- H. H. Sheikh Mohammed honours Varkey Group at its 50th anniversary and commends work done by GEMS Education
- Global education brand is ‘proud to fly the flag for Dubai’
Dubai - GEMS Education, part of the Dubai-based Varkey Group which celebrated its 50th anniversary of doing business in Dubai at a special event on Thursday, January 7, 2010, announced an ambitious international expansion plan aiming to provide quality education to five million students across the world by 2024.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, who was the guest of honour at the event, commended the role played by the Varkey family in contributing to building private education and healthcare infrastructure across the UAE. The Varkey Group includes the private K12 education operator GEMS Education besides healthcare brands Welcare and City Hospitals.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, several UAE Ministers, dignitaries and guests attended the gala event held at the Madinat Jumeirah.
Speaking at the event, His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said: “This is an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of the Varkey family over the last fifty years. We celebrate them as individuals as well as their strong commitment to education.”
“Sunny Varkey’s parents, who arrived in Dubai fifty years ago, played such a pivotal role in providing educational opportunities for residents of the UAE. Over the course of their distinguished careers, they challenged young minds and made their schools exciting places for learning. They established important traditions and promoted high standards. We honour their lasting contributions to our national quest for excellent education for all,” His Highness Sheikh Nahyan added.
GEMS Education currently provides high quality schooling for more than 100,000 students from 125 countries across three continents. The 2024 expansion plan sets out ambitious targets for growth over the next 14 years, with the company aiming to provide education for five million students globally by 2024.
Mr Sunny Varkey, Chairman of the Varkey Group, extended his thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Royal Maktoum family for their role in enabling the company to grow from a single school founded by Mr Varkey’s parents into a world leader in private education and healthcare provision today.
Mr. Varkey said: “We thank His Highness for making Dubai the place from which the Varkey Group has been able to grow and expand across the world. The Royal Maktoum Family has long held that ‘What is good for business is good for Dubai’. It is a philosophy that has made the emirate a magnet for entrepreneurs and allowed people from across the world to secure success from a combination of hard work and determination. The Varkey Group is proud to be a global brand built and based in Dubai.
“His Highness has taught us to aim ever higher – which is why we plan to spread our wings across new markets and become the undisputed global pioneer and the number one education brand in the world. With our 2024 expansion plan we are flying the flag for Dubai and for the UAE as a pioneering international business.”
Mr Varkey also took the opportunity to extend his thanks to the Royal Families of each of the Emirates as well as the Government of the UAE for their support, and to the large number of UAE Nationals and expatriates who have partnered with his family achieve success and growth over five decades. “Our staff, parents and our students are our true heroes and in fact our real legacy. Our students will create a new future that will make our city of Dubai a place for entrepreneurs like me to dream, dare and do,” Mr. Varkey concluded.
