "School rooms for everyone"]. ''[[Financial Times]]''. 18 June 2013.</ref> When he was 11 years old, he sold fruit on the side of the road to make a little extra money.<ref name=hamdan />
Varkey was born in [[Ranni, Kerala|Ranni]], [[Kerala]], [[India]] in 1957.<ref name="International Indian"/> His father, K. S. Varkey, and mother, Mariamma, were [[Saint Thomas Christians|Kerala Syrian Christian]]s, and educators.<ref name=woodward /><ref name=hamdan>Hamdan, Sara. [http://issuu.com/global-citizen/docs/global-citizen-09 "Building an Education Empire"]. ''Global Citizen''. July/August 2012.</ref> The family moved to [[Dubai]] in 1959, when the emirate was still very undeveloped.<ref name=education>[http://www.nriinternet.com/MIDDLE%20EAST/Dubai/Sunny_Varkey/4_Education_profit%20.htm "Education for profit in the Arab world"]. United Arab Emirates: ''NRI Internet''. 7 December 2004.</ref> His father worked for British Bank of the Middle East (now called [[HSBC Bank Middle East]]), and both of his parents taught English to local Arabs, including members of the royal family.<ref name=hamdan /><ref name=bhatia /><ref name=peschardt>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT5_ppglB90 ''Peschardt's Business People'' – Segment: Sunny Varkey]. ''[[Peschardt's People]]''. [[BBC TV]]. 9 April 2010.</ref>


He and his elder sister returned to Dubai in 1970,<ref name="hui" /><ref name="guttenplan" /> and Sunny completed his [[O-Levels]] at [[St. Mary's Catholic High School, Dubai, UAE|St. Mary's Catholic High School]].<ref name="bhatia" /><ref name="hui">Hui, Kok Xing. [http://www.todayonline.com/daily-focus/people/st-regis-perspectives/grad-school-hard-knocks?singlepage=true "Grad of the school of hard knocks"]. ''[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]]''. 14 September 2013.</ref> He pursued his [[A-Levels]] at [[Bembridge School]] in the UK for a year,<ref name="bhatia">Bhatia, Asha. [http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/early-days-of-varkey-schools-it-was-a-management-challenge-1.410266 "Early days of Varkey schools: it was a management challenge"]. ''[[Gulf News]]''. 9 March 2001.</ref><ref name="et2012">Vijayakumar, Sanjay. [http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-06/news/33650158_1_sunny-varkey-everonn-dubai "Sunny Varkey banks on Centum Learning to revive India business"]. ''[[The Economic Times]]''. 6 September 2012.</ref> and completed his A-Levels in Dubai at the [[British Council]].<ref name="hui" />
At the age of four, Sunny was sent back to Kerala to attend Infant Jesus Anglo-Indian Boys' School, a Catholic [[boarding school]] in [[Kollam]] city.<ref>[http://www.ijhss.org/school.php "PRODUCING INTELLECTUAL ELITES BY PROVIDING JOYFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE"]. 24 July 2015.</ref><ref name=kerr>Kerr, Simeon. [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3eee5a58-d755-11e2-8279-00144feab7de.html "School rooms for everyone"]. ''[[Financial Times]]''. 18 June 2013.</ref> When he was 11 years old, he sold fruit on the side of the road to make a little extra money.<ref name=hamdan /> He and his elder sister returned to Dubai in 1970,<ref name=hui /><ref name=guttenplan /> and Sunny completed his [[O-Levels]] at [[St. Mary's Catholic High School, Dubai, UAE|St. Mary's Catholic High School]].<ref name=bhatia /><ref name=hui>Hui, Kok Xing. [http://www.todayonline.com/daily-focus/people/st-regis-perspectives/grad-school-hard-knocks?singlepage=true "Grad of the school of hard knocks"]. ''[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]]''. 14 September 2013.</ref> He pursued his [[A-Levels]] at [[Bembridge School]] in the UK for a year,<ref name=bhatia>Bhatia, Asha. [http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/early-days-of-varkey-schools-it-was-a-management-challenge-1.410266 "Early days of Varkey schools: it was a management challenge"]. ''[[Gulf News]]''. 9 March 2001.</ref><ref name=et2012>Vijayakumar, Sanjay. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130301065355/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-06/news/33650158_1_sunny-varkey-everonn-dubai "Sunny Varkey banks on Centum Learning to revive India business"]. ''[[The Economic Times]]''. 6 September 2012.</ref> and completed his A-Levels in Dubai at the [[British Council]].<ref name=hui />


==Career==
==Career==


===GEMS education===
===GEMS Education===
⚫
Varkey's parents founded [[Our Own English High School]] in Dubai in 1968.<ref name=education /><ref name=guttenplan>Guttenplan, D. D. [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/world/europe/entrepreneur-seeks-to-offer-high-quality-education-at-fraction-of-cost.html?_r=0 "Entrepreneur Seeks to Offer High-Quality Education at Fraction of Cost"]. ''[[New York Times]]''. 26 May 2013.</ref> Varkey returned to Dubai in 1977,<ref name=bhatia /> and his employment included work at [[Standard Chartered]] bank,<ref name="International Indian"/> opening a small trading company and a maintenance company, becoming part owner of the Dubai Plaza Hotel, and entering the healthcare industry.<ref name=woodward>Woodward, Will. [https://www.theguardian.com/education/2005/dec/13/schools.newschools "Business class"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. 12 December 2005.</ref><ref name=hamdan /><ref name=education /><ref name=bhatia /><ref name=kerr />


⚫
When in 1980 local authorities insisted that his parents' Our Own English High School be housed in a purpose-built facility, Varkey took over the operation of the school, which had under 400 students at the time.<ref name=hamdan /> He dropped his other businesses, expanded the school, and added new schools as well.<ref name=bhatia /><ref name=kerr /><ref name=hui /> The education situation in Dubai was ripe for expansion, since local schools were only for native Arabs, and the children of the ever-increasing number of expats needed education of their own.<ref name=hui /><ref name=guttenplan /> Varkey opened Indian, Pakistani, and British schools,<ref name=guttenplan /> and offered education under the different curricula: Indian ([[Central Board of Secondary Education|CBSE]] and [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education|ICSE]]), U.S., British, and later [[International Baccalaureate]].<ref name=et2012 /><ref name=lewis>Lewis, Kathryn. [http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/education/the-man-who-built-an-education-empire#full "The man who built an education empire"]. ''[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]''. 13 September 2008.</ref><ref name=sharif>Sharif, Arif. [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-27/world-s-biggest-private-school-operator-gems-seeks-1-billion.html "World’s Biggest Private School Operator GEMS Seeks $1 Billion"]. ''[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]''. 27 March 2013.</ref>
====History====
⚫
The discovery of oil in Dubai in 1966 brought in many foreign workers, including many from the [[Indian subcontinent]]; with the increased demand for an English-language education for the children of Indian expatriates, Varkey's parents founded [[Our Own English High School]] in Dubai in 1968.<ref name=education /><ref name=guttenplan>Guttenplan, D. D. [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/world/europe/entrepreneur-seeks-to-offer-high-quality-education-at-fraction-of-cost.html?_r=0 "Entrepreneur Seeks to Offer High-Quality Education at Fraction of Cost"]. ''[[New York Times]]''. 26 May 2013.</ref> Varkey returned to Dubai in 1977,<ref name=bhatia /> and his employment included work at [[Standard Chartered]] bank,<ref name="International Indian"/> opening a small trading company and a maintenance company, becoming part owner of the Dubai Plaza Hotel, and entering the healthcare industry.<ref name=woodward>Woodward, Will. [https://www.theguardian.com/education/2005/dec/13/schools.newschools "Business class"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. 12 December 2005.</ref><ref name=hamdan /><ref name=education /><ref name=bhatia /><ref name=kerr />


⚫
In 2000 Varkey established [[GEMS Education|Global Education Management Systems]] (GEMS), an advisory and educational management firm, in advance of his worldwide overseas expansion.<ref name=et2004>Zachariahs, Candice. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140812200701/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-09-24/news/27383963_1_global-education-management-systems-varkey-group-sunny-varkey "The McSchool revolution"]. ''[[The Economic Times]]''. 24 September 2004.</ref> In 2003, he began opening GEMS schools in England and elsewhere.<ref name=woodward /><ref name=frills>[http://nriinternet.com/MIDDLE%20EAST/Dubai/Sunny_Varkey/3_No-Frills%20.htm "No-Frills Public Schools: {{sic|Indepe|ndants'|nolink=y}} Day"]. ''NRI Internet''. 22 January 2005.</ref>
⚫
When in 1980 local authorities insisted that his parents' Our Own English High School be housed in a purpose-built facility, Varkey took over the operation of the school, which had under 400 students at the time.<ref name=hamdan /> He soon dropped his other businesses, expanded the school, and added new schools as well.<ref name=bhatia /><ref name=kerr /><ref name=hui /> The education situation in Dubai was ripe for expansion, since local schools were only for native Arabs, and the children of the ever-increasing number of expats needed education of their own.<ref name=hui /><ref name=guttenplan /> Varkey opened Indian, Pakistani, and British schools,<ref name=guttenplan /> and offered education under the different curricula: Indian ([[Central Board of Secondary Education|CBSE]] and [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education|ICSE]]), U.S., British, and later [[International Baccalaureate]].<ref name=et2012 /><ref name=lewis>Lewis, Kathryn. [http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/education/the-man-who-built-an-education-empire#full "The man who built an education empire"]. ''[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]''. 13 September 2008.</ref><ref name=sharif>Sharif, Arif. [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-27/world-s-biggest-private-school-operator-gems-seeks-1-billion.html "World’s Biggest Private School Operator GEMS Seeks $1 Billion"]. ''[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]''. 27 March 2013.</ref>


⚫
===Varkey Foundation===
⚫
After creating a strong network of schools in the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf]], in 2000 Varkey established [[GEMS Education|Global Education Management Systems]] (GEMS), an educational management firm.<ref name=et2004>Zachariahs, Candice. [http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-09-24/news/27383963_1_global-education-management-systems-varkey-group-sunny-varkey "The McSchool revolution"]. ''[[The Economic Times]]''. 24 September 2004.</ref> In 2003, he began opening GEMS schools in England, beginning with Sherborne House in Hampshire and Bury Lawn in Milton Keynes. Soon afterwards, he took over [[Sherfield School]] in Hampshire, and purchased another 10 schools in England, mainly in the north.<ref name=woodward /><ref name=frills>[http://nriinternet.com/MIDDLE%20EAST/Dubai/Sunny_Varkey/3_No-Frills%20.htm "No-Frills Public Schools: {{sic|Indepe|ndants'|nolink=y}} Day"]. ''NRI Internet''. 22 January 2005.</ref>
In December 2010, Varkey consolidated and structured his various donations and charitable initiatives by creating the [[Varkey Foundation]] (initially the Varkey GEMS Foundation) as the philanthropic arm of GEMS. The foundation intends to impact 100 impoverished children for every child enrolled at GEMS schools, via enrolment and education-access initiatives, worldwide teacher training programs, advocacy campaigns, and physical projects such as building classrooms, schools, and learning centres.<ref name=hamdan /><ref>[https://www.varkeygemsfoundation.org/projects Varkey Foundation – Projects] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109012526/https://www.varkeygemsfoundation.org/projects |date=9 November 2014 }}. ''VarkeyFoundation.org''.</ref><ref>[http://www.gemseducation.com/why-a-gems-education/schools-for-good/ "Schools for good"]. ''GEMSeducation.com''. Retrieved 8 June 2015.</ref> [[Bill Clinton]] launched the foundation.<ref name=hamdan /><ref name=kerr /><ref>George, Joseph. [http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/bill-clinton-launches-varkey-gems-foundation-2010-12-13-1.328657 "Bill Clinton launches Varkey GEMS Foundation"]. ''[[Emirates 24/7]]''. 13 December 2010.</ref>


⚫
[[File:MacriconSunnyVarkey.jpg|thumb|Argentine president [[Mauricio Macri]] met with Varkey (third from left) at the [[World Economic Forum]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 January 2016 |title=President Macri begins activities in Davos |url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/207105/president-macri-begins-activities-in-davos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122093555/http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/207105/president-macri-begins-activities-in-davos |archive-date=22 January 2016 |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Buenos Aires Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=19 January 2016 |title=Macri steps onto Davos stage |url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/207023/macri-steps-onto-davos-stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120195239/http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/207023/macri-steps-onto-davos-stage |archive-date=20 January 2016 |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Buenos Aires Herald}}</ref>]]
In 2004, Varkey's GEMS group opened its first schools in India.<ref name=hamdan /> Varkey continued to add schools in the subcontinent, and also purchased a controlling interest in the India-based Everonn Education, which the Varkey Group and GEMS manage.<ref name=et2012 /><ref>[http://www.everonn.com/about_everonn.html About Everonn]. ''Everonn.com''.</ref> GEMS subsequently opened schools in many other countries.<ref>[http://www.gemseducation.com/gems-schools GEMS Education – Find a school]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref>
⚫
In March 2011, the foundation partnered with [[UNESCO]] for [[girls' education]] in Lesotho and [[Kenya]], and donated $1,000,000 to the effort.<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/factsheets_ed/ke_EDFactSheet.pdf "UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education – One Year On"]. [[UNESCO]]. May 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/partners-donors/the-actions/education/education-to-bolster-girls-and-womens-education-and-teacher-training/ "UNESCO partners with GEMS Education to bolster Girls’ and women’s education and teacher training"]. [[UNESCO]] – Partners & Donors.</ref> In September 2011, a further $1 million was pledged with UNESCO to train 10,000 school principals in India, Ghana, and Kenya.<ref name=hamdan /><ref>Anderson, Jenny. [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/22/world/unesco-in-partnership-to-train-school-principals-in-3-nations.html?_r=0 "Unesco in Partnership to Train School Principals in 3 Nations"]. ''[[New York Times]]''. 22 September 2011.</ref> In 2014, the foundation's Teacher Training Programme committed to train 250,000 teachers within 10 years in under-served communities across the world.<ref>[http://www.zawya.com/story/Dubai_Cares_partners_with_Varkey_GEMS_Foundation_to_train_and_develop_teachers_across_the_developing_world-ZAWYA20140316130416/ "Dubai Cares partners with Varkey GEMS Foundation to train and develop teachers across the developing world"]. ''[[Zawya]]''. 16 March 2014.</ref>


In 2013, the Varkey Foundation helped launch the annual Global Education and Skills Forum, in partnership with UNESCO and the U.A.E. Ministry of Education.<ref>Buller, Alice. [http://gulfbusiness.com/2013/07/full-excusive-interview-gems-chairman-sunny-varkey-talks-profits-and-philanthropy "Exclusive Interview: GEMS Chairman Sunny Varkey Talks Profits And Philanthropy"]. ''[[Gulf Business]]''. 3 July 2013.</ref> Bill Clinton gave the inaugural keynote address.<ref>Prois, Jessica. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/15/bill-clinton-global-education-and-skills-forum_n_2883435.html "Bill Clinton: Educating Underserved Girls Is 'Deeply Human Drama' Of This Century"]. ''[[Huffington Post]]''. 15 March 2013.</ref> At the second annual forum in March 2014, Varkey announced the [[Global Teacher Prize]], a $1 million award to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession, to be presented at the third annual GESF in 2015.<ref>Shapiro, Jordan. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2014/03/22/now-theres-a-davos-of-education-and-a-1-million-nobel-prize-for-teachers/ "Now There's A Davos Of Education And A $1 Million 'Nobel Prize' For Teachers"]. ''[[Forbes]]''. 22 March 2014.</ref>
====Structure and philosophy====
Enrollment at GEMS schools is available in three categories (premium, mid-range and budget).<ref name=woodward /><ref name=hamdan /><ref name="International Indian"/> The more expensive schools have more spacious grounds and amenities such as golf and tennis facilities, and smaller class sizes.<ref name=guttenplan /><ref name=chalk>[http://www.economist.com/node/2628740 "Chalk, talk and customer service"]. ''[[The Economist]]''. 29 April 2004.</ref> Educational quality is maintained in the budget-range schools by using excellent teachers, by efficiency and economisation on time and space, and by capitalising on economies of scale: the huge network of GEMS schools shares resources and information and provides training to teachers across the whole system.<ref name=woodward /><ref name=lewis /><ref name=chalk /> When entering into new markets GEMS schools also benefit from local partners who understand local conditions; the partners provide local knowledge that may not be obvious through standard market research.<ref name=kerr />


⚫
===Varkey Group===
GEMS schools aim to offer a holistic education,<ref name=woodward /> and to instill students with values of altruism and philanthropy. GEMS Education is geared to form graduates who are forward-thinking global citizens with universal values and leadership qualities.<ref name=hamdan /><ref name=hui /> For GEMS students, Varkey stresses an ideology and atmosphere of multiculturalism, and the importance of giving back to others both locally and globally.<ref name=hamdan /><ref name=peschardt />
Varkey Group is the umbrella organisation covering GEMS Education and Varkey's other businesses, including healthcare and, previously, construction.<ref>[http://www.mediclinic.ae/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=334 "Mediclinic to Acquire Remaining Interests in EHL"]. ''Mediclinic.ae''. 27 August 2012.</ref> Varkey founded the company in 1979, and it is based in Dubai, with additional offices in the UK, U.S., and India.<ref>[https://archive.today/20140406051423/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=22932875 Varkey Group Limited] – Company Overview at ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]''.</ref>


⚫
In 1984 Varkey founded Welcare, a healthcare consultancy and management venture which developed a number of hospitals and clinics.<ref name=kerr /><ref name=ehl>[http://fmc-oman.com/PageContent.aspx?pageid=547&groupid=1 EHL Management Services]. First Medical Centre.</ref> A controlling interest in Emirates Healthcare, the Varkey Group's umbrella company which held Welcare, was purchased by [[Mediclinic International]] in 2012.<ref name=kerr /><ref name=ehl /><ref>Kahn, Tamar. [http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/health/2012/08/27/mediclinic-to-buy-out-dubai-minorities "Mediclinic to buy out Dubai minorities"]. ''[[Business Day (South Africa)|Business Day]]''. 27 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2009/01/27/government-of-india-honours-sunny-varkey-with-padmashri-award/ "Government of India Honours Sunny Varkey with Padmashri Award"]. ''Dubai Chronicle''. 27 January 2009.</ref> The sale of his healthcare sector allowed Varkey to focus on education and educational philanthropy.<ref name=hamdan /><ref name=kerr /><ref>[http://www.meed.com/varkey-group-exits-hospital-business-to-focus-on-education/3148520.article "Varkey Group exits hospital business to focus on education"]. ''[[MEED]]''. 28 August 2012.</ref>
====GEMS Education Solutions====
GEMS has two divisions: schools and educational services.<ref>Abrioux, Marc and Jill Rutherford. [https://books.google.com/books?id=D1UGVo8AI2AC&pg=PT128 ''Introducing the IB Diploma Programme'']. [[Cambridge University Press]], 2013. p. 118.</ref> GEMS Education Solutions is the consultancy arm of GEMS Education, providing educational services and advice, and it was established in 2011.<ref>[http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/gems-education-solutions GEMS Education Solutions Limited]. ''CompaniesintheUK.co.uk''.</ref> It works with governments and non-profits, and public and private clients, to transform the quality of global education and skills provision, using the resources of GEMS' more than 50 years of experience in the field.<ref name=forbespro /><ref name=hui /><ref name=block>Rai, Saritha. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/saritharai/2014/04/02/chalk-a-block/ "Billionaire Education Entrepreneur Varkey Takes His Dubai School Chain Worldwide"]. ''[[Forbes]]''. 2 April 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.gemseducation.com/solutions/about-us About GEMS Education Solutions]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref>

One of GEMS Education Solutions' projects is assisting and advising the state school system in the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/business-21983193 "Gulf wealth funding state education"]. (video) ''[[BBC News]]''. 30 March 2013.</ref> In [[Ghana]], it implements MGCubed – Making Ghana Girls Great – which equips two classrooms in each Ghanaian primary school with a computer, projector, satellite modem, and solar panels, creating an interactive distance-learning platform to deliver both formal in-school teaching and informal after-school training.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/309611/GEC-project-profiles-April14b.pdf Project profiles]. ''Girls' Education Challenge''. April 2014. p. 13.</ref><ref>[http://www.iatiregistry.org/publisher/about/mgcubed MGCubed – GEMS Education Solutions]. International Aid Transparency Initiative.</ref><ref>[http://www.poverty-action.org/project/1069 "After-School Girls Empowerment and Satellite-Transmitted Classes in Ghana"]. ''Innovations for Poverty Action''.</ref> The project teaches 8,000 students in 72 Ghanaian schools, and is Sub-Saharan Africa's first interactive distance-learning project.<ref>[http://thebftonline.com/content/dfid-gives-green-light-first-interactive-distance-learning-project "DFID gives green light to first interactive distance-learning project"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804183429/http://thebftonline.com/content/dfid-gives-green-light-first-interactive-distance-learning-project |date=4 August 2014 }}. ''Business & Financial Times''. 15 May 2014.</ref>

In [[Saudi Arabia]], via the Oxford Partnership, GEMS Education Solutions co-manages three newly built women's vocational colleges.<ref>[http://www.eyeofriyadh.com/news/details/1396530794- "The Oxford Partnership chosen for Saudi 'Colleges of Excellence'"]. ''Eye of Riyadh''. 4 April 2014.</ref> The three-year diploma programmes include training in [[Information technology|IT]], communication, basic sciences, and English language, before moving onto specialisation and on-the-job training.<ref>Smith, Beckie. [http://thepienews.com/news/uk-providers-win-850m-education-contracts-saudi-arabia/ "UK consortia win £850m college contracts in Saudi Arabia"]. ''The Pie''. 15 April 2014.</ref>

⚫
===Varkey Foundation===
⚫
In 2010, he created the [[Varkey Foundation]] (initially the Varkey GEMS Foundation) as the philanthropic arm of GEMS. [[Bill Clinton]] launched the foundation.<ref name=hamdan /><ref name=kerr /><ref>George, Joseph. [http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/bill-clinton-launches-varkey-gems-foundation-2010-12-13-1.328657 "Bill Clinton launches Varkey GEMS Foundation"]. ''[[Emirates 24/7]]''. 13 December 2010.</ref> The foundation has partnered with [[UNESCO]].<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/factsheets_ed/ke_EDFactSheet.pdf "UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education – One Year On"]. [[UNESCO]]. May 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/partners-donors/the-actions/education/education-to-bolster-girls-and-womens-education-and-teacher-training/ "UNESCO partners with GEMS Education to bolster Girls’ and women’s education and teacher training"]. [[UNESCO]] – Partners & Donors.</ref><ref>Anderson, Jenny. [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/22/world/unesco-in-partnership-to-train-school-principals-in-3-nations.html?_r=0 "Unesco in Partnership to Train School Principals in 3 Nations"]. ''[[New York Times]]''. 22 September 2011.</ref>

⚫
[[File:MacriconSunnyVarkey.jpg|thumb|Argentine president [[Mauricio Macri]] met with Varkey (third from left) at the [[World Economic Forum]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=President Macri begins activities in Davos |url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/207105/president-macri-begins-activities-in-davos |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Buenosairesherald.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Macri steps onto Davos stage |url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/207023/macri-steps-onto-davos-stage |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Buenosairesherald.com}}</ref>]]
⚫
===Varkey Group===
⚫
Varkey founded the Varkey Group in 1979. It is the umbrella organisation covering GEMS Education and Varkey's other businesses.<ref>[http://www.mediclinic.ae/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=334 "Mediclinic to Acquire Remaining Interests in EHL"]. ''Mediclinic.ae''. 27 August 2012.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20140406051423/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=22932875 Varkey Group Limited] – Company Overview at ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]''.</ref> In 1984 Varkey founded Welcare, a healthcare company.<ref name="kerr" /><ref name="ehl">[http://fmc-oman.com/PageContent.aspx?pageid=547&groupid=1 EHL Management Services]. First Medical Centre.</ref> A controlling interest in Emirates Healthcare, the Varkey Group's umbrella company which held Welcare, was purchased by [[Mediclinic International]] in 2012.<ref name="kerr" /><ref name="ehl" /><ref>Kahn, Tamar. [http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/health/2012/08/27/mediclinic-to-buy-out-dubai-minorities "Mediclinic to buy out Dubai minorities"]. ''[[Business Day (South Africa)|Business Day]]''. 27 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2009/01/27/government-of-india-honours-sunny-varkey-with-padmashri-award/ "Government of India Honours Sunny Varkey with Padmashri Award"]. ''Dubai Chronicle''. 27 January 2009.</ref>


==Honors==
==Honors==
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*Honorary Order – Public Recognition award from the Government of Russia (2011)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZwCHMmKKXbEC&pg=PT51 "Government of Russia honors Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS Education"]. ''India Empire''. March 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.zawya.com/story/Government20Russia20Sunny20_20of20Education-ZAWYA20110221060907/ "Government of Russia honors Sunny Varkey – Chairman of GEMS Education"]. ''[[Zawya]]''. 21 February 2011.</ref>
*Honorary Order – Public Recognition award from the Government of Russia (2011)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZwCHMmKKXbEC&pg=PT51 "Government of Russia honors Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS Education"]. ''India Empire''. March 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.zawya.com/story/Government20Russia20Sunny20_20of20Education-ZAWYA20110221060907/ "Government of Russia honors Sunny Varkey – Chairman of GEMS Education"]. ''[[Zawya]]''. 21 February 2011.</ref>
*Middle East Excellence CEO of the Year – Knowledge Development and Education Partnership (2012)<ref>[http://www.meawards.com/awardsgallery2.asp?gallery_Id=45 9th Middle East CEO of the Year Awards, April 4, 2012]. Middle East Excellence Awards.</ref>
*Middle East Excellence CEO of the Year – Knowledge Development and Education Partnership (2012)<ref>[http://www.meawards.com/awardsgallery2.asp?gallery_Id=45 9th Middle East CEO of the Year Awards, April 4, 2012]. Middle East Excellence Awards.</ref>
*[[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]] (2012)<ref name="goodwill">[http://www.unesco.org/new/en/goodwill-ambassadors/sunny-varkey/ Goodwill Ambassadors – Sunny Varkey]. ''UNESCO.org''. Retrieved 13 September 2017.</ref><ref>[http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2012/05/01/sunny_varkey_as_goodwill_ambassador_of_unesco/in2-583251 "Sunny Varkey as Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO"]. ''[[Vatican Radio]]''. 5 January 2012.</ref>
*[[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]] (2012)<ref name=goodwill /><ref>[http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2012/05/01/sunny_varkey_as_goodwill_ambassador_of_unesco/in2-583251 "Sunny Varkey as Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO"]. ''[[Vatican Radio]]''. 5 January 2012.</ref>
*Education Business Leader of the Year, ''Gulf Business'' Industry Awards (2012)<ref>Churchill, Neil. [http://gulfbusiness.com/2012/09/gulf-business-awards-winners/#.U0S6Nflr4yo "REVEALED: The Gulf Business Industry Awards Winners 2012"]. ''Gulf Business''. 25 September 2012.</ref>
*Education Business Leader of the Year, ''Gulf Business'' Industry Awards (2012)<ref>Churchill, Neil. [http://gulfbusiness.com/2012/09/gulf-business-awards-winners/#.U0S6Nflr4yo "REVEALED: The Gulf Business Industry Awards Winners 2012"]. ''Gulf Business''. 25 September 2012.</ref>
*Honorary Doctorate, [[Heriot-Watt University]] (2012)<ref>[http://mid-east.info/sunny-varkey-receives-heriot-watt-honorary-degree-in-presence-of-his-highness-sheikh-nahyan-mabarak-al-nahayan-2118/ "Sunny Varkey Receives Heriot-Watt Honorary Degree in presence of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahayan"]. ''Mid East Information''. 22 November 2012.</ref>
*Honorary Doctorate, [[Heriot-Watt University]] (2012)<ref>[http://mid-east.info/sunny-varkey-receives-heriot-watt-honorary-degree-in-presence-of-his-highness-sheikh-nahyan-mabarak-al-nahayan-2118/ "Sunny Varkey Receives Heriot-Watt Honorary Degree in presence of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahayan"]. ''Mid East Information''. 22 November 2012.</ref>
Line 85: Line 79:


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Varkey lives in [[Dubai]]. He is married. He has two sons, Dino and Jay, who have leadership roles in [[GEMS Education]].<ref name=kerr /><ref name=block /><ref>[http://www.gemseducation.com/MENASA/parents/contents.php?pageid=21 Members of the Board: Dino Varkey]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref><ref>[http://www.gemseducation.com/MENASA/parents/contents.php?pageid=22 Members of the Board: Jay Varkey]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref> Varkey's sister, Susan Mathews, runs pre-schools.<ref name=davidson>Davidson, Sean. [http://www.emirates247.com/eb247/economy/uae-economy/the-bottom-line-is-vital-losses-are-not-an-option-2009-04-11-1.96595 "The bottom line is vital. Losses are not an option"]. ''[[Emirates 24/7]]''. 11 April 2009.</ref>
Varkey lives in [[Dubai]]. He is married and has two sons, Dino and Jay, who have taken leadership roles in [[GEMS Education]], allowing him to focus on his philanthropic foundation.<ref name=kerr /><ref name=block>Rai, Saritha. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/saritharai/2014/04/02/chalk-a-block/ "Billionaire Education Entrepreneur Varkey Takes His Dubai School Chain Worldwide"]. ''[[Forbes]]''. 2 April 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.gemseducation.com/MENASA/parents/contents.php?pageid=21 Members of the Board: Dino Varkey]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref><ref>[http://www.gemseducation.com/MENASA/parents/contents.php?pageid=22 Members of the Board: Jay Varkey]. ''GEMSeducation.com''.</ref> Varkey's sister, Susan Mathews, runs pre-schools, and his wife and mother have both offered advice on the GEMS family business.<ref name=davidson>Davidson, Sean. [http://www.emirates247.com/eb247/economy/uae-economy/the-bottom-line-is-vital-losses-are-not-an-option-2009-04-11-1.96595 "The bottom line is vital. Losses are not an option"]. ''[[Emirates 24/7]]''. 11 April 2009.</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature & education]]
[[Category:Kerala diaspora]]
[[Category:Kerala diaspora]]
[[Category:21st-century philanthropists]]
[[Category:21st-century philanthropists]]

Latest revision as of 05:46, 20 November 2024

Sunny Varkey
Varkey in 2015
Born (1957-04-09) 9 April 1957 (age 67)[1]
Ranni, Kerala, India
Occupations
  • Entrepreneur
  • Educationist
  • Philanthropist
Known forGEMS Education
Varkey Foundation
Children2

Sunny Varkey (born 9 April 1957)[1][2] is an Indian education entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Dubai. He is the founder and executive chairman of the global advisory and educational management firm GEMS Education, which is the largest operator of private kindergarten-to-grade-12 schools in the world, with a network of over 80 schools in over a dozen countries.[3][4]

He is also the chairman of the umbrella business organisation the Varkey Group, and the founder and trustee of the philanthropic Varkey Foundation. As of 2012, Varkey is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.[5] And in June 2015, Varkey committed to The Giving Pledge, vowing to donate at least half of his money to philanthropic causes over his lifetime. He is the first education entrepreneur to join the pledge.[6]

According to Forbes, Varkey is one of India's richest billionaires with a net worth of $3.5 billion.[7]

Early life and education

[edit]

Varkey was born in Ranni, Kerala, India in 1957.[1] His father, K. S. Varkey, and mother, Mariamma, were Kerala Syrian Christians, and educators.[8][9] The family moved to Dubai in 1959, when the emirate was still very undeveloped.[10] His father worked for British Bank of the Middle East (now called HSBC Bank Middle East), and both of his parents taught English to local Arabs, including members of the royal family.[9][11][12]

At the age of four, Sunny was sent back to Kerala to attend Infant Jesus Anglo-Indian Boys' School, a Catholic boarding school in Kollam city.[13][14] When he was 11 years old, he sold fruit on the side of the road to make a little extra money.[9] He and his elder sister returned to Dubai in 1970,[15][16] and Sunny completed his O-Levels at St. Mary's Catholic High School.[11][15] He pursued his A-Levels at Bembridge School in the UK for a year,[11][17] and completed his A-Levels in Dubai at the British Council.[15]

Career

[edit]

GEMS Education

[edit]

Varkey's parents founded Our Own English High School in Dubai in 1968.[10][16] Varkey returned to Dubai in 1977,[11] and his employment included work at Standard Chartered bank,[1] opening a small trading company and a maintenance company, becoming part owner of the Dubai Plaza Hotel, and entering the healthcare industry.[8][9][10][11][14]

When in 1980 local authorities insisted that his parents' Our Own English High School be housed in a purpose-built facility, Varkey took over the operation of the school, which had under 400 students at the time.[9] He dropped his other businesses, expanded the school, and added new schools as well.[11][14][15] The education situation in Dubai was ripe for expansion, since local schools were only for native Arabs, and the children of the ever-increasing number of expats needed education of their own.[15][16] Varkey opened Indian, Pakistani, and British schools,[16] and offered education under the different curricula: Indian (CBSE and ICSE), U.S., British, and later International Baccalaureate.[17][18][19]

In 2000 Varkey established Global Education Management Systems (GEMS), an advisory and educational management firm, in advance of his worldwide overseas expansion.[20] In 2003, he began opening GEMS schools in England and elsewhere.[8][21]

Varkey Foundation

[edit]

In December 2010, Varkey consolidated and structured his various donations and charitable initiatives by creating the Varkey Foundation (initially the Varkey GEMS Foundation) as the philanthropic arm of GEMS. The foundation intends to impact 100 impoverished children for every child enrolled at GEMS schools, via enrolment and education-access initiatives, worldwide teacher training programs, advocacy campaigns, and physical projects such as building classrooms, schools, and learning centres.[9][22][23] Bill Clinton launched the foundation.[9][14][24]

Argentine president Mauricio Macri met with Varkey (third from left) at the World Economic Forum in 2016.[25][26]

In March 2011, the foundation partnered with UNESCO for girls' education in Lesotho and Kenya, and donated $1,000,000 to the effort.[27][28] In September 2011, a further $1 million was pledged with UNESCO to train 10,000 school principals in India, Ghana, and Kenya.[9][29] In 2014, the foundation's Teacher Training Programme committed to train 250,000 teachers within 10 years in under-served communities across the world.[30]

In 2013, the Varkey Foundation helped launch the annual Global Education and Skills Forum, in partnership with UNESCO and the U.A.E. Ministry of Education.[31] Bill Clinton gave the inaugural keynote address.[32] At the second annual forum in March 2014, Varkey announced the Global Teacher Prize, a $1 million award to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession, to be presented at the third annual GESF in 2015.[33]

Varkey Group

[edit]

Varkey Group is the umbrella organisation covering GEMS Education and Varkey's other businesses, including healthcare and, previously, construction.[34] Varkey founded the company in 1979, and it is based in Dubai, with additional offices in the UK, U.S., and India.[35]

In 1984 Varkey founded Welcare, a healthcare consultancy and management venture which developed a number of hospitals and clinics.[14][36] A controlling interest in Emirates Healthcare, the Varkey Group's umbrella company which held Welcare, was purchased by Mediclinic International in 2012.[14][36][37][38] The sale of his healthcare sector allowed Varkey to focus on education and educational philanthropy.[9][14][39]

Honors

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Varkey lives in Dubai. He is married and has two sons, Dino and Jay, who have taken leadership roles in GEMS Education, allowing him to focus on his philanthropic foundation.[14][53][54][55] Varkey's sister, Susan Mathews, runs pre-schools, and his wife and mother have both offered advice on the GEMS family business.[56]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d McNicholas, Mona Parikh; Raj, Frank. "Sunny Varkey: Profit & Excellence In Education Go Hand In Hand". The International Indian. 2008: Issue 5, Volume 15.5. pp. 56–60.
  2. ^ "The Varkey Foundation". OpenGovUK.com. Companies House. Retrieved 16 August 2019
  3. ^ Sunny Varkey – Profile at Forbes.
  4. ^ List of Our Schools. GEMSeducation.com.
  5. ^ a b Goodwill Ambassadors – Sunny Varkey. UNESCO.org. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  6. ^ Coughlan, Sean (2 June 2015). "Education entrepreneur joins Gates giving pledge". BBC News. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  7. ^ "India's 100 Richest". Forbes. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Woodward, Will. "Business class". The Guardian. 12 December 2005.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hamdan, Sara. "Building an Education Empire". Global Citizen. July/August 2012.
  10. ^ a b c "Education for profit in the Arab world". United Arab Emirates: NRI Internet. 7 December 2004.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Bhatia, Asha. "Early days of Varkey schools: it was a management challenge". Gulf News. 9 March 2001.
  12. ^ Peschardt's Business People – Segment: Sunny Varkey. Peschardt's People. BBC TV. 9 April 2010.
  13. ^ "PRODUCING INTELLECTUAL ELITES BY PROVIDING JOYFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE". 24 July 2015.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h Kerr, Simeon. "School rooms for everyone". Financial Times. 18 June 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e Hui, Kok Xing. "Grad of the school of hard knocks". Today. 14 September 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d Guttenplan, D. D. "Entrepreneur Seeks to Offer High-Quality Education at Fraction of Cost". New York Times. 26 May 2013.
  17. ^ a b Vijayakumar, Sanjay. "Sunny Varkey banks on Centum Learning to revive India business". The Economic Times. 6 September 2012.
  18. ^ Lewis, Kathryn. "The man who built an education empire". The National. 13 September 2008.
  19. ^ Sharif, Arif. "World’s Biggest Private School Operator GEMS Seeks $1 Billion". Bloomberg. 27 March 2013.
  20. ^ Zachariahs, Candice. "The McSchool revolution". The Economic Times. 24 September 2004.
  21. ^ "No-Frills Public Schools: Independants' [sic] Day". NRI Internet. 22 January 2005.
  22. ^ Varkey Foundation – Projects Archived 9 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine. VarkeyFoundation.org.
  23. ^ "Schools for good". GEMSeducation.com. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  24. ^ George, Joseph. "Bill Clinton launches Varkey GEMS Foundation". Emirates 24/7. 13 December 2010.
  25. ^ "President Macri begins activities in Davos". Buenos Aires Herald. 20 January 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Macri steps onto Davos stage". Buenos Aires Herald. 19 January 2016. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  27. ^ "UNESCO Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education – One Year On". UNESCO. May 2012.
  28. ^ "UNESCO partners with GEMS Education to bolster Girls’ and women’s education and teacher training". UNESCO – Partners & Donors.
  29. ^ Anderson, Jenny. "Unesco in Partnership to Train School Principals in 3 Nations". New York Times. 22 September 2011.
  30. ^ "Dubai Cares partners with Varkey GEMS Foundation to train and develop teachers across the developing world". Zawya. 16 March 2014.
  31. ^ Buller, Alice. "Exclusive Interview: GEMS Chairman Sunny Varkey Talks Profits And Philanthropy". Gulf Business. 3 July 2013.
  32. ^ Prois, Jessica. "Bill Clinton: Educating Underserved Girls Is 'Deeply Human Drama' Of This Century". Huffington Post. 15 March 2013.
  33. ^ Shapiro, Jordan. "Now There's A Davos Of Education And A $1 Million 'Nobel Prize' For Teachers". Forbes. 22 March 2014.
  34. ^ "Mediclinic to Acquire Remaining Interests in EHL". Mediclinic.ae. 27 August 2012.
  35. ^ Varkey Group Limited – Company Overview at Bloomberg Businessweek.
  36. ^ a b EHL Management Services. First Medical Centre.
  37. ^ Kahn, Tamar. "Mediclinic to buy out Dubai minorities". Business Day. 27 August 2012.
  38. ^ "Government of India Honours Sunny Varkey with Padmashri Award". Dubai Chronicle. 27 January 2009.
  39. ^ "Varkey Group exits hospital business to focus on education". MEED. 28 August 2012.
  40. ^ "At the Summit". Prestige. March 2008.
  41. ^ "CEO Middle East Awards 2007". Arabian Business. 24 October 2007.
  42. ^ "Varkey named outstanding Asian businessman". Trade Arabia. 9 December 2007.
  43. ^ "GEMS chairman receives top award". Trade Arabia. 1 September 2008.
  44. ^ "Saif, Lara Dutta get Rajiv Gandhi award". Hindustan Times. 18 August 2008.
  45. ^ "Indian President presents Padma Shri Award to Sunny Varkey, Founder & Chairman of GEMS Education". Al Bawaba. 31 March 2009.
  46. ^ "Government of Russia honors Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS Education". India Empire. March 2011.
  47. ^ "Government of Russia honors Sunny Varkey – Chairman of GEMS Education". Zawya. 21 February 2011.
  48. ^ 9th Middle East CEO of the Year Awards, April 4, 2012. Middle East Excellence Awards.
  49. ^ "Sunny Varkey as Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO". Vatican Radio. 5 January 2012.
  50. ^ Churchill, Neil. "REVEALED: The Gulf Business Industry Awards Winners 2012". Gulf Business. 25 September 2012.
  51. ^ "Sunny Varkey Receives Heriot-Watt Honorary Degree in presence of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahayan". Mid East Information. 22 November 2012.
  52. ^ "Asian Awards 2018: Recognition with Lots of Glitz and Glamour". Desiblitz. 29 April 2018.
  53. ^ Rai, Saritha. "Billionaire Education Entrepreneur Varkey Takes His Dubai School Chain Worldwide". Forbes. 2 April 2014.
  54. ^ Members of the Board: Dino Varkey. GEMSeducation.com.
  55. ^ Members of the Board: Jay Varkey. GEMSeducation.com.
  56. ^ Davidson, Sean. "The bottom line is vital. Losses are not an option". Emirates 24/7. 11 April 2009.
[edit]
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