Sunny Varkey
Encyclopedia
Sunny Varkey began the Varkey Group in 1980 with 'Our Own English High School'. Since 1980, the organisation has since evolved to include a number of schools internationally. The Varkey group has also grown to include separate divisions in healthcare and construction
in addition to their large role in education
under the title GEMS Education.
operator in the world for students from kindergarten
to grade 12. There are over 100,000 students in GEMS Education schools from well over 100 countries. GEMS employs a staff of approximately 9,000 people.
GEMS has become a global entity and is split into four subsections accordingly: GEMS UK, GEMS Americas, GEMS PREACH, and GEMS MENASA.
The Varkey Group also has a construction branch that operates under the name 'Chicago Maintenance Company', though it is expected that this name will be changed to SAMMON VG. This branch of the organisation is said to provide construction services and facilities management.
donations. In 2007, he pledged approximately $30 million to Dubai Cares
, a United Arab Emirates
-based philanthropic institution originally founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai). In November 2009, Varkey donated an additional AED10 million.
Mr. Varkey has been credited with donating more than $50 million in contributions to charitable causes over the years.
Additionally, he was honoured with the Padma Shri
award by the Government of India
. This is one of the 'highest civilian awards' the Indian government presents, and Varkey is part of a 'select list of non-resident Indians' to be recognised with this award. Varkey was selected for the award as a result of 'his outstanding contribution to education and social service'.
2002: Named 'One of the Top 50 Non-Resident Indians in the World'
2007: CEO Middle East Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
2007: Global Indian Business Award
2008: Rajiv Gandhi Award for Eminent Educationists
2008: Most Outstanding Businessmen of the Year by Asian Businessman Awards, Middle East
2009: Padmashri Award
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
in addition to their large role in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
under the title GEMS Education.
GEMS Education
GEMS Education is the largest private schoolPrivate school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
operator in the world for students from kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
to grade 12. There are over 100,000 students in GEMS Education schools from well over 100 countries. GEMS employs a staff of approximately 9,000 people.
GEMS has become a global entity and is split into four subsections accordingly: GEMS UK, GEMS Americas, GEMS PREACH, and GEMS MENASA.
Other Varkey Group Activities
In 1998 Mr. Varkey extended the activities of the Varkey Group to the field in healthcare.The Varkey Group also has a construction branch that operates under the name 'Chicago Maintenance Company', though it is expected that this name will be changed to SAMMON VG. This branch of the organisation is said to provide construction services and facilities management.
Social and charitable activities
Varkey has received a fair amount of recognition for his philanthropicPhilanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
donations. In 2007, he pledged approximately $30 million to Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares is a humanitarian initiative that seeks to provide children in developing countries with access to quality primary education. It was launched in September 2007 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, and the Ruler of...
, a United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
-based philanthropic institution originally founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai). In November 2009, Varkey donated an additional AED10 million.
Mr. Varkey has been credited with donating more than $50 million in contributions to charitable causes over the years.
Additionally, he was honoured with the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
award by the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
. This is one of the 'highest civilian awards' the Indian government presents, and Varkey is part of a 'select list of non-resident Indians' to be recognised with this award. Varkey was selected for the award as a result of 'his outstanding contribution to education and social service'.
Awards and Recognitions
2001: Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Welfare Prize2002: Named 'One of the Top 50 Non-Resident Indians in the World'
2007: CEO Middle East Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
2007: Global Indian Business Award
2008: Rajiv Gandhi Award for Eminent Educationists
2008: Most Outstanding Businessmen of the Year by Asian Businessman Awards, Middle East
2009: Padmashri Award