Sunny Varkey Receives Heriot-Watt Honorary Degree in presence of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahayan

Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan,
Sunny Varkey, Ammar Kaka & Steve Chapman

Dubai, UAE: November 22, 2012:  In the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan,  UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr Sunny Varkey,  Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education, has been awarded an honorary  degree (Doctor of the University) by Heriot-Watt University. The award is  made in recognition of his contribution and achievements in the development  and accessibility of education internationally.  Mr Varkey received the award in recognition for his work from Professor Steve  Chapman, Principal and Vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, at the  Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus 2012 graduation ceremony. Professor  Chapman said, "I was delighted to confer this honour on Sunny Varkey who  is a visionary entrepreneur in the field of education.

Sunny Varley

Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan

He has developed a  formula for creating schools of excellence, delivering an enterprising blend of  high quality education. At the heart of his vision is a passionate belief that all  children have a right to a quality education and his philanthropic commitments  have helped improve the lives of thousands.”  Sunny Varkey has been a key figurehead in the development of education  in the UAE, forging alliances between education and entrepreneurship  internationally through GEMS Education. He has developed a global network  of award-winning international schools, which span nine countries, reaching  110,000 students from 151 different nationalities. The GEMS school model  is unique in the world because it offers a range of private schools from  affordable to premium. also provides support to improve the quality of  education in government schools globally. He is also responsible for directing  the activities of the Varkey GEMS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of GEMS  Education. The Foundations aim is to impact 100 underprivileged children for  every child enrolled in a GEMS school. The Foundations Honorary Chair is  former US President, Bill Clinton.  Professor Ammar Kaka, Vice-Principal, Dubai Campus and Head of Heriot-  Watt University Dubai Campus, said, “Today Heriot-Watt University joins  many other organisations in recognising the enormous contribution Sunny  Varkey has made to global education."  Sunny Varkey joins Professor Peter Higgs and a number of other  distinguished individuals who received honorary degrees at Heriot-Watt  Unversity’s Edinburgh Campus this month. A full listing of the honorary  graduates can be found online at www.hw.ac.uk