GEMS education

Press release

Published September 2nd, 2012 - 11:46 GMT

Al Bawaba

GEMS Education has become the first company in the UAE to become a Global Growth Company Partner as part of the World Economic Forum and is one of just 23 Partner companies worldwide. There are only three GGC Partner companies in the Middle East.

GEMS Education is the only kindergarten to Grade 12 private education provider in the world to be a member of the World Economic Forum.

The Head of Membership at the World Economic Forum, Rodolfo Lara said, “The World Economic Forum is delighted to have GEMS Education as a partner of our Community of Global Growth Companies, among the most dynamic growing companies in the world.As an innovator in the field of education they have proven how the private sector can raise standards and contribute to society as a whole.Given their leading role in K-12 education, we believe that they will make a valuable contribution to the community.”

Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education, Sunny Varkey says: “We are incredibly proud and honoured to become a Global Growth Company Partner as part of the World Economic Forum. As a Dubai born brand, which is exporting high quality education to the world, our success would not have been possible had it not been for the support and vision from the UAE Government. We look forward to contributing, in a meaningful way, to discussions relating to the future of education so that every child has an equal opportunity to receive a quality education no matter what their economic, religious or cultural circumstances.”

Becoming a GGC Partner now means GEMS will be invited to attend the World Economic Forum’s marquis annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

According to the World Economic Forum: Global Growth Company ‘Partners’ are among the most influential and successful companies within their industries. These companies are well respected in their home markets and have grown successfully beyond their borders since their inception.

GGC Partners are exceptionally committed to the mission of the World Economic Forum and contribute actively to the Forum’s projects and initiatives.

Over the past three years GEMS has been proud to contribute its expertise to the Forum’ through important discussions on education issues. The CEO of GEMS Education Solutions, Chris Kirk, has joined the Forum’s Global Agenda Council of leading experts on Youth Unemployment.

Background Information

In 1959, two teachers, KS Varkey and his wife Mariamma, arrived in Dubai.

At the time, Dubai was a burgeoning trade centre on the Arabian Gulf. The Varkey family had left Kerala, India to seek a better life for their family. What they found was a real need to educate children arriving in the city from around the world.

Their son, Sunny, added a visionary’s ambition to a practitioner's experience. From simple roots in a family of teachers, GEMS Education, is today an international company with schools and education services across the Middle East. We still share the same mission - to provide a quality education to everyone.